I cup his face, smoothing my thumb over his cheek, anchoring myself to him.“I’ll go with you, Joel.”
And then—he’s kissing me.
It’s not desperate.Not rough.
It’s slow.Deep.
A promise.
A thank you.
And when I whisper the wordsone more time, his grip tightens, and his lips find mine again.It’s a slow, lingering kiss.
“You know this means your gonna be my groupie, right?”
I roll my eyes, shoving at his chest, but he just laughs, catching my hand, and threading our fingers together.
I huff against his shoulder.“Great.Stuck on a tour bus with you and a bunch of smelly men.My actual nightmare.”
Joel lifts his head, eyes narrowing with mock offense.“Excuse me?Stuckwith me?”He scoffs.“I give it a week before you’re wearing a ‘Mrs.Joel Price’ shirt and fighting fangirls in the crowd with your evil death glare.”
I snort.“I would rather choke on a guitar pick.”
His grin turns downright wicked.“Oh, Ace.That’s not the only thing you’re gonna be choking on.”
I freeze.My mouth drops open.“You did not just?—”
Joel just smirks, smug and unrepentant.
“Oh my God,” I groan, covering my face.“We’re breaking up.”
He tugs my hands away from my face, shaking his head like I’m the one who’s ridiculous.“Too late, Ace.No take-backs.You signed up for this.”
I narrow my eyes.“Did I?”
His smirk softens, something warm slipping into the edges.“Yeah.”Then, he presses his lips to mine, lingering just long enough to steal my breath.“You did.”
I sigh dramatically.“I really need to start reading the fine print.”
Joel grins against my skin, lips brushing my jaw.“Too late.No refunds.No exchanges.I’ve branded myself to you now.”
“Oh, I’m exchanging youimmediatelyfor store credit,” I tease, tickling him along his side.
His laughter rumbles through his chest.“Ace, I amcustom-madefor you—you’re never getting a deal this good again.”
I roll my eyes, but I’m smiling.“Unbelievable.”
He tilts his head, feigning deep thought.“Well, I guess there’s one guy you could trade me in for.”
I arch a brow.“Yeah?”
Joel nods solemnly.“Quinn.But, uh, from what you’ve told me, he’s rooting for the other team.”
I snort.“Accurate.Besides, I’d have to listen to all of hisdeeplyunhinged Taylor Swift theories.”
Joel grins.“Yeah, no offense, Ace, but you wouldn’t survive that.”
I groan.“You’re right.I’d rather suffer.”