Page 85 of The Enemy Face Off

I tap my chin, thinking about it. "Okay. Equal best thing. Sorry. I have the most beautiful girl sitting on my lap, so you'll have to forgive me if my cognitive function is slightly impaired."

Her cheeks get dusted by the cutest blush I've ever seen.

She leans down, and we kiss.

Being called beautiful might be a new thing for her, and I'm going to have to walk a fine line between telling her how I feel without making her self-conscious or uncomfortable.

"There's something I should tell you," she says, her tone shifting as she climbs off my lap and perches herself next to me on the sofa.

"Go on."

"I'm a virgin."

"Okay." I run my hand through my hair. I suspected she was, so it's not exactly a shock. "I'm…not."

"Having children was kind of a giveaway." She bites her lip. "But is that a problem for you?"

"Why would it be a problem?"

She shrugs and looks away. "I don't know. Some guys?—"

"Ahem."

Her eyes meet mine, and her grin returns. "You're notsome guys, I know."

I nod decisively. "I've worked extremely hard to establish my weirdo status with you, thank you very much. Please don't take it away from me."

"Stop. It."

I angle myself so that I'm facing her and take her hands in mine. "Beth, it's honestly not an issue for me."

"It doesn't change how you see me?"

"Of course not. Why would it?" She opens her mouth, and I bring my finger to her lips. "If whatever you're about to say includes the termsome guys, I'm afraid there will be a punishment."

Her eyes shine with amusement. "Oh, will there now?"

"There will. I may just be forced to kiss you."

"You're saying your kisses are so bad that they're a punishment?"

"Er, wait." I chuckle. "Maybe I didn't think that one through."

"You're allowed a pass after what you did today."

I shrug it off, not wanting to make it a bigger deal than it is. Culver and my teammates did the same thing. I think most people in the same situation would.

I glance at her. I'm glad she's opening up to me, and I hope it's a sign she feels safe and trusts me. And I like that we canhave a serious conversation in a lighthearted way. But there is something I need to know.

I gently lift her chin, guiding her eyes until they meet mine. "What do you need from me?"

The ball's in her court.

It has to be. She's in control here. I want her to know that.

She takes a moment to think about it before replying, "Time, I guess?"

"You got it," I say straight away.

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