Page 92 of XOXO, Valentina

My greedy hands stole between us to spread across his chest. He felt the same—smooth skin, hard flesh, and a soft smattering of hair—but everything had changed.

He was mine. I could touch him. I could kiss him. I could share a pizza with him at Hawthorne’s.

A buzz of excitement raced through me at everything we could do together. I pressed a kiss to his chest, inhaling the musky scent of him. His hands dipped under my shirt and spread over my back.

Pressing kisses to his chest, I paused and traced his tattoo with my tongue. I’d always wanted to kiss his ink, but I’d never felt like I had the right. Now every inch of Joey was mine, even his heartbreak.

My hands dipped lower. Touching him was a familiar pleasure. I knew the way to make him moan and stutter incoherently in at least one language. His low growl filled my ears when I stroked him over his pants.

“I’m sorry I left you like this earlier today.” I popped open the button on his pants.

He gasped. “How sorry?”

I slipped my hand under the waistband of his boxers. “Very sorry.”

The doorbell rang, and we both froze. Our eyes locked.

“It’s probably just a neighbor. I’ll get rid of them.” He eased back and bent to grab his shirt. “You can wait in the bedroom if you want.”

“You mean hide there?” I asked.

His big brown eyes searched mine, but he didn’t answer.

The doorbell rang again as we stared at each other.

“Gabriella?”

A month ago, I would have already been hiding in the bedroom, but my feet were rooted to the spot.

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Get the door,” I said. “I’ll stay right here.”

His brows rose. “Really?”

“Really.” I cocked my head at him. “Or do you want me to get it?”

Joey grinned. “Go ahead.” He reached around and gave my ponytail a yank. “I dare you.”

“Oh no, you didn’t.”

His laugh rumbled, and he swatted me on the butt. “Get the door, baby.”

“You quit your job for me. The least I can do is answer your door.”

I strode to the door, and Joey followed, tugging on his T-shirt. I opened the door and saw Chelsea Taylor in the hall, holding a white box.

Her eyes widened when she saw me, but the rest of her face didn’t move. Botox made it almost impossible to look surprised.

“Ms. Taylor,” I said, adopting my professional voice even though the last time she’d seen me, my butt was hanging out of my dress. My cheeks were flushed, and my ponytail was lopsided, thanks to Joey.

“Ms. Taylor,” Joey said in a voice he reserved for misbehaving students and Frodo. “I asked you not to come to my home.”

Ms. Taylor’s eyes bounced from me to Joey, as if she couldn’t decide where to look. She finally focused on Joey. “Don’t worry, Kaylee isn’t with me. And you aren’t her teacher anymore.”

“That doesn’t mean you can disturb my privacy.”

Her smile dimmed. “I brought you a cake.” She offered Joey the box. “We hate to lose you at PES.”

Joey took the box. “Thank you.”

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