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I want to argue but decide against it, holding my hands out in the same way he did to me back at Owen’s apartment. “Keys.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he says, my favorite grin on his face as he pulls the keys out of the ignition and drops them in my hand. We climb out of the Jeep together and he goes around to the back to grab my things while I head up the stairs to unlock the door. Once the door is unlocked, I move the chair in front of it to keep it open and Dalton walks in carrying all the totes from my old apartment. I look around my new space, remembering all the little trinkets, all the pieces of me in those totes. I can’t wait to put them up here and really make this place my own.

“I’ll just go grab that suitcase and then you’re all set,” Dalton says and I nod. As he heads back down to the Jeep, my stomach drops. After he brings my suitcase up, there is nothing else to do.

He’s going to leave.

And I don’t want him to.

Maybe that thought should concern me but I’m following Morgan’s advice here.

I wanted to kiss Dalton.

So I did.

And it was incredible.

I don’t want him to leave yet.

But how the hell do I get him to stay.

He comes back through the door with my suitcase in hand and sets it down next to the totes in the middle of the living room. I tuck my hands in the back pockets of my shorts and offer him a smile.

“Thank you for all your help today.”

He nods. “No worries. Glad I could help.”

Come on, Lennon.

Think of something.

I take a step toward the living room, intent on opening the totes and maybe asking for his help to hang some stuff up, anything to get him to stay a little while longer. He moves for the door at the same time. We meet awkwardly in the middle of the room and I look up at him. His eyes are locked on me, devouring every inch of my face before settling on my lips.

Oh God.

I can still feel his kiss from before and the way he’s looking at me now is enough to unravel me.

He flicks his gaze to my eyes and takes a step closer, his tongue darting out to wet his bottom lip. My heartbeat pounds in my ears and my mind is mush.

I want this.

I want him.

His gaze drops to my lips again and he whispers, “Can I kiss you?”

I nod before my brain even fully processes his words and he’s on me, his arms wrapping around my body tight and pulling me closer.

We meld together.

Like a force of nature.

Like waves crashing against the rocks.

One of his hands pressing against my lower back, holding me tightly against his body, while the other snakes up my back and grips the back of my neck in a hold that feels like possession. His tongue flicks against my lips, demanding entrance and I give into him so easily, letting out a quiet moan as his tongue tangles with mine, teasing.

God, the man can kiss.

We’re moving, falling back until I’m pressed against the wall next to the front door. His knee slips between my legs and I reach up with one hand, threading my fingers through the hair at the base of his neck as I grip his t-shirt in the other. A deep rumble fills his chest and I whimper in response.