Page 87 of Just a Little White Lie

An idea starts to form in my mind. It’s just a tickle of a thought, but it makes me smile.

“Yes.” I nod, jumping off the floor and going to my nightstand. Pulling open the top drawer, I grab Luke’s money envelopes and have a quick peek in each one.

The one for my parents is coming along nicely. Rent is due tomorrow, so I can’t touch that one, and my spend envelope actually has some cash in it.

I think about those pretty red shoes I saw in Cambridge. I’ve been so busy dancing and hanging out with Jack that I forgot all about them. Taking out half the money, I grab a fresh envelope from my desk and slip the bills inside it.

I label itHaven Misfits Fund.

My smile grows a little bigger.

“Yes,” I whisper again, the idea for giving this dance crew a special night out growing in my mind.

They deserve it. To go out, have some fun… just for them. They’re always stuck in the boarding school while the elites go off and spend their allowances. Well, not this time. This time the misfits will be walking out the door, spruced up and looking fine, ready to party the night away.

Sitting down, I grab my laptop and start making a list of all the things we could do, then all the things I need to arrange in order to make this happen for them.

I’m so distracted by the task that I don’t even hear Jack come in until he’s touching my shoulder.

I jump and let out an embarrassing squawk.

“Sorry,” Jack snickers, sitting on the edge of my bed with a sigh. “I just wanted to check that you were okay.”

I spin with a derisive snort. “Other than wanting to kill my brother, I’m doing just fine.”

He smiles at me while my lips pull into a pout.

“What are you gonna do?” I rest my chin on my hand. “You don’t… You’re not gonna stop…”

“Kissing you?” He shakes his head. “Not planning on it.”

My insides smile, my lips following a little behind. The relief pulsing through me speaks volumes about how strong the feels for this gorgeous man really are.

He reaches for me, skimming his fingers down my arm. “I knew Luke would be annoyed when he found out about us. He doesn’t like the idea of me getting it on with his baby sister. I can understand that, but he needs to know that I’m not just messing around.” He reaches for my hand, curling his fingers around mine. The flash of vulnerability on his face sends a bloom of affection spreading through me. The way he plays with my fingers, studying my black nail polish as he talks. “I really like you, Tinker Bell. You’re my favorite person in this house.”

I let out a soft laugh. “Only in this house?”

“Okay, fine, in this entire region… No, wait, in the country… Hold up.” He raises his finger in the air. “It could be the world. My favorite person in the world.” He plays with that notion, tipping his head in thought, then finally nodding. “Wow. You really are.”

His gaze lands back on my face, and I can see how much he means it.

The wordsI love youswim inside me. They tremble in my throat, but I can’t quite say them, so I get off my chair and show him instead. Straddling his lap, I tuck my body right against his and play with the curls at the back of his head.

“You might just be my favorite person in the world too, which is weird, because I used to think you were the most annoying person in the world.”

He grins. “I can still annoy you if you really want me to.”

I capture his laughter with my mouth before he can call me another nickname. I’m not quite ready to admit that they’re growing on me.

His hands glide up and across my back, the pleasant moan coming out of his throat enough to make me deepen the kiss. His tongue slides against mine while his fingers weave into my hair, fisting a clump of it. Tendrils of fire lick and thrill me—a delicious wave of heat that begs for more.

I push him backward, and we land on my bed. He rolls me over, covering me with his body and sending my senses into orbit. His weight, his perfect muscles, the way he moves… I can’t get enough of him.

I tuck my leg around his hip, enjoying every inch of him and this special dance we’re doing.

Our dance.

The one where the moves are instinctual and the only music is the beat of our hearts, the catch of our breaths, the soft mewls of pleasure we share between us.

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