Page 91 of Tickled Pink

“It’s boring, though, isn’t it?”

“No! She loves your poems.”

“Yeah, but I—“

“No buts.” I step toward him, reaching out to squeeze his shoulders. “She’s going to love it. I read the damn thing and it brought tears to my eyes.”

“Aw, shucks, Max.”

“I’m the one who should be worried. Your gift is from the heart. All I can do is throw money at her.”

Thad rolls his eyes. “Yeah, what woman likes that?”

I laugh. “Now, relax. She’ll be back soon.”

I give him a pat on the back as I pass, making my way into the living room. Stinky raises her little brown head, half-asleep in her spot by the fireplace. I smile at her, bending down to give her a few pets before grabbing my current read off the bookshelf and laying out on the couch.

“Whatcha doing?” Thad asks from the doorway.

“I am reading a book,” I answer.

A moment passes. He doesn’t move. “You wanna make out?”

I glance at Thad over the top of the book. “Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m nervous! And bored with all this waiting. And you’re laying there, looking all… nice.”

I chuckle as I return to my book. Two lines in, I look over again. He hasn’t budged.

“You’re serious,” I say.

“Yes, I am.”

I close the book to glare at him some more, but I can’t deny the warm fist squeezing my heart on the inside. It never used to be like this, but ever since we crossed that line together, I absolutely melt when he looks at me like this.

Doesn’t mean I’m going to make it easy for him.

“Nah,” I say, opening the book.

Thad scoffs. “Nah?”

“Nah.”

“What do you mean, nah?”

“I mean… I wanna read my book and unwind before Phoebe gets here.”

“What better way is there to unwind than getting physical with me?”

I snort, silently going back to reading. Before I get through another line, Thad bounds across the room and snatches the book from my hands.

“Thad—“

He’s on me a second later, forcing my hands up and pinning them above my head against the couch. When I try to move, he flexes to hold me down. My skin instantly tingles, his towering presence alone enough to light a spark in me. “Thad, what are you doing?” I ask.

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