Page 74 of Movers and Shakers

I wouldn’t lie and say I hadn’t thought about it. We’d agreed not to be anything when she still was attached to him, but now that she wasn’t . . .

Anything was possible.

“Besides,” she continued, “it’s nice that you’re also not making this about you.”

“Why would I? It’syouralbum.”

“But you helped, and in the past, when people helped . . . they took a lot of the credit, so much so that it never felt likeIdid it, but this time is different.You’redifferent.”

“Anyone who makes you feel like you aren’t enough isn’t good for you.”

“And anyone whodidn’tis. Like you are. I was hoping that now that I’m single, and you’re here that we could . . .‍” She trailed off, looking up at me with those shy eyes.

“Are you sure? So soon after Blaze?”

“Fuck it. You’re my type anyway.”

“And what’s your type?”

“Long-haired men. Bar owners. Men who look like Thor.”

“You think I look like Thor?”

“Very much so. It’s doing something for me.”

“Come here.” I couldn’t hold back any longer. I desperately needed her in my space.

Her blush darkened at my muttered command, but she did so, moving in close. My mind worked in overdrive to take in every detail of having her here. I saw her dark lashes and red lips framed by long black hair.

“If I kiss you, will this red lipstick rub off on me?”

“No, it’s very kiss-proof.”

“That’s a shame,” I said, running my finger over her lips. True to her word, it came back clean. “I’d gladly let you leave a mark.”

She leaned forward, capturing my lips with hers. She hovered over me and I grabbed her by the hips to fully sit on my lap. I heard her breathing stutter as her hands ran through my hair, nails scraping against the scalp.

All I could do was focus on kissing her and not messing this up for myself. She was a solid weight in my arms, a reminder thatthis was real. She was really here and she was kissing me,of all people.

Her hand moved up, tangling in my hair. I moved mine to do the same, but she pulled away.

“S-sorry. I don’t mean to be a hypocrite, but my hair is . . . delicate.”

“What about the rest of you?”

“Do what you want.”

I didn’t need to be told twice. “Message received.”

“I’ll leave your hair out of it.” She began to move her hand, but I grabbed it.

“No. You can touch whatever the hell you want. No limits.”

Her jaw dropped and my mouth returned to hers. She was all I could see, all Ihadseen in ages.

And now I had her right where I wanted her.

I nipped on her bottom lip and she let me in. Our tongues clashed as the kiss turned heated and she tugged on my hair.

---