Page 99 of The Jack*ss in Class

I was his girlfriend?

“Ooh,” he said with a whole lot of excitement in his voice. “Does this count as research? Fuck, yeah. I am so down to get you inspired to write all night long.”

Same.

BAGGACHOMC

FLYNN

Light filtered through the thin curtains of the cabin, painting golden streaks across Tempest’s adorable as fuck sleeping face. I’d been awake for nearly an hour, just watching her.

This moment felt... different. I’d woken up next to plenty of women before, but never with this bone-deep contentment. Never with this certainty that there was nowhere else I’d rather be.

I was so fucking in love with her.

This wasn't some fling, and I wasn't pretending it was only because she'd let me into her bed. I wanted into her heart too.

The plan had always been to feel nothing, attach to no one, protect myself. But I traced the curve of Tempest’s cheek with my eyes, cataloging the constellation of freckles across her nose, and there was only this surprising sense of rightness.

Loving her wasn’t scary. It was the easiest, most natural thing I’dever done.

Her eyes fluttered open, confusion giving way to recognition as she focused on me. “Were you watching me sleep?” Her voice was husky with sleep.

“Guilty.” I smiled, tucking a curl behind her ear. “You drool, by the way.”

She gasped, hand flying to her mouth, and I laughed.

“I’m kidding.” I pulled her closer, reveling in the warmth of her against me.

“Jackass.” She pushed halfheartedly at my chest, but snuggled closer. “What time is it?”

“Early.” I pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Storm’s passed, but let’s pretend it’s still a freak hurricane outside so we can stay in bed.”

She hummed contentedly, her fingers tracing absent patterns on my chest. I caught her hand, bringing it to my lips.

“Are you going to make me guess your pen name like I did with Burrito, or will you tell me, my sexy, mysterious author?”

A blush crept up her neck, but there was a hint of pride in her eyes as she said, “I don’t think I could take your awful guesses.”

“Come on. If it’s not Amanda Hugandkiss, I give up.” I already had at least half a dozen just as ridiculous guesses at the ready.

Tempest put her hand over my mouth. “It’s Miranda Milan.”

The name hit me like a linebacker at full speed. “Wait...like THE Miranda Milan?”

Her eyes widened. “You’ve heard of me?”

“Jules is obsessed with your books.” I sat up, incredulous. “She made every Kingman in a ten mile radius scour bookstores when your last one came out because they were sold out everywhere.”

Tempest’s mouth fell open, then curved into a surprised smile. “Are you serious?”

“Completely. There’s a group chat with Trixie’s book club called ‘Mint Milans’ where they freak out over every single book.” I accidentally let out a laugh at her stunned expression. “Tempest, do you not realize how big your books are?”

She shook her head slightly. “I mean, obviously I know they sell well, but it’s hard to connect that with... real readers. Real people.” Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of the sheet. “It still doesn’t feel real sometimes.”

“It’s very real.” I cupped her face in my hand and brushed my thumb across her lower lip. I kissed her softly. “And I’m more than happy to help with further research.” I let my eyes travel down her body, still half covered by the sheet. “Got any positions you haven’t written about that you wanna try out?”

She bit her lip. “I hadn’t tried any of it until last night.”

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