Page 78 of Just a Little White Lie

I cup the back of her head and lengthen the moment. She’s as addictive, as necessary, as a morning coffee, and I’m not sure I’ll ever get enough.

That’s why I’m here right now, helping her with this class.

That’s why I’m ignoring the fact that Luke will hit the roof when he finds out about us. I’m not planning on telling him anytime soon, but surely he’ll start to notice. And if he asks, I’m not gonna lie.

I’m also not gonna let him steamroll whatever is happening between me and his little sister.

This is too good to give up just because he might have a problem with it.

One kiss changed everything for me. She started it. She kissed me first, and it was all the permission I needed to jump clean over that line and not care one little bit about the consequences.

Lauren lets out a sweet little purr and then kind of snickers in my mouth.

I pull back. “What? What’s funny?”

She grins up at me, her fingers playing with the ends of my hair. “I was just thinking that you’re as good as a caffeine kick, and I might have to keep you around. You’re probably a healthier addiction than coffee, and these lips…” She brushes her thumb across my lower lip. It’s a delicious tickle that makes me want to kiss her again. “I could get highly addicted to these lips.”

I grin, a soft growl reverberating in my throat as I pluck her off the ground and kiss her so hard I’m pretty sure her senses will be reeling.

Mine definitely are.

Morning coffee.

Funny how we both thought the same thing about each other.

Damn. She makes it pretty impossible not to start falling.

And I’m not just falling.

It’s like I’ve thrown myself into a full-on plummet.

The idea should probably scare me more than it does.

If this turns serious, then we’ll have the Luke factor to contend with.

The morning bell rings, and I know I have to take my leave.

“Good luck with the next session,” I murmur, kissing her again because I can’t not.

She smiles and wipes her gloss off my mouth. “Thanks. Thank you for everything.”

The look in her eyes undoes me all over again, and as I walk away, I don’t see how this won’t turn into something more.

I’m skydiving without a parachute right now, and although I should probably be screaming in terror, all I can feel is the rush of Lauren Fillion. She’s a force I never thought I’d have to contend with, but oh man, consequences be damned, because I am welcoming this feeling with open arms.

LAUREN

Jack and I are messing around in the dance studio, laughter bubbling out of me as Meghan Trainor’s “No Excuses” pumps out of the stereo. I’m mouthing the lyrics, putting on a flirty dance for him, and he’s laughing, trying to catch me. I skip out of his reach each time, and he stands back, so obviously admiring the view.

It’s been nearly three weeks since I kissed him, and the time has flown by. Stolen kisses, hours of dance practice, and my life is…

I’m happy.

It’s such a weird sensation after thinking I never could be again.

But I am.

As much as I hate Luke’s envelope system, the one for my parents is steadily getting fatter. I’ll be able to pay back a first installment soon. I haven’t had the courage to contact them yet. Luke’s been keeping them updated, and Dad texted me last week.

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