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He squints atcloser as he stares at“I know We should’ve told you”

“He tried to—”

“I know”

One of his arms still holds me securely to his body, but the other reaches up to brushdown the side of my face His knuckles trail over my jawline, and the look on his face makes my heart beat painfully hard His expression is tender and fierce at the same time, and that’s just what it feels like when he presses his lips to mine and kisses me

Tender and fierce

For the htsex with one of his best friends It doesn’t lected to tell me their entire surveillance of me was for my protection

It just matters that I’m alive That he came for me That they all did

My hands grasp at his broad shoulders as I kiss hiht and day, as a thunderstorentle, and he kissesto infuse himself with my essence

His tongue darts out, rabs me by the waist and pulls me away

“All right That’s enough” His voice is steely

River’s gaze flicks to hi as his friend speaks Then he reaches out and givesme back toward hiain—and this ti tentative about it He threads his fingers throughhi in it

I can’t help but think he and Lincoln are working soh their actions, negotiating for territory or so as it is, also seee to Linc that the tall, dark-haired boy doesn’t own et to claim me for his own

That’s a et behind, so I throwthe feel of his hands in my hair and his oakh me

One of the twins—Chase, I think—whistles as our lips finally break apart River doesn’t releaseme into his side as we turn to face the others

Lincoln’s aht, you fucker I get it Now can I take her home?”