Page 131 of Bad for Me

He huffs a laugh. “Well, I have to hand it to you on this one. You nearly converted me into a fan.”

I roll my eyes as I set the booklet to the side, but my smile is in full force as I tease him.

“I’m surprised another analysis ofPride and Prejudicewas impressive enough for your oh-so-difficult 102class. Has falling in love with Jane Austen turned you into a romantic, Professor Woods?”

The candle between us glitters in his cinnamon-brown eyes, and the shadows highlight the change in his expression from playful to sincere.

“If I’m a romantic, Miss Gable, it’s not because I fell in love with Jane Austen.”

My heart skips a beat completely. His gaze never leaves mine, cementing what he just implied. The uncertainty about the future of our relationship rears its ugly, insecure head, and I can’t help letting it win one last time.

“A-are you sure you’re not tipsy?” I whisper hoarsely.

He shakes his head, and relief, gratitude, and excitement fill my veins as he takes my hand. His thumb runs over my knuckles and we’re suddenly the only two people in the room. I can hear him over the clinking silverware, see him despite the dim light, and his simple touch on my hand feels more intimate than any other we’ve had. Every part of my body tunes into him, ready to remember everything he says next.

“I’ve never felt this way, Everly. You’re my sunshine in this foggy, Godforsaken world, and I refuseto go a day without feeling your warmth again. I want you to be mine, in every way.”

Hope fills my chest instantly, almost painfully, and tears prick behind my eyes. “You really mean that?”

“I do.” He reaches across the small table and brushes my cheek. His thumb leaves a damp trail, making me realize one of the little droplets of emotion escaped. “And now that we can be out in the open, Irefuseto go a day without you. Say you’ll do the same.” He smirks, sending a jolt of adoration where he’s still holding my cheek. “Even when I’m an asshole.”

A laugh chokes from my throat. “I won’t go a day without you, Woods. Especially when you’re an asshole. Because if that’s a condition on whether I stay with you or not, then we’ll never make it.”

“But we will.” The certainty in his promise lodges in my chest. “I love you, Everly Gable.”

My smile beams back at him. “I love you, Woods Rutherford.”

His gaze locks onto mine as his warm lips slowly press the back of my hand. The chaste kiss sends sensitive ripples of pleasure throughout my body, and I shiver. His sinful mouth quirks up into another smirk.

“Do you think everyone finally knows how ardently I love you?”

If I didn’t already know that Woods was the love of my life, partially quoting my favorite book just confirmed it. My smile has to be blinding as I nod.

“I’m sure someone will be submitting it to GravChat at any moment.”

And I hope they do. Rumors can’t hurt us anymore, and I no longer care what other people think of us.Iknow I’m his, and so does he. Honestly, that’s all that’s ever mattered.

“Good. Should we get out of here?” he asks.

My cheeks hurt as my lips widen, and I nod again.

“I thought you’d never ask.”

~ THE END ~

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