His hand on my mouth tightened in a way that should’ve sent a surge of terror through me, but it didn’t. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me. Not ever. Instead, arousal pooled at my core. It grew when he leaned in, the long, thick, rock-hard proof of his matching excitement pressed to my stomach. “If you think I want anyone but you, you haven’t been paying a fuckin’ lick of attention.”

He removed his hand, only to replace it with his mouth. Crowded against the door, Ward kissed me like he hadn’t just rocked my world. Like I didn’t have a million denials and refusals on the tip of my tongue. His own tongue pushed in, twirling in an attempt to devour the bitterness that coated mine.

And it worked, dammit.

Because within moments, I kissed him back. Clutched at him. Arched into him.

Too soon, Ward pulled away. Well, his top half. He used the rest of his body to keep me pinned as he looked over his shoulder. His voice was strained, his pleasant-ish tone forced when he asked, “What?”

“What what?” I sure as hell hadn’t said anything.

It was rude to speak with a mouth full of lies and someone else’s tongue.

I leaned to the side to look around Ward’s wide body and saw Katarzyna standing on the lawn between our houses. She didn’t look upset at Ward kissing me.

And he wasn’t jumping back, trying to hide what we’d been doing.

So either they had the most open relationship—or situation-ship, as Everly called it—or they hadn’t slept together.

Well…

This is embarrassing.

“Dinner is here, Hollywood,” Katarzyna called.

“Gimme a second.” Ward cupped my face, lowering his until we were eye to eye. Until he was all I could see, blocking out the world like a handsome wall. “I wasn’t gonna fuck you till I got tested. Knew I was clean, but when it comes to you and Squish, I wanted to be absolutely sure. Got the all clear earlier and spent the day fighting getting hard at the thought of finally being inside you.” His gaze dropped before returning to meet mine. “Since your stomach growled when Katarzyna mentioned food, I’m gonna feed you first. Then, you feel like talking to her, great. But no matter what else happens tonight, I’m ending it in bed with you.”

The way he’d been concerned for my safety meant a lot.

That he’d been concerned for Squish meant everything. More than he could possibly ever know.

And he wasn’t done yet.

“And, baby, make sure you eat a lot. None of that picking at the healthy shit. ’Cause we’re not leaving that bed till you believe me when I say that it is you and me.” A sinful, dimpled smile formed. “And we’re just gettin’ started, neighbor.”

Oh shit.