Page 129 of Reverse

“Ah, so there’s the double entendre to my nickname. Thanks for ruining it.”

“It will only feel condescending when you play immune.”

“I told you when we met that I’m aware of my behavior at all times, even if I’m not acting in a certain way or saying thingsother peoplewant or expect me to.” I run my fingers through his thick, damp hair. “And those are two distinct definitions. Playingimmune—not affected or influenced by andacknowledging—to accept or admit the truth of. I’ve never been immune to you, Easton, I just refused to acknowledge it, and you know why.”

He runs a lazy finger around my navel. “Desperate times, drastic measures. You were leaving,again. You weren’t going to answer my calls,again.”

“So, you threw a party to try and convince me?”

“No,” he clips out, lowering his gaze.

“Oh, way too abrupt of an answer. What are you omitting?” I pull his hair—hard—so he’s forced to look up at me.

“Damn, woman,” he grits out as I continue to pull on his thick tresses. “Jesus, okay. Fuck, okay.”

I soothe his scalp with a caress as he blows out a harsh exhale. “The party was already planned because I was going to attempt to hook up to try and get my mind off you.”

Truth stinging, I nod as he covers my torso with a warm palm. “But I made a better, wiser decision by picking you up in Austin.”

“I can’t hold that against you, and I won’t. I gave you no reason—”

He shakes his head. “Let’s not go back there.”

“Okay, and technically, Tack told me about the party anyway.”

“Because I decided we weren’t going the minute I got you into my van. So, was the party planned for you? No.” He rakes his bottom lip to cover a smile. “Did I decide to lure you to it after I ramped it up to prove a point?Maybe.”

“You sure you’re not a toddler?”

“I know it was bad. It was meant to be, but only because I wanted to confront your suspicions.” He groans in frustration. “It took you fuckingforeverto get here.”

“Thatwas purposeful,” I grin.

“Trust me, I know.”

“Well, you threatened me.”

“I’m sorrier for that than anything else. That was the biggest dick move of them all.” His expression turns earnest. “I wouldn’t have carried through with that threat.”

“I know that . . .now.”

“I was so fucking miserable thinking you weren’t coming.”

“Poor baby, it must have been sooo agonizing with all thosetittiesandbare-naked assesbouncing around you.” Batting my lashes, I dole out my best Southern drawl. “However did you cope until I arrived? Bless your little heart.”

He digs his chin into my stomach, and I giggle and squirm, palming his jaw to stop his assault. “Sorry, but it’s just a little hard for me to imagine that you were waiting so impatiently for me with designer drugs at your disposal and a literal clitoral circus running rampant around you.”

“I told you it’s not my thing anymore. Drugs aren’t either. I prefer to acquire my adrenaline and endorphins naturally.”

“By riding motocross and chasing F3 tornadoes, I’m aware.”

“It was an F4,” he corrects with a grin.

I roll my eyes. “So, no parties,ever?”

“I mean, yeah,” he lifts a shoulder, “sure, occasionally. Why the hell not? I’m in this life for the ride like everyone else, and I want to make the most of it—but everything in moderation. And a party likethat? Only with you next to me.”

“That was some show,” I widen my eyes.

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