Page 56 of Tongue-Tied

“Darn, I forgot to hide it,” he teases. “I hope you don’t plan on stealing it back.”

My stomach floods with warmth over the idea of him keeping it because it smells like me. “Did you finally wash it?”

“Nope.”

I playfully push his shoulder. “Ew, all yours.”

“Yay, I win.”

As the opening credits roll, Dex reaches over to cut the light, and we relax against his pillows.

By the time the movie ends, I’m in the fog of sleep, and we’re pressed against each other from shoulder to thigh, much like we used to be in the dorm.

The difference this time is that his bed is bigger, so there’s no need for us to be this close.

I know I need to move, to get up and leave, but it feels too damned good. Dex must have the same idea because when I open my eyes, he’s staring at me.

“I thought you were asleep,” he whispers. “I would’ve left you alone.”

“Not asleep yet.” I turn to my side, and he does the same so we’re facing each other. “Just too cozy right now.”

“It is.” He yawns. “And I wouldn’t mind if you stayed a while.”

We lie breathing side by side as the air crackles with tension.

His gaze slides from my eyes to my mouth, and as I do the same, I wonder if he’s thinking the same thing. How his lips would feel against mine. In the stall, his mouth at my neck made me tingle all over, and now I ache to reach out and touch him, but it’s probably a bad idea.

It’s disconcerting thinking of Dex in this way after living together and being best buds since childhood. That night at the bar, we got each other off, and that’s something I never could’ve dreamed would happen with him. So maybe having these thoughts about my best friend is natural after what we shared. At least I like to think it is because if not, it means something else that’s way more intense.

Dex hesitantly lifts his hand to push my hair behind my ear, though it’s barely grown out enough to do that. My pulse is going crazy as his fingers brush along my jawline and up to my cheek.

“I’ve always loved your hair.”

I’ve had the overwhelming desire to be seen by someone, to be touched, and the way Dex is looking at me right now makes the butterflies in my stomach perform dive bombs.

“I’d trade you in a second, Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome.” My thumb feathers against his cheekbone, and when I hear his breath hitch, I realize this is different for him too. That maybe he enjoys being with me just as much. Just comfortably ourselves.

Except, lately, he makes me feel all warm and shuddery, and I don’t know what to think about any of it. Not only because we’re best friends but also because Dex doesn’t want anything real with anyone.

“I know you won’t believe me, but you’re gorgeous.” Dex’s voice is throaty, and I hold my breath, praying I won’t pass out. “You’re going to find someone who deserves you. Who loves everything about you and makes you happy.”

“Jesus, Dex. Do you even realize how wonderful you are? How beautiful? I want that for you too. For someone to make you smile.”

My heart aches with a different sort of longing as we silently watch each other.

“You make me smile.” His expression is filled with melancholy. “Other than that, I make my own happiness. That’s all that matters.”

Dex angles his head to kiss my temple, something he’s always done, but this time, it feels more intense, almost gloomy. “You’re free to stay.”

“But it’s not even our third date yet,” I tease.

He bites back a yawn as he moves his computer to the floor. “We can always pretend it is if it makes you feel more comfortable sleeping over.”

After he closes his eyes, I watch his breaths softly even out as all sorts of thoughts and emotions consume me.

My fingers itch to touch again, but I don’t want to wake him. Instead, I angle a bit closer and study his mouth, how his bottom lip is fuller than the top, and wonder if they’re as soft as they look. Before I know what I’m doing, I close my eyes and pretend. Pretend that I’ve closed the distance between us and that our lips are meeting.

“What are you doing?” Dex murmurs.

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