Page 61 of The Playbook

I knew if I ever tasted her on my lips it would change everything. And it had.

I brushed a lock of hair away from her face. “It’s OK, Gracie.”

“Promise?” she whispered, peering up at me, her green eyes wavering.

My heart ached. I couldn’t hurt her. Ryan was right. She was too good. And I was head over fucking heels for her.

“I swear it,” I murmured, my chest tight with the realization.

She wasmine. But how do I tell her?

You don’t. You tell Andy he wins and then do the walk of shame. It’s worth it. Then she’ll never need to know this all started as a bet.

Seemed like sound self-advice. I’d take it until I figured out something better.

Grace relaxed against me fully, her hand splayed over my abs before she quickly withdrew it against her chest and formed a small fist.

I reached out and took her hand. Gently, I pried open her fingers and flattened them against my stomach.

“I like when you touch me,” I murmured.

“Logan, we can’t—”

“Shh,” I silenced her, my insides a mass of writhing snakes. “Don’t finish that sentence. We can do anything we want to do.Anything, Gracie. If you want to touch me, you can. Kiss me? Hug me? Squeeze me? Yes. You don’t need to ever fucking ask.”

“But we’re friends,” she whispered, drawing her fingers back to her palm, her nails raking along my skin.

I rested my hand over hers, keeping it on my body and squeezed my eyes closed to compose myself.

“We are.Ifthat’s what you want.”

She was silent for so long that I thought she’d fallen asleep on me.

“I-I don’t know what I want. There are so many reasons we shouldn’t. . . My dad would be so pissed at me. People at school won’t like it. Nikki—she fucking hates me. You were with her. I-I thought you two still were off and on—”

“I can talk to your dad.Wecan. And I don’t give a damn what people at school think. As for Nikki, that’s over. So, it’s not an issue. I don’t want her. I wantyou, Grace. Only you.” The moment the words were out of my mouth, relief swept through me. I’d done it. I’d said it.

“You’re insane,” she whispered.

“You’re the cure,” I answered back.

“Or the disease.”

I laughed softly, my nerves making my hands shake as I reached down and tilted her chin up to kiss her. “Be mine.”

Her gaze darted from my eyes to my lips then back to my eyes. Time seemed to stand still as I held my breath, waiting for her answer.

“Don’t hurt me.”

“Never,” I vowed, silently praying she never found out about the bet. If I could help it, no harm would ever come to her.

“We can’t tell anyone. Not yet anyway. I-I need to warm my dad up to the idea of it first. OK?”

I nodded and breathed again. “OK.”

She licked her lips. My dick twitched to life in my pants.

“Are you my girl, Grace Matthews?”

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