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And I’ any move to stop him

Several tiht, wo on the stool next to his or leaning against the bar as they incline their heads toward hilance, and as I watch them slink back to their friends with dejected looks on their faces, I can’t help the strange sense of satisfaction that flares inside me

Because he’s not theirs

“You good, Ayla?” Duke asks at the end ofto Marcus, who’s still stationed in his spot at the end of the bar

Maybe this is my chance Now that Marcus and his friends aren’t even bothering to hide their stalking anyh case to report it and have the cops actually listen and believe me

But the thought barely flits throughoff his concern “Yeah It’s fine”

After I finish cleaning up, Marcus drives rip firainst the coh the stereo lull my tired mind

When we reach ers to tilt my face toward his Then his hand slides around the back of my neck, and he leans over to kiss me

His lips are warency still infuses the kiss, it doesn’t feel quite as desperate as others have

As if he knows I’

He draws back, his knuckles tracing the curve of el”

“Goodnight”

He looks like he wants to kiss ain—and maybe never stop—but he reluctantly pulls back and watches me unclip the seatbelt

I hear the engine start up again as I et inside, I peer out the n at the street

Marcus’s car is gone