Page 20 of These Pucking Boys: Part Two

I wince, knowing I deserve the retort.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that.” June adds, looking at her feet.

“You’re right to be cross with me, lass. I should have come after you, but...”

“But she’s your ex-fiancée. I get it. There’s a lot of history there.”

“True, but that’s not why I got delayed. I had to tell her to leave me alone.”

“You did?” She looks up, her eyes hopeful.

I cup her cheek. “Yeah, I did.”

“You seemed so stunned to see her that I thought...”

“You thought what? That I still have feelings for her?”

“Yeah... I’d understand if that was the case.”

“Lass...” I press my forehead against hers. “Can’t you see that I only have eyes for you?”

“I hoped that was the case, but I didn’t know for sure. Besides, you just had a brush with death. That usually brings things into perspective.”

“It did.”

Winston barks, reminding me where we are. I was about to attack June’s mouth in the middle of downtown LA, where any arsehole with a camera could snap a picture of us. I pull back and lace my fingers with hers. “Let’s get back to the car. You aren’t walking home, and I want to tell you a story.”

“Is it a story with a happy ending?”

“That will depend.”

“On what?”

“On you, lass.”

JUNE

Lachy doesn’t say anything until we’re back in his car. I’m dying of curiosity and on pins and needles. My self-control is nonexistent, and no sooner does he drive out of the parking lot than I ask, “What’s the story?”

He chuckles. “Curious?”

“Yes, you did such a good job teasing me.”

“I’m very good at teasing.” His hand slides under my dress, diverting my attention to the sudden ache between my legs.

I push his hand away. “Don’t try to distract me. I want the story.”

“Okay, okay. But... you might not enjoy the beginning.”

“Why? Oh... is it about you and Lorena?”

“Yeah.”

I feel cold of all sudden. “Maybe I don’t want to know. I’m a firm believer that the past should stay in the past.”

“I agree, lass. And I’m not trying to hurt you, but I want you to know me, and for that, I have to tell you everything.”

The vulnerability in his voice tugs at my heartstrings. I look at his profile and see more than just a handsome face. Lachy is sweet, generous, and loyal. Falling in love with him was easy. It was inevitable.

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