Page 38 of The Kissing Challenge

I arched a brow. "So sure of yourself?"

"Absolutely." Captain smiled. "I don't think you would've been able to resist me much longer. In fact," he added, "if your dad's friend hadn't interrupted us the other day, I think you would've given in then."

He was so right about that.

But I had to know…

"And you think you were ready to confess?" I asked. "Saying I love you isn't always easy. I should know. In the beginning, I tried to tell you how I felt a million times."

"Why did you stop?" Captain said.

I shrugged. "Because you're my best friend, and I never wanted that to change."

"And now?"

His intense stare captured me and seemed to draw out the truth.

"I love you too much not to tell you," I said.

Captain didn't smile. He didn't do anything but pull me closer.

"I love you, Anne," he said. "I always have, and I always will."

The words were packed with so much passion and fervor. Though it had seemed next to impossible not even 24 hours ago, I didn't doubt it for a moment. I couldn't doubt him.

"My Captain," I said, daring to glide my fingers along his cheek, feeling his jaw clench in response to my touch.

"My Anne," he murmured and rested his forehead against mine.

After a moment, Captain pulled back slightly.

"You know, I saw this new challenge the other day," he said. "Thought I might try it out. Are you in?"

"Okay." I laughed at the look of joy and mischief on his face. "What is it?"

"Well, I'm not sure I should tell you."

I lifted a brow. "Oh? And why not?"

Captain tilted his head this way and that as if he were thinking it over.

"If I remember correctly," he said, "you told me after the fact."

My breathing sped up as his hands tightened on my waist.

"B-but you want to tell me," I said.

Captain put his lips near my ear and dropped a kiss there. "Is that so?"

I hummed in response. Wow that felt good.

"Well, I guess you're right."

When our gazes collided, it felt like nothing existed except the two of us and this moment.

"The challenge I saw was to kiss the girl you love senseless," he said.

Captain smiled as my eyebrows dropped.

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