Page 90 of Corrupt Me

My back presses into his chest, and even with gloves, the heat of his fingers seeps into me.

Why haven’t we ridden like this all the time?Snuggling into him, a contented sigh slips out of my mouth as he brings us to the town at the foot of the mountain.

Tourists walk down the streets lined with small boutiques, still decorated with winter lights. But my stomach rumbles again, reminding me food comes before sightseeing.

After Hunter parks in front of the restaurant, he grabs my hand, interlocking our fingers. My smile threatens to split my face open. I am happy—happier than I have ever been or thought I’d be.

Inside the cozy restaurant, a friendly server leads us to a table by the window. We both order hot chocolate, and the server tells us to choose whatever we want from the buffet in the middle of the room.

We start with eggs and pancakes, and I add yogurt, cereal, and dried fruits to the mix. I pour maple syrup on my pancakes, and Hunter digs into his fried eggs.

I want to ask him if he feels this intimate connection too. Too afraid of the answer, I keep quiet. I won’t allow my dark thoughts to ruin the light atmosphere.

“So how are you surviving without your devices?” he asks, sounding so genuine and amiable, with no trace of the constant contempt from before.

“There’s a life even without them, but I love being behind my screens, even though it was hard when someone hacked me.”

“Because that fucker was in your proximity.”

I don’t want to talk about Eric, so I ask, “What do you do when you don’t fight?”

“I play chess. And when I get bored from winning, I play against myself.”

I can totally see that, so I can’t help but laugh.

“Why doesn’t it surprise me?”

“I’m competitive,” he says, winking at me, stealing some more of my heart.

I am pretty sure nothing will be left of me by the time he’s done with me.

Insanity. That must be it. There’s no other way to describe how she makes me feel.

A soft smile grazes those lips of hers, and I can’t abstain from kissing them. We’re in public, and I don’t even care about anything but bringing her closer to me. Tucking her hand in mine, I pull her flush to my side.

We have just finished brunch and are strolling through downtown. Whenever a guy passes us by and glances at her dumbfounded, my jaw clenches. One poor fucker almost ran into a streetlamp, gawking at her. I will gouge someone’s eyes out today if they keep looking at what’s mine. I’m jealous to the point that I could eradicate the entire male population, but I am also proud as fuck. She’s mine: mine and no one else’s.

It’s as if she senses my turmoil because she places her cheek against my arm. Natural. Simple. Serene. I want more of that, aware I can’t go back to how things were.

We’re window shopping when something catches my eye. While she points at a mulled wine stand, I dip my head and kiss her lips. “I’ll be with you in a second.”

Her brows furrow quizzically, but then she nods and walks over to the stand while I inconspicuously enter the jewelry store.

“Good morning. What can I help you with?” the clerk asks, and I point at a mini snow globe.

As she packs the gift, I browse the selection of jewelry and a golden necklace with a kitten pendant catches my attention.

“It’s 24-karat gold, and the kitten’s eyes are emerald, just like the tip of her tail.”

“Perfect. I’ll take that too, but please hurry,” I say, glancing outside to where Bailey is.

Tucking the presents in the inside pocket of my jacket, I hurry out of the store and spot Bailey at a small wood stand, sipping mulled wine, closing her eyes for a moment. A guy makes his move, ready to approach her, but I stare him down, and he quickly scurries away. She must sense me because she opens her eyes, and they shine with so much emotion, playing my heartstrings like she’s a virtuoso, and my insides are her concert hall.

She tilts her head. “Is it crazy that I missed you?”

Her honesty ignites mine. “Must be madness.”

“Then let’s be mad together.”

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