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Mistakes don’t make you look like your panties are on fire every time he stretches.”

I shoot her a look, but she just grins wider.

“Girl, come on. You’ve got it bad, and he knows it. That man breathes, and you short-circuit like a hair dryer in a tub of water.”

I groan, dropping my head into my hands. “I do not short-circuit.”

“You do. And that’s why you need to stop playing defense. You want to survive living with a man like that? Take the reins. Power play, babe. Keep him off balance. You don’t let a guy like that lead…unless it’s straight into your bedroom, and even then, only if he begs.”

I blink. “Are you seriously giving me sex advice right now?”

She sips from the iced coffee she brought herself and shrugs like a queen on her throne. “Please. I’ve turned wild boys into purring kittens and made them beg for a leash. You’re welcome.”

Alessio wanders into the kitchen just as I’m recovering from Halie’s sex-guru monologue. He’s still shirtless, of course, and now sipping a smoothie like it’s his job to remind the world he has abs sculpted by the gods.

He leans against the counter, eyes sweeping over Halie with a slow, calculated appreciation.

“So, you’re the friend.” His voice is smooth as sin. “Soph’s mentioned you.”

Halie raises an eyebrow, lips curving. “Oh? All good things, I hope.”

Alessio’s smirk is lethal. “She said you were dangerous. I like dangerous.”

I bristle before I can stop myself. “I also said she could see through bullshit from a mile away.”

Alessio’s grin widens, and Halie bites back a laugh.

“Yup. Definitely, unresolved tension.”

I shove the fridge door closed a little harder than necessary and shoot him a look. “Shouldn’t you be...oh, I don’t know, wearing a damn shirt?”

Alessio shrugs, utterly unbothered. “You don’t seem to mind most mornings. I figured we’d graduated past formalities.”

“Graduated? You’re on probation, not graduating elementary school.”

He takes a long sip of his smoothie, eyes locked on mine. “Well, professor, maybe you should give me some extra credit.”

Halie chokes on her coffee.

My jaw tightens so hard I could snap a pencil between my molars.

Alessio turns to Halie, tone casual. “So, how long are you in town?”

“Long enough.” She gives him a slow smile. “Though I might extend my stay depending on the... local scenery.”

My stomach does an Olympic-grade somersault.

“I’m sure Soph would love that.”

He’s not even trying to hide the way he’s provoking me.

Halie gives me a side glance. “Would she, now?”

Before I can throw something, possibly the blender, Halie sets her cup down and grabs her bag. “Well, I should go before I spontaneously combust in this sexual pressure cooker.”

She hugs me tightly, whispering near my ear, “You better hit that before I do.”

I glare. “Out.”