Page 170 of Tag

He kissed me one last time. It was quick, light, almost chaste if not for the way his lips lingered a fraction too long, like he was branding me.

“I’ll let you get dressed now.”

I hesitated, my pulse thundering as I glanced down — then back up at him.

“But you didn’t… you’re still…”

A low, lazy chuckle vibrated through his chest. His hand slid over my hip once more, possessive even as he stepped back.

“I can handle this. You couldn’t handle what it would take to fix it.” His gaze dipped to my mouth, then lower, searing through me. “One day.”

Promise and threat stitched together, he finally turned, exiting the bathroom without another word.

I spotted Ryder leaning against the pool table, scrolling through his phone like he hadn’t nearly wrecked me twenty minutes ago. He was in fresh clothes, black tee clinging to him in all the wrong ways beneath his jacket he’d reclaimed, and his dark hair was still wet. He must’ve used the other bathroom to get ready.

I glanced down and—yep. He had definitely taken care of himself. Only the usual print was visible in his grey sweatpants that should honestly be criminalized. Cade was dressed too, already looking at me with a giant grin stretched across his face. Ryder looked up then, and our eyes locked.

He didn’t say anything.

He didn’t have to.

The way his gaze traveled over me, he knew exactly what I was thinking and wanted me to keep thinking about it.

“Ready to go?” he asked.

I nodded, pretending my pulse wasn’t doing gymnastics.

“Good night?” Cade asked, wagging his brows like the instigator he was.

“Great night. Would’ve been a greater morning if someone didn’t decide to sing off-key.”

“That’s rich coming from someone who turns into Cardi B when they get too tipsy,” he shot back.

“Okay, first of all, I only did that once, and I was provoked.”

“Provoked? You pulled a whole Coyote Ugly with Roxxi.”

“Exactly,” I reasoned, straight-faced as I slipped my cheer shoes on since the alternative was the boots I’d been wearing. “I was provoked by the music. It’s like when that one Juvenile song comes on and Cloe immediately gets in position. Ari too.”

Cade mock glared. “Don’t drag sweet Ari into this.”

“She’s not sweet when ‘Back That Azz Up’ comes on,” I quipped, antagonizing him with a grin.

He reached out to grab my bags, shaking his head like I’d just slandered a national treasure. I gave him a grateful smile.

“Such a gentleman,” I teased.

“I try my best. Plus, I figured the guy who made you come seven times last night needed a break.”

My mouth dropped open. “Cade!”

He grinned wider. “I almost stood up and gave a standing ovation.”

Ryder laughed. “I was going to carry them for her, but you already took up the task.”

I groaned and rubbed my hand over my face. “Can we just go?”

Ryder opened the door. “Ladies first.”

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