Page 42 of Back To You

“I saw him push you, and it pissed me off.”

“So, let me get this straight,” I start, needing to clarify that I amindeedhearing what Annie is saying or if the guy actually knocked me out in the bar and the past ten minutes have been a dream. “You saw the guy push me, so you came over, ripped him a new one, and then when he took it too far, you bashed his truck with a baseball bat. Because he ‘touched’ me? Not because he called you names or poured a beer all over you?”

She crosses her arms again, and the tips of her ears pinken. “Well, when you say it like that,” she says through her teeth, “it makes it sound much worse than it was.”

I can’t explain the feeling in my chest at the thought of Annie wanting to protect me. It’s similar to the rush I feel when she tells me to shut up or pouts her pretty lips, but I don’t think it’s a feeling I can ever go so long without again.

“You like me,” I say, a grin on my face.

“I can’t stand you.”

“Admit it. You like me.”

“I’ll admit I don’t like seeing anyoneelseput you in your place. That’s my job.”

“Don’t be a brat.”

“Don’t be a dick.”

Somehow, in the last five seconds, we ended up chest to chest, and now we’re at a standstill. It’s been weekssince we’ve talked—reallytalked—and there’s so much between us that needs to be said. But, at this moment, I can’t remember anything except for what it feels like to kiss Annie.

“What are you going to do about it?” I push, knowing Annie fights the hardest when she’s scared.

Just like she did when her apartment got broken into, and she didn’t want to ask for help.

Just like when she feels me getting close to her, so she pushes me away.

Just like when those feelings for me come up to the surface, and she tries to bury them even deeper.

“Absolutely nothing.” Her voice is like venom, but I’d let her sink her teeth into me if it meant I could feel her lips.

“You sure about that?” I tease, and I’m no more than an inch away from her lips, my hands pulling out from my pocket to find her hips.

She sucks in a breath, placing her hands on my chest, but she doesn’t push me away. Instead, she closes her eyes, and I take my chance, even if it’s the last thing I ever do.

My lips crash into hers, and I pull her into me, holding her hips to make sure she stays right here.But when has she ever done what I wanted her to do?

Annie pulls back, a hand going to her mouth. Her eyes meet mine, and it looks like she’s about to say something. I hold my breath, hoping I didn’t just make another mistake that’ll just push her further away.

Then, with a slight shake of her head, “Fuck it,” she says, and her fingers fist my shirt, her nails lightly scratching my skin underneath, pulling me back in and pressing her lips against mine.

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again.

Kissing Annie is like coming home.

Chapter 17

Annie

Time stands still as his lips move against mine, and it’s nothing like the kiss in the kitchen. That one went from zero to one hundred in a matter of seconds.

This one? It’s already at a thousand.

One of Luke’s hands loosens from my hip and moves up my body until he finds the side of my neck. I’m still covered in beer under Luke’s sweatshirt, the hood still up on my head, and we’re outside a crowded bar where our friends are probably wondering where we are, but neither of us care.

He grips the side of my neck, urging me to tilt my head to give him better access as our kiss deepens; our tongues are tangled, competing for dominance and control.

My skin feels as hot as the sun, and pressure builds in my belly. A mix of emotions should be filtering through my brain right now—dread, nerves, confusion.

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