Page 78 of Text Me Baby One More Time

I stand to my full height, turning toward her. “You might not ride me right now, Denny, but youwillbe riding me later.”

She lifts her hand to smack at me and I grab it in midair, using the opportunity to drag her toward me and toss her over my shoulder fireman style.

“Dammit, Shep! Put me down!”

I bite her ass cheek. “Shush it.”

“Oh mygod—did you just bite my ass?” She hits me.

“Are you punching my butt right now?

“Yes!” She hits my cheek again. “How is it so hard?”

“Squats, baby. Lots of fucking squats.” I do one right then, holding her like she weighs nothing—because she doesn’t.

The biggest thing on Denny is her mouth.

“Oh, wow. I’msoturned on right now,” she says sarcastically. “What is wrong with you? Put me down!”

I don’t.

I carry her through the parking lot, smiling at the few strangers giving us weird looks, and I don’t let her down until we reach the sidewalk.

She slides down my body, winded from yelling and beating me.

“I hate you.”

I lean down, tilting my head like I’m about to go in for a kiss, and watch as her breaths quicken.

She wants the kiss.

I do too.

Problem is, if I start kissing her now, I won’t be able to stop.

“Two things. One, you don’t look ridiculous. You look fucking stunning.”

Her pupils expand, and she darts her tongue out to lick at her lips.

“Two, what have I told you about lying, Den?” Forcing myself to back away before I fuse my mouth with hers, I step through the automatic doors and call over my shoulder, “You coming?”

She mutters something I swear sounds like, “I wish,” and follows me into the store.

We look like goons, walking around the grocery store in fancy clothes. It’s early enough for there to still be plenty of shoppers, and we’re garnering an abundance of stares.

I let her wander around, loading her arms with random snacks and, of course, plenty of mint chocolate chip ice cream.

When she finally announces she’s done, I pay for her haul and load the truck up.

We agree on a pizza—extra green olives for her—and head back to my place.

“Good evening, sir! Hello again, Miss Andrews.”

Denny waves to the old man then looks at me, surprised Jim knows her name.

“I told him you’d probably be here with me a lot.” I shrug. “Hey, Jim. How are the parents doing?”

“Fantastic, sir. Tiptop shape.”

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