Page 80 of Ever With Me

“Do it. Now.”

Brooks reached over and plucked her toward him, lifting her almost effortlessly. As her legs slid around his waist, clamping around him, he pushed her back against the door. Her arms slipped around his neck as their mouths connected, as though they had practiced this thousands of times.

The feeling of Brooks’s lips against her own sent a jolt of electricity spiraling through her, an involuntary moan curling through her throat as his lips claimed hers, unyielding in their pressure. She closed her eyes, her heart racing.

Their tongues collided, hungry, sensuously stroking.

Too real.

This feels too fucking real.

Oh my God, this man can kiss.

Heat flooded her face, her body taking over instinctively, as one of his hands slid up her back and cradled the nape of her neck, digging into her hair. Wrecking it. She didn’t care, though. His mouth felt incredible, the taste of him making her suddenly desperate for more.

Fuck.

I’m so into this.

She tried to will herself not to get too wrapped up in the moment—what the hell is taking Fred so long to open the goddamned door?—but she also didn’t want it to end. Her core turned to liquid, her body helpless as Brooks slid the other hand up the front of her shirt, his palm cupping one breast.

Yes. More.

A guttural sound came from her throat, and she swore Brooks chuckled—damn him—at the response.

Two can play, buddy.

She ground against his groin, twisting her hands into his short hair, his baseball cap falling off. At the feeling of his own hardening arousal, she almost moaned again.

Shit. Slow down, Maddie.

“. . . and that’s another thing. What’s the rush? You got your whole life ahead of you,”Fred Strickland was saying.

The throbbing rush of her pulse filled her ears. Brooks squeezed her breast.Fuck it.She moaned again, this time unashamedly.

The door opened, and they both went tumbling forward into the alleyway as Brooks tried to steady them from falling.

“What the hell?” Fred Strickland growled.

Face aflame, Maddie untangled her mouth and arms from Brooks, and he set her down. His neck was almost as red as her face felt.

Good.

She refocused her attention on Fred . . . and Gina, who stood beside him, both staring at her like she’d lost her damn mind. Which she probably had, let’s be honest.

“Mr. Strickland!” Maddie straightened her messed crop top, wishing she had enough fabric to cover her stomach. She combed her fingers through her hair, her knees feeling unsteady.

Damn Brooks and his passionate kisses.

“Um, I was showing my friend around all my favorite spots in Brandywood. You know, a trip down memory lane.” Her exit strategy no longer seemed like a great option, but if it got Brooks out of trouble, she’d take it.

Fred glared at her. “Yeah, you always were trashy. Get the fuck out of my store, Maddie. I ever catch you in here again for your perverted activities?—”

Gina leaned in suddenly, eyes glued to Brooks, and whispered something in her father’s ear.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Strickland,” Maddie said, taking the break to play nice. “We just got a bit carried away.”

Fred stared Brooks down, his scowl etched deeply on his brow.

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