Page 120 of The Trade

Theo. She fucking called me Theo. It’s like an electric jolt to my system, my pulse accelerating as she continues her point.

“You deserve to focus on yourself for the summer,” she says, her resolve knocking the wind out of me. “Once we’re both back at school, we can figure out where to go from there.”

“So, what you’re suggesting is a break, then, not a breakup.”

“Well, we’re not exactly together right now. So, if you want to get into semantics ...”

A pit twists and turns in my stomach, gnawing at my insides. “This is really what you want?”

“I just think it’s the best decision for both of us.”

“And I disagree.” My stare holds her captive, searching her face for any hint of doubt or second-guessing. “But if this is the decision you’re making, then I guess I have to respect that.”

“It just makes sense for us right now.”

I rise from my chair, moving to settle beside her on the mattress. The closeness is both soothing and torturous. “You know, there’s something else I need to tell you. And this isn’t a last-ditch effort to make you change your mind.”

“Okay.” Her brows pinch together. “Go ahead.”

“We officially banned the Trade this week.” I tilt my head back, avoiding her gaze. “I spoke with both our captains and got them on board. As a team, we decided to get rid of the tradition once and for all. It’s over.”

“Wow, seriously?” She nudges me in the shoulder, shifting my attention back to her. “You did that for me?”

“I did it because of you,” I amend. “And because it’s the right thing to do.”

“I’m honestly shocked but really proud of you. Of your team,” she adds. “That’s ...good.”

“The team—we—should have never allowed it in the first place.” I rake my hands through my hair. “It was a pointless, shitty competition.”

“I’m glad you not only realized that, but you actually went out and did something to fix it.”

“You helped give me the push I needed.” I turn to face her, bumping our knees together. “So, thank you, Jade.”

“I’m happy for you,” she says quietly.

I stare back at her, gaze trailing across her beautiful features. That little dusting of freckles, that sweet birthmark, and those full, rosy lips. An overwhelming urge to kiss her washes over me.

“Fuck, baby.” The words come out all weak and gravelly. “How am I supposed to spend a whole summer away from you?”

“I’ll miss you, too.” She gives me a sad half-smile. “But that’s why I want you to forget about the breakup for a while. Just think about your training and work on yourself.”

“If we’re going to spend the whole summer apart, would you let me kiss you one last time?” I cup the side of her cheek, swiping a thumb across her birthmark. “As a goodbye?”

“Just one kiss,” she whispers. “As a goodbye.”

I lean forward, a faint brush of my lips against hers. “As a promise.”

She pulls back. “Theo.”

“Okay.” I change course, heart hammering against my chest. “Just a goodbye, then. Or maybe a ‘see you later.’”

She inches closer, her breath warm and sweet against my lips. My hand instinctively moves to the base of her neck, fingers weaving through her hair, pulling her against me and sealing the space between us.

The tenderness of the moment gives way to a raw, burning hunger. There’s nothing sweet about this kiss. It’s filled with heat, with hunger, with a desire to be consumed. It’s filled with all the promises she doesn’t want to voice.

And I only last about five seconds before my restraint completely snaps.

I draw her onto my lap, her body curling against mine, arms draped around my neck, legs straddling my waist. My grip tightens in her hair, tugging her lips back to mine in a punishing caress.

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