Page 61 of Flare

“But we’re dating?” He cocked a brow.

I couldn’t stop the grin. “Yes, we’re dating, if you want.”

“Exclusive.” Not a question.

“Like that’s even an option, but yes, exclusive, absolutely.”

“Good. Then yes, I want.” He took my hands and pulled me forward just enough to bring me within reach but no more, showing me he understood.

I immediately closed the distance and nervously straddled his lap, careful to keep it PG, my forearms resting on his shoulders.

His eyes widened, clearly surprised, but he simply leaned back and kept his hands to himself, leaving me free to move.

“Control, remember?” I stared down at him. “There’s a lot I can do if I’m in control.”

“Right.” He smirked. “Well, this is definitely looking promising. But I’m going to need a list.”

“A list?” I dropped a kiss on his forehead just because I could.

“Yes, a list.” He ran his nose up the side of my face and sighed. “Damn, you smell good.”

I nudged him. “Tell me more about this list.”

He grinned. “A list of all the dos and don’ts you know about, so far. We can figure out the rest because I imagine we might have to add to it along the way.”

I snorted in amusement. “I can do that. And just so you know, there are a lot of things we can do, sex-wise. I haven’t been a monk. It’s just that things have to be in place.”

“Noted. And also, intriguing. Please refer to abovementioned list.”

I laughed. “Right. The list.” My fingers moved of their own accord, tracing a path through his short beard. “This looks good, Beck. Really good.” His face lit up and I wanted to kiss him so badly. Then I fingered the dull bruise on his temple. “Is this from the other night?”

He flushed. “It’s nothing.”

I pressed a kiss to it. “It’s not nothing, and I’m sorry.”

“If it led to this, then it was worth it.” He held my gaze as I continued to finger his beard.

“I missed seeing you yesterday. Crazy, right?”

“No.” My heart beat a tattoo on my ribs. “I missed you too. I drove Kip up the wall for a number of reasons, but you were right at the top of that list.”

“Does he know?”

I nodded. “Only as of today.”

Beck frowned and I shrugged.

“Kip and Hunter staged an intervention cos I was being such a grumpy arsehole, and it just came up. It was time. And they guessed the flowers were from you, by the way, so don’t think you’re flying under the radar.”

Beck didn’t look surprised. “I didn’t want to throw away a chance of friendship just because I’d acted like an idiot.”

I saw my face reflected in those green-and-gold irises and something warm rose in my chest. “Friendship? Meh. I’m hoping for a lot more.”

He hesitated. “I don’t trust easily either, just so you know.” It sounded like a warning, and I wondered who’d hurt this man. Maybe someday he’d tell me.

“Then we both need to be careful, right?” I fingered the scar visible under the short bristle, a small nest of silver hairs pointing the way. It was too tempting and I pressed a chaste kiss in place, barely catching his mouth.

“Do that again.” His eyelids fluttered closed.

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