“You’re the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted,” I murmur against her lips. “Probably a good thing to counterbalance all the sass that comes out of this mouth.” I slip my tongue into her mouth and savor the way she reacts to the intrusion, meeting me stroke for stroke. My dick starts to harden in my shorts, but I’m too wrapped up in the smell and the taste and the feel of her to care.

“So that’s a yes? We’re doing this?” She pulls back and smiles, giving me a thorough up and down as she bites down on her bottom lip.

I run my hand through my hair and silently scold myself for dragging out this game. I already decided I’m all in. There’s no point pretending I’m still warring over my decision.

“I can’t promise you anything, Maddie. You understand that, right? I don’t have anything to give except the occasional night off…”

“That’s fine,” she insists. “I don’t need promises. I just want you. Unless…”

She trails off, then stares out the window toward her front door, leaving me desperate to know what she’s thinking.

“Unless what?” I demand.

“Never mind.” She plays with the hem of my T-shirt and purposely ignores me to look down at her hands.

“Maddie, I swear to God… If we’re doing this, we’re done playing games. If you have something to say to me, fucking say it.”

She snaps to attention, her eyes meeting mine. I get a thrill out of her reaction—she’s so quick to comply when I get bossy with her. We’re going to have fun together this summer, she and I.

“I was going to say unless you don’t want me,” she huffs out. “God, Dempsey. I don’t know. You’ve been so hot and cold. I can’t help but wonder if maybe this whole thing’s in my head. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone, and you’re just… lukewarm sometimes.”

“You think I’m lukewarm toward you?”

I scoff, unbuckling my seatbelt so I can lean all the way across the center console and wrap her in my arms.

“I’m on fucking fire for you, baby girl.”

I smash my mouth into hers and kiss her the way I’ve wanted to for days. I force myself into her mouth, our tongues dancing and exploring as I show her the depth of my desire. No fucking way is she allowed to question how much I want her. Not now. Not ever again.

My phone alarm rings out through the speakers of the car, and we reluctantly break apart. I scheduled an emergency therapy session for my mom this morning, although I doubt it’ll do any good. Still. I refuse to not try.

“I have to get going,” I lament. “Your house has a security system, right?”