Page 65 of A Slice of Love

“I was about to, but you just snatched it away.”

“My mouth hurts. My—”

Before I can say anything else, he crashes his lips to mine and steals the breath right from my lungs.

His hands cradle my face, his thumb caressing my jaw.

It’s a quick kiss, but it’s packed with so much attention. So much emotion.

I loathe the moment he pulls away.

He grins at me. “Do your lips feel better now?”

“I said mymouthwas on fire, not my lips.”

“Well, in that case…”

He goes in for another kiss.

“Damn, Schwartz. Nice job.” Timmy Drake, my least favorite guy from high school, whistles as he walks by. “Can’t believe you bagged the virgin.”

Jonas stiffens, and I see in his eyes the moment he decides he’s going after Drake.

He takes one step toward the jerk, and I latch onto him, digging my heels in.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“To beat his ass,” Jonas growls. “He really fucking needs it.”

“Jonas…” He leans forward, and I push back. “Jonas!”

He comes to a halt, staring down at me with hard eyes.

“What?” he grinds out, and I’ve never heard such malice in his voice before. It almost scares me.

“What exactly do you think you’re doing?”

“Well I thought it was pretty obvious I’m going to go kick that guy’s ass, but apparently not.” He looks down at me, eyes still full of ire. “Hey, Frank, I’m gonna go beat that guy’s ass.”

“You can’t be serious right now.”

“Oh, I’m dead serious. I’m so serious that guy is about to be dead.”

“That barely makes any sense,” I argue.

“I’m not trying to make sense—I’m trying to defend your honor.”

“I don’t need you to defend me, Jonas.”

“Tell me why I’m supposed to just let him walk away after that bullshit.”

“Because of your football career that’s already precariously sitting on the edge of a cliff. A fight with some stupid guy who said some stupid thing that doesn’t matter anyway isn’t what you need right now.” I shove on his chest again. “He’s not worth it.”

“But you’re worth it, Frank. You matter.”

“If I’m worth losing everything, why did you walk away last time?”

Jonas stops pushing and I stumble forward a bit.

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