Page 59 of Hate to Love You

“Wow.” His brows rise. “I had no idea you felt that way about me. I always thought we were just joking around.” Looking surprisingly serious, his eyes lock on mine. “Has that changed this past week? Are we friends now or still frenemies?”

Knocked off balance by the change in conversation, I shrug. How am I supposed to answer that question? Strangely enough, our relationship has changed over the course of this week. I wouldn’t have thought it possible. There’s more to Brody than meets the eye and I would be lying if I didn’t admit I want to dig deeper. To slowly peel back the layers of who Brody McKinnon is.

I’m starting to wonder if he’s someone I could actually like.

As a friend. Nothing more.

“I guess we’re slowly venturing into friends territory.” When his lips lift, I add just so he doesn’t get any ideas, “But I reserve the right to change that opinion at any time.”

“Fair enough.” Before I realize his intention, his hand grazes the side of my face until he’s able to cradle my cheek in the palm of his hand. My breath lodges in my lungs. I can’t breathe. I can’t move. I can only watch with wide eyes and wait for his next move. “I don’t want to be your frenemy, Natalie,” he admits quietly.

He searches my eyes intently, looking for…I have no idea. Then his mouth slants across mine, leisurely brushing over me once, twice, three times. The movement leaves me wanting more. It’s like he’s teasing me.

When he finally presses his mouth against mine, it never occurs to me not to open for him. His actions are measured as if we have all the time in the world.

His tongue sweeps inside my mouth, mingling and playing with my own. Tasting and exploring at the same unhurried pace. Shifting me around in his arms, he changes the angle. This kiss is so different than the one we shared in front of everyone at the party. That was more of a show of ownership. This one is entirely different. It’s more exploratory in nature and feels as if he wants to take his time and savor what’s unfolding between us.

His fingers slide into my hair, holding me in place. Pushing him away is the last thing on my mind. I never imagined what it would be like to kiss Brody. Of course, I’ve heard the rumors. You can’t be on campus for more than a week without being regaled with his sexual exploits.

If this display is anything to go on, then all the gossip is true. Brody knows exactly what he’s doing. His kisses are enough to melt my panties.

And I’m at the opposite end of the spectrum.

As much as I hate to admit it, Reed’s ugly words have taken up residence inside my head. They’ve wounded my confidence. Instead of enjoying the moment, I find myself wondering if Brody likes kissing me. If I’m doing the right thing. Is there—

I break away, pulling out of Brody’s grasp. My fingers tremble as they seek out my lips. I suck in a greedy breath and push it out again, trying to regain my bearings. There’s a drugged look in his eyes. I imagine it’s mirrored in my own.

“Do you want me to stop?”

I shake my head.

Nope. On the contrary.

Now I just have to find the nerve to tell him what I want.

Chapter Twenty

Natalie

It takes a moment—maybe five—to dig deep and find the courage to open my mouth.

There’s a voice inside my head that screams for me not to do it. To abort the mission. Once I vomit out the words, there’s no reeling them back in. For better or worse, they’ll be out there.

Ignoring my instincts, I clear my throat. “What you said the other day at the diner…Did you mean it?”

I hold his gaze with a penetrating stare of my own, praying he’ll understand what I’m referring to without me having to explain. Even though it’s just the two of us, it’s still embarrassing. The fact that I’m putting myself out there and asking him for help is difficult enough without coming off as totally pathetic.

“What I said?” He looks confused.

Heat scorches my cheeks, and I drop my gaze, avoiding eye contact. I gulp and push onward. “About my sexual experience being lacking.”

He sits up a little straighter. His voice tightens. “You want to have sex?”

I sputter out a nervous laugh. “No!”

I’m nowhere near that point. Yet.

But now that I’ve had a little time to rethink our conversation, I see the merit of his suggestion to let him give me some bedroom advice. The kiss we just shared certainly proves that if there’s a guy who can offer some assistance, it’s Brody.

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