Page 16 of Pucking Good Girl

“I missed you.” The words tumble out of my mouth before I can even think about how that might sound. I saw him at breakfast; it’s not like we’ve been apart for weeks.

“I missed you too.” He murmurs before I can start freaking out about sounding way too obvious.

Macklin’s lips are on mine a second later, and I melt against him.

This is fake, Talia. Don’t forget it, or you’ll never recover when he walks away.

The voice in my head is right. But then why is it that every time Macklin looks at me, I feel like the most beautiful woman in the world?

Even before I was cut from the Shooting Stars for not fitting into their beauty standards, I always had a million hangups about the way I look.

When I’m with him though, I feel beautiful, sexy. I feel perfect.

Kissing Macklin always turns into a full body experience. His hands are all over me and I want more, so much more.

Feeling bold, I lift his t-shirt, uncovering his washboard abs.

He doesn’t protest when I lift it up his chest and helps me by pulling the garment over his head.

I break the kiss, eager to drag my lips all over his chiseled torso.

The Gamma House has central air, but all of a sudden it feels like it’s a million degrees in this room.

I grab the hem of Macklin’s jersey, that I’m still in since this morning, dying to feel his skin against mine.

“Talia, wait.” His chest is heaving, the bulge tenting his sweatpants a clear indication that I’m having on him the same effect he’s having on me. “We need to talk.”

Oh.

Those words have the effect of a freezing cold shower. Nothing good has ever come from the dreaded “we need to talk.”

“The last twenty-four hours have been insane,” his tone is cautious. “And I want to make sure you’re ok.”

Panic almost causes my heart to stop. Is he about to end our deal now that Becks asked me out?

“I’m fine.” I bite out. “As fine as I can be, given the circumstances.”

“Are you sure?” His gaze softens, his blue eyes searching my face as he traces my cheekbone with his knuckles. “Just so you know, I’m still up for beating the shit out of Victor. Just enough that he’ll think twice before being a creep again.”

It’s impossible to miss the concern in his voice.

“Macklin, I just don’t want you to get caught in this mess. In my mess.”

CHAPTER 6

REVERSE COWGIRL

Macklin

Talia doesn’t know that I don’t care how messy things get.

I would do anything for her. If she wanted to see the whole world burn, I would light the match without one second of hesitation.

“I went to see Gen earlier,” the words tumble out of my mouth without me even realizing it. “I tried to talk some sense into her. You know, if she agreed to go to Cantucci with you about Victor, it wouldn’t just be your word against his.”

“How did it go?” She asks. “I assume she said no?”

I don’t even know why I tell her, but the truth comes out of my mouth almost of its own accord. “She said she would on one condition.”