Page 38 of Starting Our Chance

“What took you so long?” I shouted at him. Then the tears began to fall, and I pounced on him. “Yes, I’ll freaking be your girl! I’ve been waiting for you since we were kids. I had to parade every other guy from this town in front of you, but it only seemed to push you away. And now . . . now you tell me that you want me! What the fuck, dude?”

My hysteria was stopped by his kiss. We lost ourselves again, bodies colliding and soaking up the sexual energy. This kiss was hot—devastating. Hands tore at clothing and animal noises erupted from our throats. Eager to connect with each other, we would have gone all the way if it hadn’t been for the tires crunching down the dirt road.

We paused, bodies wrapped together, half-naked. But what I read on Duke’s face was disappointment, not embarrassment, at having been caught. He really doesn’t care that everyone else knows that I’m his. That confirmation eased the worry from my chest. I murmured, “We should make ourselves decent.”

Untangling ourselves, Duke helped me to stand.

I peered into the yard as we threw my clothes back into order and saw that Marcus and the rest of his little group had arrived. “What is going on?” I demanded.

Glancing at his watch, Duke muttered something about them being early. Then he grabbed my hands and his insistent tug immediately grabbed my attention. “Please say yes to what I’m about to ask you,” he said, his eyes pleading with me.

“Duke, I can’t do that,” I laughed. But I was also annoyed that these people had shown up and interrupted us. I didn’t even get time to give him his birthday gift. Not that Duke knew that I had come over here with the sole purpose of using my lips and mouth on his appendage below the belt. There may be time later. That was right, I wasn’t going anywhere.

“Loretta.” Duke’s smile was devilish, and I knew I would agree to whatever he asked. “Come away with me this weekend. They’re all here to drive out to the ocean and celebrate my birthday with one last get-away before babies start showing up and inconveniencing the group.”

I made a big show of considering him. Rolling my eyes and letting out a huff, I finally said, “Well, since it’s your birthday . . .”

Duke plopped a kiss on my forehead. “Thank you, Gorgeous.”

I grinned like an idiot the entire way back to my house to pack.

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