Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 152064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 760(@200wpm)___ 608(@250wpm)___ 507(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 152064 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 760(@200wpm)___ 608(@250wpm)___ 507(@300wpm)
“Do you really think I would rush when I’m fulfilling one of your fantasies?”
I shake my head and swallow thickly.
He kisses my fingertips. “I would take my time, bring you right to the edge and make sure you didn’t tip over until they came back.”
I shudder and dark satisfaction sparks in his eyes. “What’s your bedroom look like at your parents’ house, kitten?”
“An homage to my teen years. Very dance-themed.”
“Is it pretty and delicate like you?”
“I guess.” I bite my lip and duck my head at the compliment. “I only ever had a single bed.”
His nostrils flare. “Daddy didn’t want you to have a grown-up bed?”
I shake my head. I’m hot all over and I’m sure that’s the point. I’ve spent years fantasizing about the man in front of me, but nothing I dreamed up comes close to the reality.
“What about your bedroom in your apartment? What’s that like?”
I widen my eyes. “You’ll have to see it to find out.”
“Future me looks forward to that day.”
All this talk emboldens me. “Future you has an open invitation to visit my bedroom anytime you like.”
He chuckles.
The server stops to refill our waters, breaking the tension.
We spend the rest of dinner talking mostly about how incredible the food is. Flip ordered the dragon bowl, and I have the portobello steak.
Afterward, we drive back to my apartment and Flip parks in the temporary spot. “This is literally never open, except when you’re here.”
“I manifest it.” He winks.
I want to invite him up, but Fee and Cammie were planning to hang out tonight, and our place is often the favored location. I unbuckle my seat belt and shift to face him. “I had the best time tonight. The aquarium was perfect, and dinner was…amazing.” And stimulating. Me, pillow Flip, and my vibe have a date before bed tonight.
“I had a great time, too. I learned a lot about you.” His eyes caress my face.
“I want to invite you in, but my apartment might be full of my friends,” I explain.
“That’s okay. I’ll still walk you up.” He stretches his arm across the seat. “But I’ll kiss you good night here, just in case.” His fingers slip under my hair, curving gently around my nape. I lean in as he does the same, eyes fluttering closed as his lips meet mine.
He’s so soft with me, tender and sweet as he sucks my bottom lip. And then his tongue brushes mine. I whimper as he angles my head and deepens the kiss, exploring my mouth with heady sureness.
“That fucking sound, kitten.” He drags me across the center console into his lap. His wide palm drifts up my side.
“Please.” I’m ravenous for more of his hands and his mouth and the deep groans that rumble through his chest and across my lips. I moan when he cups my breast and his thumb brushes my nipple.
The touch disappears and he moves to cup my face, separating our lips.
“More, please,” I whisper.
“You’re fiery tonight, aren’t you?”
“You were the one asking me about my fantasies.”
“I have no regrets.” He kisses my chin. “But we should probably avoid an indecent exposure charge if we want to stay on your dad’s good side.”
“You’re the one who put me here.” I wiggle in his lap.
“I did do that, didn’t I?” He moves me back to the passenger seat. “I’m still walking you up.”
He cuts the engine and comes around to the passenger side to help me out of the car. It’s quiet in the atrium, and the elevator is empty except for us. Flip wraps his arms around me, and I settle my head on his chest, comforted by the steady thud of his heart. We reach my floor without running into anyone else.
I pass my key fob over the sensor and crack the door to my apartment. The TV is on, and laughter filters down the hall.
“I’ll say good night here.” Flip moves closer, until our bodies are flush again.
Parsnip meows and swats at my ankle. The door isn’t open enough for him to slip through.
“Thank you for a perfect first date,” he whispers.
I melt as he presses his lips to mine, warm, minty, and full of promise.
CHAPTER 24
FLIP
It’s fajita night at Rix and Tristan’s. We get together once a month for food and drinks. Tally often joins us, but this is the first with her as my date.
“Can you mash these, please?” Rix passes me the flat-bottomed container of avocado halves and the potato masher.
“Chunky though, right? Not holiday-dinner-mashed-potato smooth,” I confirm.
“You got it.”
Tally is dutifully chopping tomatoes with Hemi next to her, murdering onions while glaring at me. I haven’t done anything wrong. At least I don’t think I have, but I can picture my balls in place of the onions. Tally has been the little sister of the group for years, and we’ve all had our skepticism over some of her past boyfriends. Now that I’m dating her, I feel like I’m in the hot seat. And like everyone is waiting for me to fuck it up.