Page 19 of The Break Down

And oh my fuck. It’s deep and low, and it does something to me that should be illegal.

“Good,” he murmurs, voice like dark velvet. “Wouldn’t want you to trip and fall for me, Red. Not unless you planned to stay down.”

He takes another slow, deliberate step forward, like he enjoys the way my breath catches.

“Please,” I snap, squaring my shoulders. “I’m not some star-struck jersey-chaser. You want a girl to swoon over your questionable prowess and your enormous ego? Try someone who doesn’t know better.”

“I want you to fight back.”

Closer.

“I want you to push.”

I blink, heat crawling up my neck.

“Why?”

“Because I’ve had to watch you for days. Fucking days. Talking with the other fellas, laughing, walking around in those damn tights with that mouth and those eyes and that body like a fucking temptation wrapped in equal parts juicy temptation and hot as fuck sarcasm—and I’ve done nothing.”

He’s in front of me now, inches away.

His hands stay loose at his sides, but every muscle in his body is coiled tight.

“I’ve played nice. I’ve stayed away. But tonight, Finley?” His voice drops, rough and raw. “I don’t want to stay away.”

My breath catches.

And before I can overthink it, I look up at him and whisper, “So don’t.”

His hand moves to my waist, fingers hot and sure, and when he pulls me against his chest, it’s like gravity shifts.

“Fuck it,” he grunts.

Then, our mouths collide—not soft, not slow.

It’s wild. Hot.

Everything we’ve been holding back poured into one reckless, desperate kiss.

My back hits the side of the shed, and I gasp as his thigh slides between mine. His hands are in my hair, and it takes me a moment to realize he’s taking out my ponytail holder.

Koa groans as he threads his thick fingers through my hair, still damp from the shower I took a little while ago.

“Fuck. I knew you’d be sweet,” he groans, licking into my mouth and making my whole body tremble with need.

He tugs on my hair, angling me where he wants me, and I let him.

It feels too good not to. But I’m no idle observer.

I give as good as I get. Kissing him back with everything I’ve got.

My hands are busy too, digging into his bare back, fingers splaying over muscle and heat and sweat.

This isn’t careful.

This isn’t sweet.

It’s rough.

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