Page 227 of Make the Play

I trail my fingers down his chest, dancing over the carnation tattoo on the side of his ribs. He watches me quietly, waiting.

“You really inked me into your skin,” I whisper, half in awe, half in disbelief.

His hand closes over mine.

“Didn’t know where else to put you,” he murmurs. “You’ve always been there.”

I lean down and kiss him slowly, deeply, completely gone for him.

He was trouble. A menace.

Chaos and charm and a thousand bad decisions.

Laughter and lightning and everything I’m not supposed to want.

Now he’s mine.

Chapter forty-six

Messy, real and fucking in love

Zoe – 2 weeks later

The Pulse boardroom smells of coffee, nerves, and man-sized smugness.

It’s the same boardroom where we signed the NDA. Same glass walls, same espresso machine humming in the background, but everything feels different.

Mainly because I’m no longer fake dating Chase Walton.

I’m real dating him, and we’re about to come clean about it.

Chase is sitting beside me wearing a Storm hoodie, grey joggers, and the world’s most punchable smile.

I’m in a blazer, because I’m a damn professional. And if I’m dressed appropriately, I may get through this meeting without murdering him.

“I canfeelyou thinking about stabbing me,” he murmurs, leaning closer. “You still mad I kissed your shoulder in the lobby?”

“Youlickedmy shoulder.”

“It was a loving graze.”

“It wasunsanitary,” I hiss. “We were next to the receptionist.”

“Marge loved it,” he says with a shrug. “She fist-bumped me. I think she ships Chaz.”

“She also offered me a shot of industrial-grade sanitizer.”

The door opens, and in walks the parade: Rachel, my boss. John Raines and Neil from Storm management. Coach Benson. And a guy in a suit who looks so beige he might actuallybean NDA. They all take their seats, and no one looks especially thrilled to be here.

Chase nudges my thigh under the table. “Place your bets. Who blows a gasket first?”

“John,” I whisper back. “But Neil will quote a bylaw first.”

We both nod solemnly.

Rachel scans the table as she sits. “Everyone here? Great, let’s get started. As per the agenda, this meeting is to formally conclude the temporary Pulse-Storm PR partnership involving Ms. Carlson and Mr. Walton—”

“Quick thought—” Chase raises a finger.

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