Page 110 of Tag

“Are you giving me a choice?”

His answer came soft but unflinching. “You already made it.”

His gaze dropped to my mouth, and I swallowed hard. My hand came up, hesitant, cupping his face.

“We can’t…” I whispered, my voice breaking on the edges.

If I let myself go there now, there’d be no pulling back. I was already past the point of redemption as someone’s girlfriend, but crossing that final line? It wouldn’t be a one-time thing. It would never stop. It would consume us both, and I wasn’t naïve enough to pretend otherwise.

“I know, Sass. I know,” he said, his voice low and rough, threaded with a restraint that nearly undid me.

“I can’t fuck you on the counter yet. Can’t put you on your knees in the middle of this kitchen. Can’t bend you over the couch and make you forget every excuse you’ve ever given yourself for why this shouldn’t happen.”Adark laugh curled at the edge of his words. “This stopped being just friends a long time ago, Sass. For me, it’s all been foreplay. And I can play a little longer.”

His breath brushed my lips, warm and deliberate. The self-control in his voice, so unlike him, was almost more dangerous than the words themselves.

“Ryder—” I breathed, torn between panic and the raw, aching desire for him spiraling through me.

He leaned in, his nose brushing mine, mouth so close I could almost feel his lips. Then, just as suddenly, he drew back, brow furrowed as he looked around the house.

“What is that smell?”

I blinked, dazed.What?I took a breath and smelled it too. My eyes widened. “Crap.”

I spun around; my gaze locked onto the toaster. Smoke curled up like an omen from hell. “Damnit.” I hit the cancel button and yanked the lever back harder than necessary. Two burnt-to-hell toaster strudels launched out like they were mocking me. I stared down at their charred edges, blackened beyond saving, and noticed the dial turned all the way to the max. Who the hell was using that setting?

“They’re burnt, Rye.”

I heard him as he came closer. “Sanj,” his voice was careful, like he wasn’t sure which direction to take. “Are you… crying?” He was attempting not to laugh. I could tell.

“No.”

“You’re trying not to.”

My eyes stung. Go figure, it was this stupid, blackened, sugary mess that cracked me entirely. “Only because you pointed it out.”

He wrapped his arms around my waist, hugging me from behind. “I think you need this,” he murmured. “Nice outfit, by the way.”

I laughed lightly. “I love this hoodie.” I brushed the hem where it hit mid-thigh. “It makes me feel safe like you do, and it’s comfy.”

Ryder let out a soft sound, something close to a hum, and rested his chin lightly on the top of my head. “I make you feel safe, do I?”

My eyes closed, a bittersweet ache blooming in my chest. It was so easy to fall back into…well, us.

I turned in his arms and pressed my cheek against his chest, listening to the steady, unrelenting rhythm of his heartbeat. “You’ve always been my safe place, Rye.”

He didn’t answer with words. Just held me tighter, fingers trailing through my hair, slow and soothing, like he knew I needed to hold onto him a little longer. I pulled back with a small, embarrassed smile and turned toward the counter.

“Let’s pretend I didn’t almost need to be institutionalized over burnt toaster strudels.”

He laughed, the sound low and warm. “It’ll be our secret.”

I caught my reflection in the microwave door and winced. “Oh my God. Rye, I look like a trash panda.”

His eyes dragged over me slowly, like he was mapping every inch.

“Your hair’s messy in that just-rolled-out-of-bed way. No makeup. Drowning in my hoodie. You’ve never looked more fucking beautiful.”

I rolled my eyes, but my face flushed warm all the same as I changed the subject. “Hey, about the fight at the Nest. Is everyone okay? Cade and Nick weren’t hurt?”

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