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“Okay, to be fair, Randall and I still have to iron out the details. I still have to talk to the bank and look at the paperwork and figure out…well, everything. But I made Randall an offer. I’ve always loved what he created with the company. I never thought about getting involved because it’s not law, but I always admired his vision. And I want a piece of it.”
My heart feels like it’s going to burst out of my chest. “Lucas…that’s incredible. Holy shit.”
He looks so damn proud of himself. “I know. I kind of can’t believe it. I’ll probably have to supplement my income somehow and completely change my financial habits, but…” He pulls me closer, tilting my chin up to meet his eyes. “I just realized, I didn’t care about being a lawyer if the only thing it got me was money and fun puzzles. That’s not to say I won’t go back to it one day, but for now, I want to care less about being rich and successful, and more about being someone you can be proud of.”
I place my hand on the side of his face and smile, my vision blurring the tiniest bit. “I’m already proud of you.”
“Yeah?” he asks with a dazed smile.
I’m nodding as I kiss him again. “Yeah,” I whisper.
His hands sink into my hair and his tongue sinks deep into my mouth, and we exchange moans that don’t want to stay trapped. I feel my back press against the wall as it heats further. Too much has happened, and it’s been too long since things have been good between us.
I’m ready for it to be good between us.
When we eventually separate, we’re both breathing heavily. His forehead drops to mine and his eyes slide closed.
“Can we get out of here?” he asks, pressing another quick kiss to my lips and then my forehead. “I’m so ready to be done with this place.”
I nod quickly. “Yes, please.”
He steps back, taking one of my hands and holding tight. “And you’ll come back to stay at my place while we figure out what’s next?” A thoughtful expression crosses his face. “Although I’ll probably have to sell the apartment soon.”
“Does that bother you?” I ask him.
His eyes lock on mine, a slow smile stretching across his face.
“As long as you’re with me, I don’t think anything can bother me.”
Happiness spreads through my veins. “In that case, yes, I’ll come back to your place. For now. Until we figure out what’s next.”
He slings my backpack over his shoulder and tugs me toward the door. “Amazing. Let’s get the fuck out of here then.”
But then something registers and a laugh bubbles out of me. “One small problem.”
He shoots a frown over his shoulder. “What’s that?”
“I’m on my bike. Guess you’ll have to ride bitch one more time.”
LUCAS’S EPILOGUE
Three months later…
I’m just finishing the icing on the cake when I hear the water shut off. Knowing Charli, I have about five minutes to add the candles before she joins me in the kitchen.
Sure enough, I’m adding the last candle when she emerges from our bedroom, pulling her hair out of the bun she showers with. She’s wearing her usual outfit, the one I love more than anything: fishnets, ripped jeans, and a black tank top with a flannel over top.
And then she stops when she sees the cake on the counter.
“Happy birthday, baby girl.”
Her shocked eyes move to mine, then back to the cake. “How did you…?”
Stepping forward, I take her hand and pull her into my arms. “Well, I don’t know if you remember,” I start with a grin, “but a few months ago, I challenged this girl I liked to a hacking challenge. I bet that I could make her come faster than she could hack into something.”
I love that Charli shivers at the reminder. It’s been an intoxicating challenge, finding all the ways I can turn her on.
“What does that have to do with this cake?” she asks, sounding slightly breathless.
