Page 48 of The Americana Playbook

“If you have to be stuck in something for the rest of your life, this isn’t a bad way to go. Trust me.”

Parker huffs, hopping off the island with a hand to her chest.

God,it’s got a slit, too.

“I think a piece of the lining is caught between the teeth.”

I immediately release my lip from where I’ve shoved it betweenmyteeth.

Parker has turned away from me, so, thankfully, she doesn’t see the way my tongue dips out to swipe at my lips.

On second thought, I decide I definitely want her out of it, but only after I’ve traced every inch of the exposed skin with my lips and tongue and need other areas to explore.

“Fitz?”

“Sorry, what?”

Parker points behind her back.

“You look”—fucking phenomenal—“great.”

“Thanks,” Parker says, “but I probably look better when it’s actuallyon.”

I’d argue the only way she’d look better is naked, but I keep that thought to myself. That’s made easier when Parker tucks all her dark hair to one side, displaying the length of her slender neck, and I lose my ability to speak. I wonder if it’s my mouth’s way of punishing me because I’m not letting it do what it wants to, which is to trail kisses down the velvety column.

“Be gentle, Fitz.”

I file this underThings I never want to hear from Parker again unless I’m balls deep inside herand reach for the zipper. I try—gently—to tug it free. But my focus is still on her neck.

“Did I ever tell you that you have the Big Dipper on your neck?”

“The Big Dipper?”

I take a step, but that doesn’t get me close enough, so I bring a hand to her waist, guiding her back so we meet in the middle.

“The one and only.” I lift a finger, beginning to trace the constellation of dark freckles on the back of her neck. “Still there below your hairline.”

My touch draws not just the shape, but also the smallest shiver from Parker. I do it again. “Still?” she asks, her voice soft.

I clear my throat. “Guess I never mentioned it.”

Of course I never mentioned it back in high school. For one, I was embarrassed and worried Parker would think it was weird. And I didn’t want her to suddenly keep her hair down all the time.

She lets out the sweetest surprised breath. “I didn’t know that.”

“I love that.”

Her tone changes. “Love what?”

I lean to the side to catch what I can of her eyes. “How I know something about you that you don’t know about yourself.”

I hold her gaze for a second before Parker rights herself so she faces forward again and I grab some fabric of the dress to create traction and tug the zipper upward with no luck.

Parker sighs. “You might need to rip it off me.”

I lean forward, my head hovering over her bare shoulder and smirk. “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”

The light blush on her cheeks grows a little more intense and I take that one as a win, but I’m losing when it comes to this fucking gown. Even with Parker holding the dress secure to her body, it does slip down a bit, but my focus is lost when my fingers touch her skin. But it’s not the softness that steals my breath.

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