Page 18 of A Very Grumpy Marine

“Just to hang out,” I promise. “I won’t push.”

She hesitates, then nods. “Okay.”

I smirk, opening the truck door for her. “Good choice, baby.”

We drive back to my place, and Gunner greets us at the door, his tail wagging so hard his whole body shakes. Lymric kneels,scratching behind his ears, and I swear Gunner looks smug about it.

She looks up at me, smiling. “Alright, maybe I see why you like it here.”

I grin. “Told you.”

And for the first time, I start to believe she might actually stay. I just have to convince her she belongs here. With me.

The second I shut the door behind us, I know I’m in trouble.

Lymric is standing in the middle of my living room, her dark green eyes flicking around, taking in the space. The dim lighting casts soft shadows over her curves, the oversized sweater she’s wearing doing nothing to hide the shape of her body. She looks…right here. Like she belongs.

And damn, I want her to.

She turns, catching me watching her, and arches an eyebrow. “You’re staring.”

I smirk, stepping closer. “Can you blame me?”

Her breath hitches, but she doesn’t step back. Instead, she tilts her head up, challenging me, teasing me. My girl loves pushing me, seeing how far she can take it before I snap.

I drag my hand along her jaw, tilting her chin up so I can see every little reaction she gives me. The way her lips part, the way her breath quickens, the way she leans in even though she’s pretending she’s unaffected.

“Lymric,” I murmur, running my thumb over her lower lip.

She shivers but tries to play it off. “What?”

I don’t answer. I just close the space between us, my other hand sliding to the small of her back, tugging her closer until she’s flush against me. She lets out a soft gasp, her hands bracing against my chest.

“You feel that?” I ask, my voice low, rough. “Tell me you don’t want this.”

She exhales shakily. “I never said that.”

That’s all I need.

I crush my mouth against hers, swallowing her gasp as I take control of the kiss. She melts into me instantly, her fingers curling into my shirt, holding on like she needs me just as badly as I need her.

I guide us backward, pressing her against the wall, pinning her there with my body. My hands slide into her hair, tilting her head so I can deepen the kiss, tasting every soft sound she makes. She’s addictive—sweet and warm, her lips parting for me like she’s been waiting for this just as much as I have.

Her hands roam, gripping my shoulders, sliding down my arms, then curling around the back of my neck. She’s not just letting me lead—she’s matching me, pushing back, testing me.

Damn, I love that.

I nip at her lower lip, and she moans, pressing her body tighter against mine. My fingers skim down her sides, tracing the curve of her waist before settling on her hips. I squeeze, groaning against her mouth when she arches into me.

“Camden,” she breathes when I move to her jaw, kissing a path down the side of her neck. Her nails dig into my shoulders, and I swear I could lose my damn mind just from hearing my name like that.

I press my lips against her pulse, feeling the rapid thrum of her heartbeat. “Tell me you want me.”

She hesitates for half a second, stubborn as ever.

I drag my lips lower, grazing my teeth along her skin, smirking when she trembles. “Say it, baby.”

She exhales sharply. “I want you.”

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