Page 133 of The Wingman

I love her, I realize. I’ve loved her for years. Maybe since she walked into English class that first week of university, or the first conversation we had aboutThe Northern Sword, or the first time I opened my blinds and screamed at the weird gnome peering into the window while she collapsed on my bed, laughing her ass off.

Or maybe I fell a little in love with her every time I saw her, every time we laughed together or texted or hugged, until I was at full capacity and head over fucking heels for her.

When she showed up in Vancouver, newly single and eager to start fresh, I never stood a chance. That I even thought I could pretend my feelings didn’t exist, or that we were just friends, is fucking laughable.

She’s always been the girl for me.

My mind flicks to the text from Kit. “We’re playing Calgary next week.” It’s our last game of the season.

Her fingers still on my chest. “I know.”

“Kit wants to have a drink and catch up the night before.”

She lifts her head, meeting my eyes with concern. “What do you want to do?”

A long pause. “I want to set the record straight with him, and I want to tell him about us.”

Her eyes linger on me with uncertainty before she nods. “Okay.”

She settles her head against my chest and closes her eyes.

I’ve got my priorities straight now. Kit may be Darcy’s past, but I’m her future.

CHAPTER 62

DARCY

On the morningof my birthday, Hayden wakes me up with slow, lazy kisses down my body before he makes me beg for release with his head between my legs.

“Do you want your present now or later?” he asks after, lounging on the bed beside me, looking like a Greek god in the morning light.

“Is it that we can finally have sex?”

He chuckles. “No. Not yet.”

I groan with frustration. His tongue on my clit is heaven, but I need so much more from him. I want to feel connected in the ultimate way. A little part of me is grumpy—he’s slept with every girl in town, but not me?

What’s going on?

I shove the thoughts from my head. “I’d like the present now, please.”

He moves closer, pressing a kiss between my breasts, nipping the sensitive skin. “Are you sure?”

I laugh, squirming away from him. “Yes, now.”

“Okay, okay.” He slides off the bed and I get to admire his magnificent ass as he heads into his closet. He returns a moment later with a small package.

“What could it be?” I muse, narrowing my eyes at him where he’s settling against the headboard as I slide my fingernail under the tape. “It’s clearly a book.Dating for Total Losers, maybe?”

His gaze is steady and warm. “You’re not a loser.”

“How to Pick Up Guys, Bring Them Home, and Bang Their Brains Out?”

His grin widens. “You don’t have any trouble getting me into bed.”

I laugh, pulling off the remaining wrapping. “Kama Sutra, maybe—oh.”

My jaw drops.The Emerald Queenby A.R. Haddington. It’s the next book inThe Northern Swordseries, due to be released later this year.

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