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They pulled into her parking lot, and the building loomed in front of her like a rain cloud Her shoulders sluhed

“I know I don’t want the weekend to end either,” Pierce said She turned to look at hi her hand Butterflies flapped their wispy wings in her belly This is where we set the tone for our future I’ve been running for years It’s tio, and move forward After all he’d done for her, she’d be a fool to let hiers It wasn’t the ht behind it all that iven her a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and all he wanted in return was a chance to win her heart As fast as she knew that gave hiht status She’d never been the type who needed to be rescued, but aa weekend of cosplay and unconditional acceptance of her geek tendencies deserved to be held in high estee, she took the first step

“It doesn’t have to” She toyed with the hem of her T-shirt

“Are you inviting me into your house?”

“Yes” She peered up at hi smile he bestowed

“I accept”

“You have work toive him an out

“You’re worth getting up early for, D”

Fighting the urge to s I want to thank you properly for what you did today”

“Thank ue flicked out and licked his lips

“Mm-hm Words alone could never fully express how much this weekend meant to me But I think with a little…artistic interpretation I can e it”

“You want to go inside and paint” He arched an eyebrow His lip curled up in an amused smirk

“Sure, you can paint me white with your paintbrush if you want” He ht, don’t you?”

“What I’d like to do is turn the tables” He leaned over the console and wound her curls around his hand, pulling thee”