Page 14 of Forbidden Match

“Not anymore,” I say with a shrug.

He shakes his head. “You candealwith strangers now, sure. But you’d still hate spending the night with one.”

He takes the envelope from me and shakes the cards before shuffling them. “Might as well play this game to keep my mind off how hungry I am.”

His glare is fierce, but not angry. He actually looks like he’s hungry and once again, I get a thrilled shiver up and down my spine. Having him so close to me in the woods got me all off-kilter and my legs still feel like jelly. We sit on the plush rug in front of the fire as holds out the deck of cards to me.

“Wait, we’re supposed to drink or something, right?” I say.

“Not happening, Molly,” he tells me. “We’ll just put our hands up.”

“Fine,” I say, a little pleased that he’s still being protective.

I draw the first question and read it aloud. “Never have I ever cheated on my partner.”

Both our hands stay down and I sigh with relief. “What the fuck?” he asks. “You think I’d cheat?”

“Of course not,” I assure him. “I mean, when would you have the time since you’re always working?”

In fact, I can’t even remember his last girlfriend, though I do admittedly tend to block that sort of thing out.

Suddenly, he jumps up to find some snacks in the kitchen and we ignore the cards for a while, chatting instead about his latest job and my marketing classes. He surprises me when he asks about some ways to get more eyes on his construction business because he wants to expand and hire more workers.

At first, I thought he was just being kind, but he really listens to my suggestions. The time flies by and soon our dinner arrives, the silver-covered trays getting wheeled in on a huge cart. We sitawkwardly around the table as the server sets everything out for us, only relaxing once he leaves. Neither one of us is used to such splendor and we laugh as we clink our water glasses together in a toast.

“Should we keep playing the game?” he asks. “We can take a bite or something for each answer.”

I agree, glad that he finally seems to be having as much fun as I am. I’ve completely shut out the doubtful little voice screaming in my head that my heart is going end up getting hurt if I let myself believe this is real. That I still have a chance with him. I just want to enjoy every minute I have alone with Levi while I can.

“Never have I ever had a threesome,” he says.

Neither of us takes a bite and we laugh. “Never have I ever been with someone ten or more years older,” I read. “Goodness, what’s with these cards? Can’t they ask if we’ve shoplifted a candy bar or something?”

“Are you confirming your past life of crime?” he jokes, but once again neither of us takes a bite. “At this rate, we’re going to starve.” He pulls another card, his ears turning red. “Never have I ever sucked on my partner’s toes.”

I crack up and our forks stay on the table. “Look,” I say. “I’m actually pretty hungry. I’m just going to admit what you probably already know so that we can eat.” I take a breath. “I’m not going to be able to take a bite for any of these questions because I’m a virgin.”

He barely blinks. Of course he knows. He and my brother saw to that by scaring off any interested boys during high school. What nearly knocks me off my chair is when he quietly says thathe is too. I stare at him, about to accuse him of joking about something serious, but his eyes don’t waver.

“Are you kidding me? But how? You were so popular in school. You’re built like a superhero, you’ve got a successful business, and you’re really sweet when you want to be.”

He smiles wryly, shaking his head at my compliments. “You tell me why you are first. And don’t say me and Sam bullied the guys away. You could have if you really wanted to.”

I nod and stare at my food before looking him boldly in the eyes.

It’s now or never. Once he rejects me, I can work on putting the pieces of my broken back together. “Itisbecause of you, though,” I tell him. “You’re the only one I want.”

He swears under his breath, searching my face before looking down at his own plate for several long, aching seconds. I don’t know about him, but I’m not thinking about food at all anymore. I drag my chair closer to him and stretch my hand out to him before resting it on his leg.

“Now you tell me,” I urge, bracing myself. Ready to hear about how he’s too busy, and doesn’t want to get involved with anyone …

“I spent most of high school working so I didn’t have to count on my useless uncle. But, that isn’t the real reason.”

Practically holding my breath I ask him, “What’s the real reason?”

“Same,” he says instead.

“Same what?” I inch even closer. He pushes his hand into my hair, his thumb gliding across my cheek.

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