Page 102 of Hit Me With Your Best Shot

Tilt my chin up so he can kiss me on the mouth in a proper hello, now that we’re settled in.

The kiss is soft, tentative at first, but it doesn’t stay that way for long. His hand moves to gently stroke the side of my face, thumb brushing against my cheek as he deepens the kiss. The warmth of his lips, the way he tastes faintly of mint from gum—it’s enough to make the rest of the world fade away.

He’s smiling, and it’s not the cocky grin I’ve gotten used to—it’s softer, genuine, and it sends a warmth straight to my chest.

“How was your day?” he asks, his voice low, like he’s afraid to break the moment.

I let out a small laugh, the kind that escapes when you’re caught off guard.

“It was fine—nothing exciting, which is always good. What about yours?”

He shrugs, pulling back and leaning into the couch cushions, taking my hand along with him and pressing his thumb into my palm, massaging it.

“Worked out. Had practice.” He pauses. “Went down to Nova’s after you left my place—she won’t be walking in on us any time soon. For the record, she thought it was hilarious.”

Great. At least one of us did.

My face immediately flushes at the memory of his sister seeing us having sex.

And before I can reply, Gio’s gaze flicks to my coffee table.

“Hold on—is that Connect Four?”

You bet your sweet ass it is.

I follow his line of sight to the game sitting neatly on thetable, the red and yellow pieces already half-filled from my last game against myself a while back.

“It is.” It’s a classic.

Gio untangles himself from me and leans forward to sort the pieces, sliding the tiny blue bar at the bottom, allowing all the chips to land on the table.

“Dude, I haven’t played this game in ages.”

Same. I like it because it looks cute on the table.

A fun talking point that no one actually plays; not that anyone besides Dolly and my other friends come over.

“I haven’t played in forever, either.”

Gio separates the yellow and red pieces into piles, his movements methodical. “Let’s do it.”

Click.

Click.

Click.

He stacks them neatly, sliding the yellow ones closer to my spot on the couch and I nod, moving to the edge of my seat.

“You’re on.”

“But let’s make it interesting.” He glances at me, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “StripConnect Four.”

I choke on the laugh that bursts out of me, shaking my head. “Will you stop at nothing to get me naked?”

His head shakes. “Obviously not. Any cheap way to get those pants off. Plus, it’s a chance for you to get me naked ‘cause I’m an equal opportunity streaker.”

I chew on my bottom lip,pretendingto consider it, knowing I’m game. “Alright,fine. But I’m not going easy on you.”

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