Page 91 of Champagne Fizz

Blush colors her cheeks, those brown eyes trying hard to keep her power-stare without hinting that a kiss is her Achilles heel.

“We’re in public,” she warns, holding up a finger before walking down the stall to retrieve the ax.

“And you’re carrying a dangerous weapon,” I say, lifting my hands up like a criminal as she walks back.

“Don’t you forget it,” she sasses, turning back toward the target and cocking her arm into ax-throwing position. “So, what’s going on between you and she-who-shall-not-be-named?”

“It’s about us.”

“Oh?” Kendall’s arm waivers and she loses her power stance. “Us?” She turns to me with the ax now dangling at her side, that word hanging from her lips like a loaded gun.

“No, I didn’t tell her about us,” I explain quickly to assuage the concern streaking through her expression. “Or—anything.” I didn’t tell Arie about our arrangement or Kendall’s condition. “Arie’s just pissed that we’ve been hanging out, that’s all. She doesn’t like the attention being on anyone but herself.”

Kendall eyes me, her fingers tightening around the handle of the hatchet.

“Are you going to murder me now with that?” I tease.

“I haven’t ruled it out.”

“If that’s the case—” I take a step toward her. “I’m going to kiss you right here, right now, and go down in a blaze of glory before you turn me into a meat puddle.”

Her face scrunches. “A meat puddle?”

“Poetry, I know.”

“Step back, Kent,” she says, pointing the blunt end of the hatchet at me. “I might have very bad aim when I throw this thing.”

“Kent?” I give her an intrigued glance and a flush spreads over her cheeks. Man, that glow of pink is going to be the end of me.

“It’s the glasses,” she admits. “You’ve got a whole Clark Kent, Superman vibe going on. Nerdy on the outside”—her eyes flick to the buttons on my shirt—“Superhero underneath.”

Now I’m the one blushing.

“You haven’t seen me without a shirt on,” I deflect. “Maybe I’m all flab and pudge under this thing.”

She reaches out and presses her hand against my chest. “Chiseled like a damn diamond.”

Yup, I’m really blushing.

“I think you need to throw that thing.” I nod to the ax. “Cause I’m going to need a second with you unarmed if you’re going to say scandalous things to me.”

“Like that’s news.” She shakes her head, all of her sass on display. “You get to see yourself naked every day. I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know.”

I ball up my fist and bite my own knuckles. Where did this sassy girl come from and can I please keep her?

“You imagine me naked often, Kendall?” I ask, and that pink blush shoots up her neck again. She turns quickly and throws the ax. I hear it hit the wall, but I don’t look to see if she hit the target or not. Instead, I step into her personal space and drop my head to the edge of her flushed throat.

Kendall stills.

I’m not touching her, but I’m close. Close enough I could brush my lips down her neck.

“We’ll have to go somewhere else if you’re going to start talking dirty,” I whisper against her skin.

She looks up at me, breathing unsteady.

“I haven’t finished living out my fantasy of ax-murdering your business partner,” she says, her voice wavering as her eyes flick to my mouth.

“Torn right now, aren’t you?” I tease.

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