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“You should go if you want to go, love. We’ll make sure you have time to read,” Killian murmurs, squeezing my hand. I believe that he thinks we can make that happen, and while he’s here, I can see it being possible. But when he goes home … I don’t want to think about that on my birthday.

“Can you text me the details?” I ask Gabi, and she nods, excitedly. It’s not a commitment, but I’m trying.

I tug Killian away from the party, toward the kitchen. This whole thing is incredible, but we’ve talked to at least three dozen people at this point, and I could use a little quiet. The kids are in a room full of people they know, so I’m not worried. The kitchen is empty, as I expected, considering all of my colleagues are out front, but I lead him back to the breakroom.

I know I made the right call when he drops onto the worn plaid couch and lets out a long breath as he holds out his hand to pull me down onto his lap.

“It’s a lot of people,” I say, chuckling and settling in against him.

“So many,” he agrees. “Everyone is so nice here, though. And they all think the world of you.”

I don’t know if there’s anything to the superstition that Clover Pines is lucky, or if there are just so many good people here that good things happen more than they do in your average small town. But I do know how lucky I am that this is the one I get to call home. Small-town life isn’t for everyone, but Killian got all these people to show up here, without much notice, just for me.

“They’re good people. And everyone seems to be a big fan of you,” I tell him, wholly unsurprised that they all like him so much.

“As long as you’re a big fan, everyone else is a bonus.”

“The biggest. Well, the second biggest. I think the kids are probably tied for first.” I lightly grip his face, rubbing my thumb over his cheek. He shaved a few days ago, but his face is already scratchy with scruff again. I love that I can feel his kisses on my skin long after they’re over.

“I could never complain about that,” he says, a glowing smile taking over his face. God, I’m so fucking obsessed with his smiles. I want to save each and every one to keep me warm when he lea— Nope. Not thinking about that on my birthday.

“Thank you for today,” I tell him, instead. “This is … It’s amazing, Kill. You always seem to know exactly what I want, even when I don’t know I want it. What did I do to deserve you?” I say the last part mostly to myself, but, naturally, that’s what Killian picks up on.

“You deserve the world, baby. But I’m going to keep trying to be good enough, anyway.”

How he could ever possibly think he isn’t enough, I’ll never understand. “You’re better than the world,” I tell him, then press my lips to his. I planned on it being a small, chaste kiss, but our bodies have other ideas. He tastes divine, and I groan as he slides his hand against my scalp, holding tight to me.

We break apart at the sound of the door opening and the “ugh” that follows.

“I found them,” my brother calls over his shoulder, before turning back to us, looking a little like he’s trying to keep the contents of his stomach in. “I’m no expert on party etiquette, but I think the birthday girl’s presence is required before they bring the cake out.”

Piper appears beside him, an eyebrow raised. She shakes her head, looking more like a teacher than I’ve ever seen her.

“Why does it feel like we’re teenagers who just got caught making out by their parents?” I ask, climbing out of Killian’s lap and smoothing down the maxi dress that’s now hitting me mid-thigh.

“I like this new side of you,” Piper says. “And because I’m such a good friend, I will happily take the kids tonight so you two can pick up where you left off in here, but with less clothes and less people around.”

Landon wrinkles his nose. “Jesus. I did not need to hear that.”

34

Scarlett

“Oh, my fucking god.”

I slam my hand against the headboard as another wave of bliss washes over me.

Killian’s fingers dig into my hips as he moves me over his face, the bite of them against my skin the only thing tethering me to reality while he treats me like his last supper. Any uncertainty I had when he told me to get up here? Gone. Dead. Lost to the rainbow-colored spots clouding my vision.

“You’re so fucking good at this, baby,” Killian groans as he takes a breath, before diving straight back in. I’m not doing anything—he’s doing all the work here. I’m just along for the ride and so happy about it.

He runs the tip of his tongue around my clit, then drags it over me and presses it inside me, letting out a long moan when my pussy spasms around him. Jesus. I’m not sure who’s enjoying this more. I throw my head back, rocking myself against him. The friction is a goddamn dream.

I crumble for him, shattering into a million little pieces, and Killian devours each and every one. I’m vaguely aware of him breathing harder, his moans increasing in speed and volume, and then something wet against my back.

“Fuck,” he gasps, as I sit up on my knees, both of us fighting for breath.

It takes a hell of a lot of energy, but I look over my shoulder and suck in a breath. “Holy shit. You … That’s so fucking hot. But I didn’t even touch you.”