Page 314 of Eternal

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He looked over once, then shook his head like he was disappointed in me, not actually, more like amused. “Seriously?” he muttered, putting the car in park again. “Who let you open that door alone?”

I raised an eyebrow. “Are you playing the gentleman now?”

“Have you once opened a damn door when I was with you?”

I thought about it. “No.”

“Exactly.”

Before I could say anything else, he got out, walked around the car like we weren’t late, and opened my door properly, hand extended like I was supposed to step out so he could do the whole thing again.

Is this a joke?

He tilted his head. “Come on. Humor me.”

So I did.

I stepped out, he shut the door behind me, then opened it again like he was resetting the moment.

“There,” he said. “Now we can go.”

I rolled my eyes but got back in, laughing at how stupid this whole thing was.

He settled in next to me again, and I could feel him watching.

“You’re flushed,” he said, eyes dragging over my face like he was memorizing it again. “Did you drink?”

I shrugged. “Maybe. Why? you gonna tell Vik and Kat?”

“Should I?”

Definitely.

“Nope,” I lied.

Lying about it might make it feel less real.

“Partner,” he said quietly, “look at me.”

I turned my head and met his eyes.

“You’ll talk when you’re ready.”

That was it. Nothing more.

Thank you…

Then his hand brushed my thigh. His fingers caressing the strap. Right where the knife was tucked.

He paused, grinned. “Found the knife.”

“Found the prey,” I shot back, deadpan.

He huffed a laugh, and replied, “You can’t try to kill me when I’m being gentle with you,partner. That’s not how it works.”

“I know.”

But I didn’t move, neither did he, his thumb stayed there, over steel and skin and the part of me that always wanted to disappear.

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