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Again.

Goddammit.

Then I feel Layla's fingers slip into mine.

The smile disappears. Not because I don't like it. Because I do.

Too fucking much.

I look down. She isn't watching the chaos. She's watching me.

“Apparently you're ruining your reputation, Mr. Knight.”

Her tone is teasing. But there's a question underneath it.

I hear it.

Does this bother you?

Maybe even⁠—

Do I bother you?

I curl my fingers around hers.

“No.”

“No?”

“I don't give a fuck about my reputation.”

Her eyes search mine.

“You've spent your entire adult life protecting your privacy.”

“I’ll always protect my privacy, Firecracker.”

I lift our joined hands slightly.

“But that doesn’t mean pretending you don't exist. Or that I don’t want you in my life.”

That shuts her up. A rare and beautiful achievement.

Her lips part. Something vulnerable flashes through those hazel eyes before she tries to hide it.

I don't let her. My thumb brushes across her knuckles.

“You're here because I want you here, Firecracker.”

The room is still loud around us.

People laughing. Dani shrieking at Tank to stop cheating. Carolina ordering everyone away from the first editions. But somehow it feels like only Layla and me.

Her fingers tighten around mine. And there it is again.

A dangerous fucking longing.

Because this feels good. Too good.