Page 80 of Always Red (Chasing Red 2)

“There. All set.” I hid my phone before she could grab it and look at my photos. I think there were five pictures in my photo gallery that weren’t of her. Okay, maybe four. I loved taking candid snapshots of her—especial

ly when she wasn’t expecting it. When she was studying at her desk. Standing at the stove cooking pancakes, holding up her hand to block the camera but grinning. Glaring at me as she picked up my clothes from the floor. There was one I took as she napped that I really cherished. I felt a little guilty, but not too guilty.

Yep. I’m a creep.

Her creep.

“Where’s your phone?” I asked.

She frowned. “Why?”

“Just give it to me. No arguing.” And then I added, “I’m leaving tonight. Please be nice to me.”

I batted my lashes at her, and she laughed. She gave me her phone reluctantly.

“What’s your pass code?” I asked.

“Just give it to me. I’ll do it,” she said.

“What is it?”

I looked up from the screen to see her blushing. I raised my brows, waiting.

“It’s your birthday,” she admitted.

Damn it. Damn it. Again, I couldn’t stop grinning.

“Why you so obsessed with me, Red? Ow!”

I rubbed my arm where she’d pinched me. She was still glaring at me, so I just leaned beside her so our faces were touching and took a picture. I sent the photo to my number, made that her wallpaper, and returned her phone.

She shook her head and gave me an exasperated look, but she was smiling.

“Are you nervous? About going to work, I mean,” she asked.

“A little bit,” I answered. She tucked a loose hair that had come out of her bun behind her ear.

I remembered her ponytail coming loose earlier when I kissed the hell out of her in the parking lot. I remembered plunging my hands into the dark thickness. I’d watched her struggle to gather herself together, and it was a treat to see. I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn’t had a raging hard-on at the time.

I loved how I could make her lose control like that. I really wanted to see it again and maybe do…other things. When I felt my pants start to tighten, I nearly cursed out loud.

I blushed when I saw her watching me, and I had the terrifying thought that she could read my mind. But then I realized she was still waiting for me to explain.

What the hell were we talking about?

“I guess you’d have a lot of responsibilities,” she prompted.

Right. Work.

I nodded, releasing that lock of hair she had tucked behind her ear and twirling it around my finger.

I found that I had to touch her whenever she was near me. I couldn’t help myself.

“I don’t mind. I’m more excited than nervous, and I’m looking forward to it. Although I wish you’d go with me.”

“I can’t.” But I want to was what I heard in her voice. Of course she didn’t say it, but I knew anyway. “I have to work, Caleb.”

Telling her I didn’t want her to work was on the tip of my tongue. Luckily, I shut my mouth before it came out. But there had to be some way.

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