Page 98 of A Whole New Trick

I frown. “But I don’t want to quit.”

“You aren’t.” Determination is set in every line of his rugged features. “I’m retiring.”

“What! No!” I gape at him like a fish out of water. “That’s… that’s insane. Why in the world would you do that?”

“Because I refuse to be manipulated, and I’ll be damned if I let someone else ruin what’s between us.”

My stomach simultaneously flutters and falls to the floor. “Dane… don’t make a rash decision. You and I just started dating. You can’t throw away your career for me.”

“Don’t you understand, Morgan?” Dane shakes his head, not backing down an inch. “I’m in love with you. I’d do anything for you.”

My heartbeat stutters to a stop, then immediately begins to race, thumping wildly in my chest.

Dane’s expression falters. Anger is replaced with embarrassment. “Sorry, Morgan. That’s not what?—”

“Do you mean it?”

His eyes widen. “What?”

I rise from my seat on the couch and roll back my shoulders, meeting his wary gaze. “Did you mean it… when you said you love me?”

“Of course, I mean it.Oof.”

I throw myself into Dane’s chest, wrapping my arm around his neck and pulling him down into a passionate kiss that only begins to convey the depths of my feelings for the perfect man standing in front of me.

I’ve been wrestling with how crazy I am about this man, trying to convince myself I need to take it slow, for days. I’ve tried to tell myself to be realistic—I couldn’t possibly be in love with him. It was lust. Or infatuation. Some superficial emotion that would be easily cured with time.

I never believed it.

Hearing Dane declare he feels the same gives me the permission I need to let myself feel what I feel with no regrets. No remorse.

I’m in love with Dane Larson, and I don’t know how I got so damn lucky.

Dane hesitates for a beat before eagerly participating in the unexpected kiss. His hands slide down my back and up my sides,following every dip and curve as if trying to memorize the feel of my body under his strong hands.

I rise on my toes to deepen the kiss, but Dane draws back. “Does this mean you love me back?”

I grin and make sure to rid him of doubt when I say, “Yes, Dane. I love you, too.”

His face lights up. His smile is bright. The sight will be forever seared into my memory.

Dane’s mouth crashes against mine, and the adoring kiss quickly turns fervent. I knead his biceps and pecs, grip his ass and grind my hips into his. Dane’s answering growls make my skin pull tight. Warmth curls between my legs. I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.

I pull back just long enough to whip my shirt over my head. Dane does the same. I drink in the sight of his muscular torso, my mouth watering. His eyes flash with desire as they trail over the lacey edges of my black bra.

“You’re fucking gorgeous, Caldwell.”

“Back at you, Larson.”

Dane picks me up. I wrap my legs around him and kiss him soundly as he walks us to my bedroom. I don’t let go when he drops me on the bed. His weight presses down on every point of contact, and I love it.

He kisses along my jaw and down my neck. I arch into him, feeling his erection through his sweatpants. I tug at the waistband. “Take these off.”

“So bossy.” He grins against my neck but slides back, stands at the edge of the bed, and does what I ask. He goes one step further and pushes down his boxer briefs. I bite my bottom lip and admire his perfect physique and hard length. Moisture gathers between my legs.

“Like what you see?” He lifts a cocky brow.

“Yes.”

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