Page 118 of The Rookie

About the game.

About what I said.

I can see it—the way her fingers keep fidgeting, the way she’s biting her lip, the way she keeps her gaze locked ahead, like looking at me would be dangerous.

And maybe she’s right.

Because if she looks at me, she’ll know exactly what’s on my mind.

She’ll see that I meant it.

That this isn’t just a game to me.

That I want her.

And I’m pretty sure—no, I’m positive—she wants me too.

But she’s too stubborn to admit it.

So, I decide to push her.

Just a little.

I lean down, my voice low, brushing against her ear.

"So…are you thinking about it?"

I smirk, catching her elbow to steady her.

“Thinking about what?” I quip.

Her breath hitches. I feel it more than I hear it.

She forces a laugh, shaking her head, way too casual. “Uhhh…that game of never have I ever. I mean, I knew you were a virgin obviously, but the whole ‘never having been gone down on thing, I just…”

I can see the gears turning.

She’s stalling.

I can see it in the way her voice wavers, in the way she bites her lip, in the way she’s suddenly way too interested in the cobblestone street beneath her feet.

I press. Just a little.

“You just what?”

Her tongue darts out, swiping over her bottom lip. “I don’t know. I just… didn’t expect you to be so…”

She waves a hand vaguely.

I raise an eyebrow. “So what?”

She groans, throwing her head back. “Good at it, okay? Jesus, Knox. Now I feel like I’ve got to live up to that standard. You don’t have to look so smug.”

I can’t help it—a grin spreads across my face, slow and deliberate, as smug as she’s accusing me of being. “Oh, I absolutely do.”

She stops mid-step, throwing her hands up. “What will I do with you, Knox?”

I chuckle, stepping closer, letting my presence linger just enough to make her notice. “So tell me a fantasy of yours. Since apparently everyone has been adding to my list for me.”

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