Page 67 of Parting Shot

“When I thought we were gonna be something.”

He tensed in my arms, and I nuzzled into the side of his neck and sucked on the skin there, giving him a zerbert that made him laugh.

“I can’t believe you did—that was so not hot!”

Sometimes, funny was better than sexy. I did it again and then kissed hard.

“Jesus, you just turned me into one giant goose bump!”

He was very huggable, and so I slid higher and drew him close, cuddled him tight, tucked him against my chest.

“Duncan.”

I grunted.

“Can you go out with me?”

“Like, be seen out with you?”

“Yes.”

“For your board or for you?”

“For me, you idiot!”

I laughed softly into his hair.

“Am I thrilled that I don’t have to hide who I am anymore?” It was a rhetorical question he posed. “Yes, I am. And do I feel like a weight has been lifted off me?”

“I’m guessing yes.”

“Yes!” He was belligerently happy. “Do I wish I could have had the balls to live my life this whole time? Even more so.”

I let him go because he squirmed, and he sat up beside me.

“I’m furious with myself that I went from being afraid of my father, afraid of my board, scared of what my brother would think, and concerned over my mother’s disapproval to not caring about any of it.”

“That’s not true. You care.”

He sighed heavily. “My brother thinks I walk on water, no matter what, and I should have known that.”

“Yeah, you should have,” I agreed. “I’ve heard how he talks about you.”

He scooted back until he hit the headboard, moved the pillow so he was comfortable. “I was livid with him today.”

“And I’m sure he thinks you still are.”

“Because I still am.”

“Maybe you should fix that.”

“Perhaps,” he said under his breath.

“Don’t be an ass.”

“I never asked him to step into⁠—”

“He was trying to do a good thing,” I interrupted.