Page 51 of Citius

“Not happening. It can’t.”

“Morgan—”

“You already figured out the secret of Nonna’s seven-layer dip. Any other infractions tonight, and I might just have to kill you.”

Cal was momentarily speechless, although his furrowed brow and the tight fist digging into his thigh spoke volumes. “You’re treating this like a joke?”

“Would you rather I call it a mistake?”

His expression hardened, and he turned away, striding around the front of the cab, long legs making quick work of the distance, yanking his cardigan off before climbing into the driver’s seat, revealing a t-shirt underneath.

I shut the passenger door and buckled in with far more composure.

Paid no mind to the thickness of his biceps as he tossed the cardigan on the seat between us, how his forearms flexed as he put on his seat belt, or how deftly he slid the keys into the ignition despite the tension in his grip.

One embrace wasnotenough to enamor me, even with Cal’s large, capable hands. Which I most definitely hadn’t been eyeing for weeks.

My touch-starved omega was simply taking a moment to remind me that she was a greedy bitch at heart.

That’s all. Nothing more.

“I started the drink war with Owen, you know.” Cal glanced over his shoulder and eased the truck onto the street.

As if the kiss never happened. Which suited me fine. It really did.

“Used to leave bags of Earl Grey everywhere—inside his shoes and pockets, stuffed in the glove compartment, that type of thing. Umbrellas got the best result. Owen never noticed the thing was packed full until he’d whipped it out and dumped tea all over his head. The last straw was swapping out the emergency condom in his wallet. That’s why he’s kept things going out of spite.”

“Found himself with nothing but a tea bag at an inopportune moment?”

“Of course not. Owen is too fastidious for that.” Cal glanced between me and the rearview mirror. “Caught a whiff of tea-scented dollar bills and figured it out.”

“And how did he exact his revenge on you?” I asked with a smirk.

“Made sure I was served nothing but amaretto sours for the rest of the semester. Never thought it was possible to become more sober while drinking, but I did.”

“I take it you learned your lesson?”

“I don’t know.” Cal drummed his fingers on the steering wheel as he merged onto the expressway. “Have I?”

***

The remainder of the ride was silent until Cal pulled up to the front curb of Tolliver Yards, folding his arms on top of the steering wheel as he leaned forward, studying the mill complex through the windshield.

“Nice place.”

“Thanks. We like it.”

How many ill-advised kisses were customary before telling a guy you co-owned all the buildings in the immediate vicinity?

Cal shot an amused glance at the seat—where my hand unconsciously stroked his cardigan. Shit and double shit. I let go immediately.

“A well-earned trophy, milady. You more than delivered for PheroPass.”

“I can’t take your sweater.”

“But I want you to.”

“No—”

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