Page 51 of Carnal

"This isn't smart. We need to stop."

The elevator opens, but I ignore it. I spin her so she's against the wall and close the gap between us. She gasps, and I hold both her cheeks. "Admit you missed me."

She stays silent.

"I missed you," I confess.

She pins her eyebrows together.

"I know you missed me. You want to know how?"

She still refuses to speak.

I rub my thumb over her lips, admitting, "I felt it in your kiss. Right now, I see it on your face. So we're going out tonight. I'm picking you up at eight. No one will know, but I'm not backing down about this." I peck her on the lips then push the button for the elevator again.

"Tristano—"

I kiss her again, this time, I put everything I have into it. Endorphins flare in my cells. She returns my affection and the elevator dings. I retreat and wink, then say, "See you tonight." I step into the elevator and hit the button to close the doors.

She gapes at me as the doors shut. The elevator drops to the ground floor, and I go to the SUV, feeling like I'm walking on air.

Everything I felt last weekend is real. Kissing her confirmed my obsession isn't delusional. The chemistry between us isn't something you can fake.

I open the passenger door and get in the SUV. Flex pulls out into traffic. "Docks, right?"

"Yeah."

He glances at me then asks, "Why do you look so happy?"

I take my phone out of my pocket. "Do I?"

"Yep."

"Huh." I call Rubio.

He answers, "Tristano, what's up?"

"I'm heading your way. We need to go through the new routes," I inform him.

"Today? It's not for a few weeks," he states.

"Papà wants a report by the end of the day," I announce.

There's a moment of silence. Rubio finally asks, "Is there something he's concerned about?"

"No. Just wants me to be proactive," I lie.

"Okay. See you soon."

"Later," I reply, then hang up.

Flex guns the engine, cuts someone off, and a horn blares. He questions, "Your Papà on a rampage again?"

I shrug. "You know how he gets ideas in his head. So where are you taking Callie?"

"My place." He grins.

"Wow. Straight at it, huh?" I tease and hold my fist out.

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