Page 58 of Gone for You

“Hotstuff?”

Her eyes widen and then she starts giggling. “Oh my gosh.”

“What?”

“I called you Hotstuff in my head that first time I met you when I was at your old apartment.”

“Really?”

She blushes. “It’s stupid, I know.”

“Not stupid. Not at all.” I can’t stop looking at her, mentally cataloging all her features. “You’re so gorgeous, Liv,” I tell her and for some reason her cheeks heat even more. I’ve told her she’s gorgeous more times than I can count, yet she continues to turn crimson at my words. She’s in a pair of black skinny jeans with a few holes in the knees, a black and white striped shirt under an Army green vest, her straight blonde hair flows over her shoulders. My eyes eat up every inch of her and I know by the look she’s giving me that every bit of clothing she’s wearing will be on my bedroom floor tonight. “What are you still doing way over there?”

It takes her no time to be in my arms.

I was wrong earlier.Thisis where she belongs. Where I can finally feel complete. I’m so afraid of letting her know just how badly I want her.

Her arms wrap around my neck and she lifts up onto her toes so she can get closer. I bury my face into her neck and inhale deeply, wanting to soak up every bit of her scent.

She’s like a cross between the sweetest honey and a spicy whiskey.

Delicious.

Intoxicating.

Addictive.

“Missed you,” she murmurs and it makes my chest expand. Those two words mean more to me than she could possibly fathom. I’ve missed her more than I expected to.

“Missed you, too.”

She inhales deeply and I know she’s taking in my scent.

“Damn you smell good.”

“Get enough?” I tease her and she shakes her head against my neck, burying her nose into the crook once again and dramatically sniffing.

I chuckle and reluctantly release her. But not far. I keep my hands on her waist and squeeze lightly, the tender flesh soft and inviting beneath my fingers. Her arms wrap around my neck and she dips close, her body bending backward just slightly. The smile that stretches across her face wraps around me and I relish in the feeling, knowing that I need to take advantage of it to hold me over until next time.

I shift my hold on her, tickling her sides. She erupts in laughter, a light tinkling sound that I crave. Her golden-brown eyes shimmer and her cotton candy pink lips spread wide.

I continue my assault, her body twisting and contorting the entire time. She told me once she’s always been ticklish. The one and only time she had a pedicure done, she kicked the poor woman right in the chest. Not on purpose, of course.

Before she has to ask, I stop tickling her. She gasps as I help her stand upright. She sighs through the last of her laughter. “You’re such a shitbird. Gah, I hate being tickled.”

Her words may say that but the smile she can’t wipe away from her face tells me she loves it.

“Sincerest apologies. It won’t happen again,” I lie. She rolls her eyes.

“Why are you hiding out in your office? The ladies won’t leave you alone out there?” she asks, but I don’t miss the hint of jealousy I hear laced in her tone.

“Nope. They’re eager tonight.”

“I bet.” She huffs and looks away, fiddling with a frame on my desk. She wiggles her nose and rubs it with the top of her finger. I can tell she’s irritated, though not with me.

I bark out a laugh and pull her close, hugging her tightly, when what I want to do is roar with pride.

“I heard the trio of boobs betting each other on who was going to take home the hot, dark, and mysterious bartender,” she sneers. “They’ve got lots of plans. Again. Are they here a lot?”

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