Page 96 of Renegade Rift

“Tonight was fun.” There’s a whimsical air to her voice that warms the deepest part of my heart, replacing the anger that was there moments before.

I bump her with my hip. “Not such a nerdy game, after all?”

“Oh no. It was absolutely nerdy,” she says, playfully bumping me back.

We both chuckle and it’s hard not to get caught up in this moment.

Itfeels good.

Easy.

Comfortable.

“Come here.” I say softly, offering her my hand.

She hesitates but ultimately slips her hand in mine, allowing me to lead her to the couch. I sit and tug her into my lap. She immediately tenses, but then relaxes into my chest and allows me to wrap my arms around her—one around her waist and the other drapes over her lap.

“Is this okay?” I ask, and she nods, but I can tell her thoughts are a million miles away. “You want to talk about it?”

“No.” She shakes her head. “Tonight was a good night, and I don’t want to let thoughts ofhimruin it.”

It’s the same answer she gave me on our first date, and while I’d love to push and get her to open up to me, I know it’s got to be on her terms.

“Fair.” I concede, even if it drives me absolutely insane that she won’t let me help her work through it. “Then why don’t you tell me what you learned on tonight's date?”

Juliet grins. “You mean besides the fact that jocks make the most interesting brand of nerd ever?”

I jerk my head back, pretending to be shocked. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You guys have all the confidence and dirty minds that come with being jocks and the absolute unhinged smarts that come with being a nerd. It’s a powerful combination.”

“Hmm.” I tilt my head to the side, considering her observation. “I’ve never thought of it that way.”

“I’ll never underestimate any of you, that’s for sure.”

“And as far as dating goes.” I let my hand drift over the flesh of her thighs, toying absentmindedly with the hem of her shorts that has driven me wild all night. “What did you learn?”

She tips her head back and looks at the ceiling as if it’s somehow going to give her the answers. Or maybe she just needs a moment to find her courage. Which she does.

“I already knew making friends with your significant other’s friends is important because being alone in a relationship can suck the life from you. But what I learned tonight is having a shared interest with your partner that you can share with others as well is worth its weight in gold.”

She hesitates and I give her thigh a gentle squeeze, encouraging her to go on. She surprises me when she drops her gaze from the ceiling and connects with mine.

“It was so much fun to see you interact with your friends and see you through their eyes. It enhanced my view of you and reinforced that you are a good person, because the people you choose to surround yourself with are genuine, kind and welcoming. And last but certainly not least, I learned that maybe I have a little bit of nerd inside me too.”

“I—” I’m at a loss for words. “And here my only goal was to have you be comfortable with my hand on your knee in a group setting.”

But of course, this beautiful, smart, woman found a way to sink past the surface level lessons and wrap her mind around the deeper meaning of group dates and friendship. It’s just another example of how much she doesn’t need to be taught, only reminded that she already knows everything she needs to date in today's world.

Not that I want her to.

No. Tonight only reinforced how much I want to keep Juliet for myself. I’m well aware it’s selfish and some people might perceive it as wrong or taking advantage of the situation, but to them I say,“thank you for your opinion and kindly fuck off.”Because at the end of the day, you can’t help who you fall in love with.

Her cheeks flush an adorable pink. “I didn’t hate having your hands on me.”

Fuck me.

“No?” My cock twitches, and I pray she doesn’t feel it when I shift beneath her.

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