Page 57 of Brazen Deceits

“Nah. There’s also delicious food, transcendent music, and gross smells. New York has it all. And I’m sure the rest of the world has tons of interesting stuff, and I can’t wait to see it, to experience it. There’s just so much out there, Clara, and I want it all.”

Feeling wine-bold, I snatch his glass from his hand, taking a slow drink from his cup. “I’m sure you’ll get everything you want, Walker.”

He watches my mouth as I lick a drip of wine from my lip. “I sure hope so,” he says.

We both take another bite of the pork, the meat falling off the bone, the knives we brought up totally unnecessary. Walker swallows, gazing out at the lake. I glance over my shoulder, the expanse of water slightly overwhelming.

“How about you?” he asks.

I stare at my plate. “Honestly? I’ve been to Iowa a few times to visit my mom’s parents. When I toured colleges, I got to see bits of Wisconsin, Indiana, and Missouri. Otherwise I haven’t been to many places. My favorite of that small list, though, is Lutsen, up on Lake Superior. I went a few times with Bryce’s family, and it’s a magical place.”

Walker’s fork pauses halfway to his mouth. “This is your first time in Chicago?”

I shrug. “This is the biggest city I’ve ever been to.”

Walker sets the fork back down. He strides around the table, dragging my chair to the same side as his, the view of the skyline on our left, the lake in front of us. He moves my plate and glass over too, tucking me back into my scavenged blanket, draping his arm over my shoulders. “If that’s the case, we have a secondary mission.”

I look up at him through my eyelashes, pouting. “And what is this secondary mission?”

“We are going to give you the full city experience.”

“And what exactlyisthe full city experience?”

Walker pulls me closer, his lips hovering right in front of mine. “It’s going to require public transit, way too much walking, and at least one night out dancing.”

My heart races at the mention of dancing. “You’re going to take me clubbing, Walker?”

“I am. Because you’re going to love it.”

And he’s right. I will.

“Tonight?” I ask.

Walker’s gaze locks on my lips. “Hmm. Maybe tomorrow.”

I shift a hairsbreadth closer, wanting this, hoping maybe if we could just remember how good we are together, we could be together. “Why wait?”

Our faces are so close, if either of us twitched, we’d be kissing. “I need time to get a couple of things in line, then we’re going to take this place by storm.”

I lick my lips, just to see, and Walker’s breath hitches, watching me. “In that case, what should we do tonight?”

Walker strokes up my arms, the sleeves of my blouse bunching and rolling under his hands. “I think we need to rest up from that long drive we had today.”

“Iamexhausted,” I say, my hands running over his chest, undoing the first few buttons of his coat. “Maybe we should just call it a night after this. Curl up, fall asleep, start fresh tomorrow.”

His lips feather against mine, the hint of a kiss. “Hmm. That is an option. What about a nice warm bath? We’d both sleep much better after a bath.”

I press my lips against his, the contact soft, cautious. “I love a good bath. They’re very relaxing.”

His eyes flutter closed for a moment, and he swallows, before taking my face in his hands, his thumbs running over the crest of my cheekbones, the edges of my lips. Studying me.

I want him. I shouldn’t, but I do. We haven’t fixed anything, and it’s already been two weeks. I may not be furious anymore, but I am hurt. Did what we have mean so little to him?

I mean, I said I wanted to keep things casual, but nothing about that night felt meaningless. Not to me. And the way he looked at me afterward? It wasn’t a fling for him, either. Only he demanded we stay fuck buddies, nothing more. Can I keep it casual? Is that really what he wants? Should I ask?

His mouth meets mine, thoughts scattering as he pulls my bottom lip into his mouth, his teeth sharp as he nips at it. I’m hot, tingling, and practically ready with that singular move. I don’t care. Not tonight. Tonight, we’re fixing things this way.

Skipping the forgive and going straight to the forget. Sure. Let’s do it.

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