Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
“Get it out of the way... I don’t know.”
“I didn’t hear a yes. Did you mean to insert a yes in there?”
I pin my lips shut with my teeth for a moment. “Just to double-check. You’re offering me sex followed by a swift return to platonic friendship?”
“Great sex. That’s right.”
“The ego on you. I’m trusting you to keep your pants on,” I say, taking a step back. It’s nice to hear he finds me attractive and wants to play naked with me. Given the whole “I might be dead soon” issue, I should probably jump on both the opportunity and the man. It’s the only reasonable response to such an offer in such a situation. And yet I am hesitating.
“Well?” He puts his hands on his hips and stares down at me. “Are you done overthinking it?”
“For now. Things feel weird between us, and I don’t want to compound the situation.” My polite smile is small and set. “Therefore, my decision is we have sex tomorrow. This would also give us both time to anticipate the act, which I think would be pleasant.”
By the positioning of his dark brows, I am able to see that the man is both put out and surprised. Being denied things is not his norm. “Why not tonight?”
“Tomorrow is really not that far away.”
“Or, and hear me out here, you could just take off your clothes now.”
“That’s another issue. I need a minute to get used to the idea of being naked in front of you,” I say. My face feels hot again. There’s a chance I might be allergic to all this honesty, particularly in one night.
His eyebrows rise in surprise. “Why?”
“No. We’re not discussing this. It’s personal and messy. But I’m also not always great with surprises, and honestly, this coming from you has been quite surprising.”
“What are you worried about, Lilah?”
It is absolutely my turn to ignore a question. Getting into my relationship with my own body and a lifetime’s worth of negative messaging from the media about the same is a no. Then there’s me wanting time to shave and wax and primp some. “What time suits you tomorrow?”
But the cranky and still-half-naked man didn’t seem to get the message. He takes a step toward me and says, “You’re not delaying because you’re worried I’ll be shit in bed, are you?”
I wrinkle my nose in both distaste and confusion. “Are you serious?”
“You heard me.”
My mouth opens, but holy hell. “That’s what you took away from what I said, huh? That me needing a minute is all about you? That I’m doubting your prowess?”
“Answer the question, please.”
“Now that you mention it, I do only have your lofty opinion of yourself to go by. I don’t suppose you’ve made any home movies or have an ex you’d be comfortable with me having a chat with? A dick pic or two also wouldn’t go amiss. If you don’t mind, of course.”
We stand there and frown at each other. It’s a beautiful moment. Not.
“We’re not going to fuck tonight,” he says finally, his shoulders drooping with disappointment. Which is actually kind of gratifying.
“That’s right. We aren’t,” I agree, reaching for the door handle. “I’m seeing my mom in the morning. But I’m free after that. Let me know what time suits you.”
“Right. I’ll schedule you in,” he says dryly. “You still won’t let me drive you home?”
“No. Thank you.”
“Wait,” he says. “One more thing. You let Gael and Shane kiss you good-night. Don’t you think I should get the same consideration?”
“You want to kiss me on the cheek like them?”
He nods.
“As just friends.”
“Right,” he agrees. “Just friends. Who you are going to fuck tomorrow.”
“All right,” I say with a smile.
He steps closer and leans in, his lips brushing against my cheek. They’re warm as is his breath on my skin. I hold myself perfectly still, waiting to see what will happen. Anticipation might just kill me. Every hair on my body stands on end. He brushes the tip of his nose against mine before going in for another cheek kiss. Only it’s not really a kiss. It’s him lightly dragging his lips along my jawline and up to my ear. My very sensitive ear. He gives my lobe a gentle nudge with the tip of his nose as well. Like he’s just experimenting. Finding out the ways in which we can get close.
“You’re so soft,” he whispers.
“Mmm.”
“And you always smell so good.”
“It’s just soap,” I manage to say. “And perfume, a couple of face creams, and deodorant, of course. Guess you could include my shampoo and conditioner on the list too.”
“That’s good to know. But you’re overthinking it again.”
This is all very friendly and flirty. But he hasn’t yet strayed into straight-out seduction territory. Not yet. My stomach is already topsy-turvy. I’m standing in the open doorway, and my back is to the door frame, and he’s right in front of me. So close. And still only half dressed despite my very reasonable request for him to put on his shirt. I scrunch up my fingers into fists and touch nothing. Letting him set the pace. Though he goes no further and seems to be finished.