Page 89 of Red Zone
Don’t make me come find you
Her reply comes quickly.
Princess: Busy. later.
I smirk.
nah. now.
just a minute of your time. promise.
No response.
But ten minutes later, the air shifts around me as she rounds the corner—like it always does.
Her hair’s piled on top of her head, a few dark strands slipping loose to frame her face, and she’s clutching her laptop like a shield. That purple PCU hoodie she’s wearing fits her too perfectly, hugging her curves in a way that makes my mouth dry. Pair it with those leggings, and yeah—good thing I wore compression shorts this morning.
She glances up and spots me leaning against the wall.
A faint pink blooms across her cheeks, and my chest does this stupid little thing.
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re quite needy?” she says lightly, stopping just close enough for me to catch the faint scent of her shampoo.
“You came,” I shoot back, my voice low.
“You’re lucky I’ve decided to bless you with my time.”
“Always am,” I say, grabbing the edge of her sleeve and tugging her toward the maintenance closet by the weight room door.
She stiffens just enough for me to notice.
“Carter—”
“Relax,” I murmur, already opening the door. “Just need a minute.”
The closet is dark and narrow, warm from the weight room air. The faint smell of disinfectant and rubber mats fills my lungs as I close the door behind us.
Perfect.
I rest one hand against the wall above her head, stepping just close enough to feel the tension roll off her shoulders. Her eyes glint in the dim light, and I swear I catch the way her breath hitches even though she tries to hide it.
“This really couldn’t wait?” she murmurs.
I shake my head, leaning in just a little. “Nope.”
“What do we need to be in a dark closet for?” she asks, her voice softer now.
I grin slowly, letting my gaze drag down to her lips.
“This.”
Then I kiss her.
She freezes at first, hands caught awkwardly between us still clutching her laptop, but then she melts.
Her fingers twist into my hoodie, yanking me closer, and that soft little noise she lets out when I press her back against the wall? I feel it everywhere.
My hand finds her jaw, angling her head as I deepen the kiss. My other slides to her hip, thumb brushing the waistband of her leggings. The warmth of her body against mine is maddening, and she tastes faintly like the coffee she drinks too much of, bitter and sweet at the same time.
