Page 112 of The Comeback Summer

“I’m sorry about the last time I was here,” I say. “Letting things go too far.”

“I respect if that’s how you feel,” he says. “But I wouldn’t have minded it going a little further.”

Adam’s eyes flicker with a spark of something that looks like desire. Not just physical lust, but something deeper. More emotional.

I shiver under his stare, feeling seen. Not for what I look like, but for who I am. Heat rushes to my core, and for a moment, I’m in my head again. Only this time, the words playing on repeat are from Hannah, saying that I’m beautiful, and from Lou, encouraging me to crush my comfort zone.

Adam’s eyes drift down, and I swear they linger on my lips. I know that look. I’ve never experienced it myself, but I havethrough plenty of characters. And in every book I’ve read, what happens next is inevitable.

Except in the book, the main character didn’t already screw things up by giving the guy every reason to think she wasn’t interested. Even though she is. I am. Very, very, very interested.

I accidentally lick my lips, calling even more attention to my mouth. Adam’s gaze returns to mine, and I can see the question in his eyes.

The answer is a thousand times yes, but I can’t find the words to explain my change of heart. So I go for it. Forcing myself out of my head and into my body, propelling myself off the barstool, leaning over toward Adam.

His head turns in surprise, and our noses collide instead of our lips. Embarrassed, I start to pull back, but he stops me. His hands are on both sides of my face, holding me steady as his lips find mine.

The kiss is gentle at first, like he’s asking permission. Permission I eagerly grant, opening my mouth for him. We stay like that for a beautiful moment, lips and tongues intertwined, until he breaks the kiss, just long enough to hop over the bar so he’s on my side.

I lean back into the stool, bringing him and his beautiful mouth with me. My legs part, making room for him to step closer.

Adam’s hands are on my hips, his fingers inching closer to the waistline of my skirt. Before I can stop myself, I reach out and pinch his arm.

He flinches and steps back, looking as confused as I feel.

“Sorry,” I say, leaning in for another kiss. “I had to make sure you were real.”

“I’m definitely real,” Adam says, pulling me close so I can feel how real he is. Soft in all the right places, and hard in all the right ones, too. “And I’m glad you are, too.”

Thunder claps, shaking the building. We both jump—and I realize how dark it’s gotten. With the lights on, we’re on full display for anyone passing by.

“Upstairs?” Adam’s voice rumbles through me, sending shivers down my spine.

“Good idea,” I agree. “If someone sees us, you might knock Harvey off his pedestal as the ladies’ man of this place.”

Adam laughs. “He can keep the title—I’ve got the prize.”

I lean in for another kiss, and Adam’s hand drifts down my leg, slipping beneath the hem of my skirt.

Another clap of thunder startles us, and we break apart. Adam doesn’t hesitate—he grabs my hand and leads me up the back stairs to his apartment. He hesitates at the first landing and looks back, but I give his hand a squeeze, letting him know I’m still with him.

His face breaks into a smile as bright as pure sunshine, and he flings the door open, pulling me through. Before the door even closes, he presses me against the wall, his body against mine.

“Is this okay?” Adam asks as his lips trace down my neck.

“Mm-hmm,” I murmur. I don’t think I could form words if I tried.

“And this?” he asks, sliding his hand under my skirt, cupping my ass.

I moan in response and arch my body toward him. His erection strains against his jeans, kicking my lust into overdrive.

“Bedroom,” I manage to say, in case my intentions are anything less than crystal clear.

He smiles against my mouth, not breaking our kiss as he walks backward, leading us down a hall to his bedroom. Inside, he reaches for the light switch and turns it on, but I turn it off. I’m not ready to be that seen.

“Take these off?” I say, motioning to his pants.

“Happy to.” Adam smiles down at me as my fingers fumble with the button on his jeans. He helps me, taking them off in one fell swoop.

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