Page 114 of Flirty Dancing

“Um, we just kissed—a really fucking amazing kiss, by the way—then you saidfuckand ran away.”

Mateo shook his head, lips quirking. “Of course I want to be with you. I— Are you sure that you—”

Archer leaned in. “I’m sure.” He pressed his lips to Mateo’s.

They kissed on their rock in the moonlight while the lake glittered below.

“Oh God,” Archer breathed a while later, dizzy from the lack of oxygen, lips tingling. “You’re a good kisser.”

“So are you.” Mateo tilted Archer’s chin toward him for yet another.

“This isn’t a bad idea, is it?” Archer asked him when he could breathe again, over the sound of his pounding heart. “We’re so close to the big show. Are we going to mess anything up?”

Mateo nuzzled Archer’s neck. “I’ve been thinking the same thing. Maybe we should wait until we get back to the city?”

Archer breathed in Mateo’s scent as he brushed his lips along Mateo’s cheek. “That’s probably smart. What’s a few more days?”

Mateo’s hand crept up Archer’s thigh. “We can do it.”

“Okay, that’s the plan.” Archer sighed before they started kissing again.

It was a while until they dragged themselves back down the mountain, holding hands and being careful not to lose their footing in the dark each time they got distracted. Where the path split at the bottom, they paused.

“One last kiss at Shady Queens?” Archer asked. “And then we’re not together.” Overhead, the maple leaves whispered their secret in air thick with the smell of late summer flowers.

“Right,” Mateo agreed. “No one can know.”

“Good night,” Archer murmured, lips ghosting over Mateo’s.

“Good night,” Mateo replied. “Sweet dreams.”

Archer’s dreams, indeed, had never been sweeter.

Mateowas the first thought Archer had the next morning. His eyes flew open at the memory, a smile stretching across his face.Holy fuck.HOLY FUCK. I kissed Mateo Dixon. Like, a lot.

He reached for his phone to send Mateo a text and saw that Mateo had already had the same thought.Good morning. How did you sleep?

Archer wanted to squeal like a teenager.Good. So, so good. You?

Also very good.

Good.

Did you want to meet for breakfast?

“What are you smiling at?” Beau asked from the doorway.

Archer jumped, stammering. “Uh, nothing. Just, er—a funny meme.”

Yes, that would be great. I can meet you

there in 15?

“Can I see it?” Beau asked.

“Can’t, gotta shower,” Archer called, already halfway out the door, running for the bathroom.

Mateo was waiting for him outside the dining hall. Archer’s heart sang as soon as he saw Mateo’s tall frame against the pink of the primrose bush.

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