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Lana puts her hand on my back. “Well, the point is, don’t let your pride rob you of your present.”

My voice is a whisper, “Thank you. But I have to work. And I have class. I can’t miss it, or he’ll take me down a letter grade. He’s an asshole like that.”

Chelle offers up, “We can cover for you. If anyone asks where you are we’ll say you’re running an errand for me. Give me your key card. I’ll log you in and out and open random doors through your shift.”

Julia says, “Is your homework done?”

“Most of it. I have reading to do. But I can get it done. And do this I think.”

“I know you can.” Lana puts her hand on mine.

“You broads are ok.” They all laugh and then smack me on the butt. And now my ass is covered in greasy handprints too. Normally I’d be annoyed, today, I’m grateful.

“Go. I’ll have you back here before class on Tuesday.”

“Go. Tell him.”

I nod. Of all the dumb shit I’ve done in my life, this might be the dumbest.

tony

She has to talk to me. Maggie told Colton she lives in West Hollywood. I’ll pound on every door. I didn’t tell Maggie I was coming here, or rather Colton didn’t. They apparently talk all the time. I’ve got to sort this out. There’s something wrong with my life if I let her slide back into the past. Before, I was young and dealing with my parents and Harvard and all that shit, so I let her go.

However, she’s never been in my past. It’s time to find out why she left on my birthday, why she thought breaking up with me was a good idea, and why she won’t continue to give me this second chance. I won’t sleep with her, unless she begs me to. Who am I kidding, if I have a shot at fucking her, I’m taking it. But first we figure shit out. Just about nine months of talking and getting to know her has been more than perfect, but now we get to the answers.

When she came to Boston twelve years ago, it was like a dream. We were perfect until we weren’t. And now she’s put our future in tatters, and I’m not a cocky eighteen-year-old with an ‘I can do better’ attitude to console him so he could move on. Not only can I not do better, I never fucking moved on from the one thing I now know to be the only pure and perfect thing I’m supposed to do with my life. Love her.

I saw who I wanted to be and tried to live up to that every day since. I was a fucking puddle of a mess for a year or so, but I wanted to be this man for her. Whether she ever fucking knew it or not. She stole that version of our future when she ran. Probably a good idea since I was a hot mess of a human at that time. The only thing I was sure of was her. And that wasn’t enough. We both figured out how to be people without each other, and it was fucking hard. So now I want my reward. I greedily want it all.

I’ll be past all my dad bullshit and Laura’s all done. But if she needs reassurance that I don’t want her anywhere but with me, then I’ll pay off the bet. Even though any major financial transaction right now will look like I’m hiding money from my dad. Shit. I can’t lose the bet. And for the first time in my life, I want to.

As the plane lands, I formulate a plan to head to her work headquarters tomorrow and see if I can swindle an address. She must be subletting or something because the only Makenzie Preston registered on the West Coast with the USPS is a PO Box in Henderson, Nevada.

I spark up my phone, and the one text that might define my life is waiting for me. Oh yeah. I’m so losing the bet.

MAK: Four Seasons Bev Hills. Suite 1804. Key at the desk.

The elevator won’t move fast enough. There’s not enough oxygen in here, and my breath is quick and fast. The adrenaline is surging, and unfortunately, so is my cock. It’s sporting a semi in hopes this all means what I think it means. I’d tell him to calm down, but I’m way too fucking excited to see her. We should talk first, instead I’m going to make her come. Naked. I need us both naked.

I run, literally run, down the hall and I’m shocked my dick doesn’t bang on the door himself. I know I have a key, but I’m too amped up, so knocking is helping burn off the shaky feeling I have.

She opens the door, and I swear it’s like twelve years and nine months haven’t passed. She looks exactly the same as when Maggie opened the door to reveal my destiny in room 666.

I stare at her as she bites the inside of her cheek. I only have a shoulder bag, and I toss it behind her. She’s holding open the door, and I step to her. Both of our breaths catch. And then I snatch her up into my arms and take her lips. She moans the exact way my cock and brain remember. I feel her full lips push against mine as I nip her bottom lip encouraging her to open for me. I pick up this wisp of a girl and move into the room. I don’t see anything but her. And if I’m honest, I never have.

I push my tongue into her mouth, and she moans again. Her tongue volleys for dominance. Our heads twisting and turning in a passion I’ve not known since Paris. Or maybe ever. We were teenagers, and now we can fuck like adults. This is an adult porn, powerful kiss. My hands are everywhere, and her noises are sublime.

“Christ, you fucking gorgeous woman, are you ready to be filthy with me? I’m not holding back.”

“You say the sweetest things,” she says, grabbing my rock-hard cock through my jeans.

“Trust me, that’s the last of the sweet.” I rip her shirt off and dive into her neck, my tongue snaking down towards her perky breasts. My hands reach around and undo her bra. The moment the bra is loose, my head dives underneath it to find the perfect nipples—I’ve compared every other tit to these for a decade. I pull one into my mouth and she throws her head back.

“Fuck yes!” Her voice is throaty, and I have to have more.

I kneel down and unzip her pants, pulling them off her legs as I kiss my way down her stomach.

“Just a touch of foreplay because I’m going to fuck you hard and fast. Let’s do this quickly so we can clear our heads and really concentrate on worshiping each other’s bodies.”