Page 103 of I Can't Help It

“You’re going to dump me.”

“That’s a little extreme, babe,” Ava muses, setting a bowl of popcorn on my coffee table. “What’s the big deal? I just want to know what you wrote about me.”

I throw my head back with a groan. “I never should’ve told you…”

Truthfully, I never should’ve started writing about her in the first place. That little black notebook was supposed to be for work notes—and ONLY work notes—but then I needed some kind of outlet. Since I was trying so hard to ignore my feelings for Ava, writing down the details I noticed about her just seemed like the best way to get it all out of my system.

The plan failed big time though, and I made the mistake of accidentally telling her about it a few nights ago. Ever since then, she’s been begging me to let her read over what I wrote.

I’d rather get the flu. Or a root canal.

“Luke, we’ve been dating for almost three months,” she states in a matter-of-fact way, “I’m pretty sure I should be allowed to read it at this point.” She sits beside me on the couch and raises an eyebrow. “Did you write something naughty about me? Is that why you—”

“No!” I cut her short as my neck begins to heat up. “I didn’t write something…naughty.”

She proceeds to pout. “Then why can’t I read it?”

“Because it’s embarrassing, and I still don’t understand how you aren’t creeped out more that I was writing stuff about you.”

“I think it’s kind of cute.” She gives me a coy look. “Ya know, that you liked me sooooo much and you just had to write about it?”

My whole body cringes.

Hearing her say that out loud makes this whole thing even worse.

“Come on,” she says, tapping a couple of fingers against my knee, “I can read what you wrote, we’ll watch our zombie movies, and then we never have to talk about this again if you really don’t want to.”

I heave a long sigh. “Something tells me you’re not going to let this go.”

“You would be right.” Her green eyes dance playfully as she tugs on my shirt. “So, why don’t you go find the notebook and I’ll wait here patiently.”

As much as I don’t want her to read what I wrote, I know this is a losing battle. When Ava is determined about something, there’s no way around it.

“Fine,” I give in, “But you’re going to judge me once you start reading everything.”

“No, I won’t,” she says, kissing my cheek. “I’ll be on my best behavior.”

Maybe, but we’re going to try one more evasive maneuver, just in case.

“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather…?” I let my question hang in the air as I start to kiss the side of her neck.

Like I hoped, her eyes flutter shut. “Luke,” she mutters when I bite the sensitive skin behind her ear, “I know what you’re doing.”

And yet, she’s grabbing my arm to pull me closer.

“Oh yeah?” I grin before kissing her jawline next. “What am I doing?”

“You know what,” she whines, slipping her hand to the back of my neck. “You’re trying to make me forget about the notebook.”

I press my lips to the corner of her mouth. “Is it working?”

“No.”

I graze my teeth against her bottom lip. “How about now?”

She doesn’t answer me.

At least not with words. Instead, she captures my lips with hers and fully kisses me. Desire pulses through me loud and fast as I move my mouth against hers. A ragged groan leaves my throat when she kisses me harder, and my hands are ready to grab her hips so I can pull her on top of me. But then she yanks away from me.

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