by Chloe Liese
“Besides,” I said, as she came after me. “I’m having fun messing with you.”
“Fun, eh?” Freya stole the ball off of me too easily, pulled back, and cracked it so hard, straight at my face, she snapped my glasses clean in half.
As soon as I crumpled to the ground, she fell to her knees, brushing shards of the wreckage from my face.
“Shit!” Her hands shook, her finger tracing the bridge of my nose. “I’m so sorry. I have a short fuse, and it’s like you’re hardwired to push every button I have.”
I grinned up at her, my eyes watering. “I knew we had a connection.”
“I’m really sorry,” she whispered, ignoring my line.
“You can make it up to me,” I said, with as much Aiden MacCormack panty-melting charm as I could muster. Which was…challenging, given I’d just taken a point-blank shot to the face and looked like hell, but if there’s one thing I am, it’s determined.
Freya knew exactly what I meant. Dropping back on her heels she arched an eyebrow. “I’m not going on a date with you just to make up for accidentally busting your glasses.”
“Um, you intentionally pulverized my glasses. And quite possibly my nose.” I sat up slowly and leaned on my elbows as the breeze wafted her scent my way—fresh-cut grass and a tall, cool glass of lemonade. I wanted to breathe her in, to run my tongue over every drop of sweat beading her throat, then drag her soft bottom lip between my teeth—to taste her, sweet and tart.
“Just one small kiss.” I tapped the bridge of my nose, then winced at the pain, where a bruised cut stung from the impact of my glasses. “Right here.”
She palmed my forehead until I flopped back on the grass, then stepped right over me.
“I don’t give out kisses, four-eyes,” she said over her shoulder. “But I’ll buy you an apology beer after this, then we’ll see what I’m willing to part with.”
To this day, Freya swears she was trying for the goal which was, ya know, twenty yards to the right of my head, but we both know that’s not what happened. The truth is, we both learned a lesson that day:
Aiden can only push so far. Freya can only take so much.
Before something breaks.
Badly.
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About the Author
Chloe writes romances reflecting her belief that everyone deserves a love story. Her stories bring humor, heart, and heat, and often feature neurodiverse characters. She's an avid reader, lover of leggings, and can't eat enough mint chocolate ice cream.
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Books by Chloe Liese
The Bergman Brothers Novels
Only When It’s Us (#1)
Always Only You (#2)
Ever After Always (#3)
With You Forever (#4)
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The Tough Love Series & Spinoffs
He’s a Brute (Nairne & Zed, #1)
She’s a Spitfire (Nairne & Zed, #2)
They’re a Match (Nairne & Zed, #3)
They’re Strictly Friends (Elodie & Lucas, Spinoff #1)