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“We’ll see about that,” he says.

His lips whisper over mine so gently I’m not sure if it’s even real, or if I’m imagining it. My heart skips a beat.

Then, so suddenly it’s downright whiplash-inducing, he smacks a totally platonic kiss on my forehead—the kind moms drop on their kids when they’re wishing them a good day in the carpool lane—and gets up.

I blink and try to somehow force my mind back on track and out of the dismantled state he’s put me into.

I watch him pull out a pair of sweats and pull them on. A green Brighton Nomads T-shirt follows.

“What… what are you doing?” I ask when he stuffs his wallet and phone into his pocket.

“I’ve got practice in twenty,” he says. It’s offensive how completely normal he sounds. “Have to get going.”

“Oh.” I get up and try to figure out exactly where my pants disappeared to earlier. I get down on my knees on the floor and peer under the bed to see if they’re there. No dice.

I frown.

“Hey, have you seen my…”

I glance over my shoulder and find Ryker’s eyes on me. Or, to be more precise, on my ass.

“Like the view?” I ask.

He takes a bit of time to answer and instead of the lighthearted, joking vibe, he’s now frowning.

“Yeah,” he says slowly. “I do.”

I get up and try to gauge the sudden shift in the air. He sounds a bit dazed. Like he’s just been smacked in the face with an answer to a major problem he’s been trying to solve for a long time.

He’s in front of me, then, and I find myself backed against the wall with his tongue in my mouth, hands squeezing my waist.

Once he’s done with me, I have to swallow a few times to remember how to make words.

“What was that?” I ask.

“A preview.” His eyes stay on my lips for a moment before he meets my gaze. “What do you have planned for the rest of the day?”

“Um…” I try to remember. It’s not going too well. “I’m supposed to study for a test,” I finally say.

“Do it here.”

This whole situation screams of the need to put some space between me and him, and I don’t understand how he doesn’t get it.

“I’ll be back in a few hours. We can inspire each other.”

“We’ll distract each other is more likely.”

“No, I’m thinking we’ll hit the books for a while, then I’ll quiz you. You pass the test? I’ll give you a reward after.”

It would be nice to have willpower.

I should really research where to find some.

“Okay.”

I get another kiss out of that deal, because handshakes aren’t a thing anymore, I guess?

In another five minutes the door clicks shut behind him, and I’m alone. I look around. Alone in Ryker’s apartment. The absolute worst thing about this situation is that I don’t feel out of place here. Instead, I feel comfortable. Almost as if I belong here.