Page 58 of Captain's Claim

Her fingers curl into my sleeve, anchoring herself like I’m the only solid thing in the world. I could step back. Could put some space between us.

But I don’t.

"Your problem," she says, blinking up at me, completely unaware that my grip on her waist iswaytoo tight. "Is that you're all..." She waves a hand vaguely. "Big and broody."

I bite back a laugh. “Broody, huh? Is that right?”

“Mhmm.” She pokes my chest. “Like a tragic, hockey-playing vampire. Probably immortal.”

Okay, now I’m laughing.

“Avampire?”

She nods solemnly. “You know...mysterious. Too attractive for your own good.”

I let out a dry chuckle. "You done?"

"Nope." She tips her head up, dramatic as hell. "Do you sparkle in the sunlight, Maddox?"

I snort. "Jesus Christ, woman."

Oh, she’sdrunk-drunk.

I shake my head, gripping her waist a little tighter as she wobbles again. "I swear to God, Sophia. You’re worse than Logan after tequila shots.”

She gasps, horrified. “I’moffended. You take that back.”

I smirk. “Not a chance.”

She scowls up at me, her cheeks pink from the cold—or the alcohol. Probably both.

Snowflakes catch in her hair, the glow of the streetlamps making her eyes look bigger, warmer. She’s still gripping my sleeve, still pressed up against me like I’m the only thing keeping her upright.

And for a second - one stupid, reckless second - I forget.

I forget that I wanted her gone when she first showed up in Iron Ridge, that I saw her as nothing but a corporate suit here toruinmyteam. I forget that she’s supposed to be off-limits, that she’s too polished, too big-city, toonot for me.

Because right now, standing out here in the quiet, she’s none of those things.

Right now, she’s just soft and snuggly and looking up at me like I might be something more than a thorn in her side.

My fingers twitch against her waist.

“You’re thinking about kissing me, aren’t you?!”

Her voice is pure, delighted mischief, slicing straight through whatever moment just tried to happen.

I blink, startled out of my own damn head.

She grins, swaying slightly. “Youare! Oh my God, Blake, youlikeme.”

“I do not—”

“Go on then!” She puckers her lips in the most exaggerated, ridiculous way possible, sticking her face up toward me like a bad cartoon. “Kiss me. Sink thosefangsinto me, you big, grumpy vampire.”

Jesus Christ.

I scrub a hand down my face. "Wow. Just… wow."

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