Page 74 of Fighting Spirit

I don’t know how long we go on, teeth and tongues clashing before we come up for air. Rowan’s breathing hard, his eye dilated, lips swollen. I don’t look anywhere else as I try to get my bearings, waiting for the world to come back into focus.

Holy shit.

Rowan’s lips turn up in the sweetest smile as he rubs his thumb over the apple of my cheek before leaning down and pressing gentle pecks across my forehead, over my eyelids, and down my nose until he lands back on my lips. He hums against my mouth, a happy sound that draws a grin from me.

He answers with his own, looking down at me with that big boyish smile I don’t get to enjoy for long before he hides it in my hair. His face goes to the crook of my neck as big arms snake around my waist to pull me into a tight hug.

“That was way better than last time,” he mumbles.

“I thought you said we were pretending that never happened?” I say breathlessly. I’m wrung out, limp in his arms, and not able to do anything but smile.

“Don’t listen to me. I’m an idiot.”

I chuckle, reaching up to thread my fingers into his hair. He groans in delight when I give his scalp a little scratch, and my heart feels so full at seeing this side of him, so warm and loose and gentle.

We stand there for a long time, swaying slightly. He’s probably got a mouthful of frizz, but he doesn’t seem to mind.

“Are we just gonna keep standing in the parking lot?” I whisper.

“Give me a minute, then I’ll take you home.” He squeezes me tighter and I giggle.

“We have to pick up Trevor.”

He lets out a loud protest that vibrates into my neck. “Let’s just leave that asshole behind.”

“You know he’d chase down the truck.”

“Not if we drive fast enough.” He releases his hold, gently moving me aside so he can open my door. “We’ll be like Thelma and Louise.”

I giggle as I get in. “You know they drive off a cliff at the end of that movie?”

He frowns just as he’s about to push it closed. “What movie am I thinking of then?”

I laugh some more. I know things aren’t settled; there’s obviously a lot that we need to talk about, but right now, all I want is to bask in this feeling. Whatever got us here, wherever we’re going next, in this second it’s just me and Rowan, and it’s fucking incredible.

He slides into the driver’s seat and slams his door. “I guess we better go get him.”

We’re a couple miles down the road and my brain is scrambled. The only thought that keeps coming up isRowan kissed me.Ihear it again and again, not quite believing it’s real. Eventually, I can’t keep it in.

“You kissed me.” I turn to face him, resting my cheek against the headrest.

He smirks. Fucking smirks! “If memory serves, you were a pretty serious participant.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Do I?”

He’s messing with me. I reach over the console to give him a quick slap to the chest. “Don’t be an asshole.”

“Sorry, sorry.” He chuckles, catching a hold of my hand and pressing a kiss to my knuckles. My stomach erupts in butterflies. “What are you thinking?”

“That was…” I try to choose my words carefully. “A lot.”

“Do you regret it?” The question is edged with insecurity.

“No?” I know that I don’t sound sure. “You know I’ve been wanting to do that.”

“But?”

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