Page 63 of Digging Deeper

Holds taps my back on the way out instead of waiting for a hug like he usually would, and I’m grateful since I don’t want to let go of Drix anytime soon.

After he and Peanut are out the door, Drix asks, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Taking a deep breath, I say, “I am now.”

He kisses me lightly. “Some days are going to be like this. I can’t always—”

I put my finger on his lips to stop him. “I get it, but it’s going to take some getting used to, I guess.” I bite my lip. “I can’t promise I won’t freak out, but I’ll do my best.”

He runs his hand through my hair. “And I’ll do my best to call or text if I’m going to be late.”

I nod and press my lips to his. “When you weren’t here, I couldn’t help but think about Taylor, and…” I sigh and lean forward to rest my forehead on his chest. “I’m sorry.”

“There’s no reason to be sorry, sweetheart. I would’ve worried, too.” He cups my head and pulls my face up to look me in the eyes and smile. “I love you, Gav.”

Every time he says it, my heart flutters, and I swear it’s like he’s stitching it back together. “I love you, too.”

He kisses me, then pulls me farther into the house, saying, “I’m starving and I need to get out of my uniform.”

I look him up and down because he is damn hot. “I think I can help you with that.”

“Is that right?”

Before I can answer, he manages to scoop me up into his arms, crashes his mouth to mine, and walks me backward to our bedroom.

* * *

Drix suddenly exclaims,“Oh my god, seriously, Gav?”

“What?”

He walks to the elliptical, bends down, and pulls a spider out from between two poles. “You hid more spiders?”

I laugh, a little out of breath from our workout. “Nope. That’s been here this whole time.”

“No, it hasn’t.”

I lift my hands and shrug. “Uh, yeah, it has. I’ve been wondering how long it’d take you to notice.”

He shakes his head and asks, “How many did you hide?”

“A hundred.”

His eyes widen. “I’ve only found like eighty.”

“Eighty-six, now.”

“You’re still counting?”

I nod. “Yep. I’ve been adding to my tally every time you find one. I have it in a notebook upstairs.”

“You are so ridiculous,” he mutters as he walks closer to me and bends at the waist so his face is right in mine. “So, so crazy.” His breath is warm on my skin.

“You love me anyway.”

“No.” He smiles. “I love youbecauseyou’re so crazy.” Before I can respond, he crashes his lips into mine. I grunt in surprise, but eagerly return the kiss, deepening it, and my fingers trail up Drix’s strong chest to his neck and into his hair as I stand and press my body to his.

His hand sneaks under the back of my shirt and his fingertips trial along my skin, tracing right above the hem of my pants around to my hip. His hand splays across my stomach and it’s like he sets me on fire. I grip his shoulders hard, slide my hands down his back and under his shirt, dying to feel his skin.

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