When we’d practiced in her office a few days ago, we’d agreed she was supposed to say that louder, with glee and excitement. You made it! You’re on the team! But now, she swallowed, strengthening her grip around my neck as I wrapped my arms full around her and closed every centimeter of space between us.

“Was there even a doubt that I wouldn’t?”

I balanced her in one arm, freeing the opposite hand to trace the blush that crept along her cheeks. Then, I tilted her chin with my knuckles, watching those wide eyes of hers flutter shut.

And I kissed her.

I don’t know what I expected when this harebrained idea first came to me in that coffee shop bar across campus, but whatever it was ceased to exist the moment my lips found hers.

I was surprised by the soft firmness she met me with, tentative, but seeking. She froze at first contact, an inhale trapped in her chest, but then she slowly exhaled, pulled me into her, and deepened the kiss like we’d shared a hundred before it.

A peck was all I’d expected. Even though she agreed when I said we’d need more to be convincing, I had a feeling once this moment came, she’d allow only a quick brush of my lips against hers. Then, I’d smile and drop her to her feet, tucking her under my arm and pretending like everything was normal while everyone around us freaked out. That’s what I’d imagined.

I had not prepared for Giana to roll her hips, arching into me and breathing in another long kiss with a shockingly seductive moan before I had the chance to break contact. That little motion, how her ass poked out and I felt the heat of her against my lower abdomen made my cock twitch, and I groaned, squeezing her hip before I reluctantly pulled away.

I knew every pair of eyes in that cafeteria was on us, so I couldn’t say a word. I simply arched a brow to let her know that was quite a surprise of a kiss, but she only flushed deeper, tucking her chin and making her curls waterfall over her face as I gently set her feet back on the ground.

Just like I’d planned, I tossed my arm around her, kissing her hair before I put my hand at the small of her back and guided her to take the spot in front of me in line.

“You breathing?” I whispered.

“Barely.”

I smiled, taking the serving spoon out of her hand when we passed the mixed vegetables. “You seemed a little frazzled when you blew in here.”

“It’s been crazy all morning,” she said on a heavy sigh, reaching out for a blueberry cake donut, but then pausing and moving on.