Page 124 of Bend

“It wasn’t an insult.”

“You called me small and loud.”

“You are small and loud.”

“I can still hit you from here.”

“I know.”

His thumb brushes my chin again.

“But you’re also bright. You don’t even realize you’re doing it half the time. You just show up and everything feels different.”

My chest goes tight in that uncomfortable, warm way I’m still getting used to. Nobody’s ever compared me to something soft before.

Complicated. Difficult. Too much.

Those I know.

Firefly?

That one gets me.

I swallow. “That’s disgustingly romantic.”

Wolfe grins. “You asked.”

“You know, I’m really starting to regret it.”

“No, you’re not.”

I stare at him and his eyes drop to my mouth.

Mine do the same.

“Cocky Canadian,” I mumble.

He laughs softly and leans in.

The kiss is nothing like the mess we usually make of each other.

It’s slow and warm.

His hand slides from my chin to the side of my neck while mine catches lightly in the front of his shirt. He kisses me once, then again, softer the second time, and for a few seconds I forget there are people moving around us, bikes everywhere, an entire fucking international race happening outside.

Suddenly, a throat clears behind Wolfe and we break apart. Draygon is standing a few feet away with his arms crossed.

His eyes move from Wolfe to me. Then back to Wolfe.

“Am I interrupting?”

“Yes,” I say.

Wolfe says, “No.”

I look at him, shoving his chest playfully. “Traitor.”

Draygon’s mouth twitches.