Page 166 of The Sidekick

“I’ll give you a kiss, all right,” he glares at Asher as he bends down and kisses me with no shame.

I’m so grateful that Asher told me this was ok because his tongue strokes mine roughly, and I make a soft sound, kissing him back languidly. Giving as he takes and bracing a hand on his shoulder. His rush slows as he sinks into me, turning the kiss into something that’s indefinably more. It steals my breath and brings a blush to my face. I feel like our souls are merging into one. Two sides of a coin melded together.

“Stay with us instead. Asher can take the spare room. You can take the spare room. I don’t care. Just stay with us,” he mutters, his lips rubbing along mine as he speaks.

“I’m not ready,” I whisper back and meet his eyes with sorrow.

“I know. Shit. I’m rushing. I guess I’m not the only one,” his eyes slide back to my car. I give him a quick peck.

“It’s going to be ok, Max.” I smile and kiss him quickly again, just because I can.

“Yeah, I know,” he agrees with a grumpy look. “Doesn’t mean I like how it looks right now, though.”

I smile smugly and take a few steps back. “Bye, Max.”

“What’s that look on your face mean?” He glowers and crosses his arms.

“Have fun getting punished,” I taunt sweetly.

“I will,” he says mockingly.

“Try not to think about me as it’s happening,” I add and then run to the car to slide into the driver’s seat, my bravery wearing out quickly. I can feel my face burning as I try to hide my smug smile.

“That’s just mean, Tera!” He yells in shock.

I can barely hear him as I start the car. I can’t help the fit of laughter that takes me over as I wave and pull away. I didn’t know I had it in me, but it felt great. His happy grin in the rearview mirror isn’t bad, either.

I’m hoping Asher isn’t a shit like Shade and lets you read this.

Chapter Fifty-One

Tera

We pick up all the prank items at a store down the street from my apartment. We don’t talk very much, the silence soothing me as I drive. Just knowing he’s next to me makes me smile. It isn’t until I’m inside the front door that my nerves start to get the better of me.

“Make yourself at home?” I say hesitantly and wave my hand around in an awkward fashion. I’m acting like he’s never been here before. I want to facepalm, but that would make it worse.

“Thank you,” his smile says he’s trying not to laugh.

When he walks right into my bedroom to set his bag down and plug in his charger next to mine, I feel like I’m hyperventilating. It’s a mixture of excitement, horny, and fear that isn’t blending well together.

He comes back out to eye me as I stand nervously at the door.

“I already showered at the gym. Why don’t you go ahead and shower. Get into some comfy clothes? We can pick a movie and snuggle.”

“That sounds amazing,” I nod and stay where I am.

It does sound great. I’m just wondering what comes after. If I’ll cum after. Oh my gosh.

My face turns red as I rush past him to get something out of the closet to wear. I close the door behind me and turn on the light so I can take a few deep breaths. How am I so nervous when I got busy with him in a public restroom, for crying out loud? I should be more smooth than this!

I picture the woman in the slinky dress who’s a total jerk. Super brave but still a jerk. Why can’t I be like that? For just one night. Not all the time. That would get awkward, and I don’t have the shoes for it. Do I even have the dress for it?

I start flicking through the hangers, trying to find anything that isn’t gray or black. I trip over a bag on the floor and stare at it with a frown. Andi bought me some clothes. I never even looked at them. I opened the bag, saw all the colors, said thanks, and tossed it in here to rot.

I take a second to debate, chewing my lips. What’s hanging up is drab and depressing. Not the vibe I’m going for. Andi’s bag might be a glitter bomb of self-confidence destruction. Only one way to find out.

I open it and pull out several maxi dresses. A lot are in vibrant colors that I used to love. They cause me to wince at their eye-catching glow. No thanks.

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