Page 78 of Habits

“I think we already established what you think about my incorrigible ways.”

“You mean, whatthat chickwho’s not a cheerleader thinks.”

“Oh come on!” he groans, running his fingers through his hair. “I had to say something.”

As I turn my back to him, his hands wrap around me from behind, and my body relaxes instantly at his touch.

“I know. That was low. Sorry.”

And I do know it, but it still rubs me the wrong way hearing him talk about me that way.

“You’re the one who doesn’t want Max to know, not the other way around. For all I care, they can think whatever the hell they want. I don’t care either way.”

That’s the one thing I admire about Andrew. His ability to not care about what people around him think. They can love him or hate him, and he won’t give a damn either way. He’s just so disconnected. So … unfazed.

I look down at his hands wrapped around my middle, holding me close. His embrace is warm, our bodies molding together perfectly.

“He can’t know. I won’t put you or him in that position.”

“You’d rather lie to him?”

I find it unnerving, how well he knows me. Or maybe he’s just good at reading people. Readingme.No matter which one it is, he can see through my defenses, and that in itself is scary.

“I’m already lying to him,” I murmur quietly. So quiet that only I can hear it. “So what is one more lie?”

Turning in his embrace, I tilt my head back so I can look at Andrew. “I’m not risking fucking this up for anybody.”

Something flashes in his eyes, but he shakes it away. His hand brushes against my cheek, his finger tangling with the strands of my loose hair.

“Whatever you want.”

Slowly, one side of my mouth tugs upward. “Anything?”

My hands, which are pressed against his chest, slide upward until they curl around his neck.

Andrew returns my half-smile with one of his own.

“Anything you want is yours for the taking, Jeanette.”

I stand on the tips of my toes because, although I’m tall, he’s taller. My grip on his neck tightens and he lowers his head.

So close.

Our breaths mingling.

Our noses brushing.

Our lips parting.

A slow, delicious tremble runs through me at his proximity.

At his touch.

“Even you?” I whisper against his lips.

I can feel the heat radiating all around him.

The warmth of his breath against my skin.

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