Page 45 of Easton

He shakes his head and crosses his arms. “That’s beside the point.”

As I chuckle, I realize how much East makes me laugh. “Of course it is. Just think, after we get these results, I can keep that pretty little hole of yours filled with my fingers, my cock,andmy cum.”

“Fuck.” He uses the palm of his hand to press down on his groin and adjust himself. “It’s annoying as shit how much you turn me on.”

“I think it’s fun.” I reach over and run my fingers over his head and through his hair. “I want you raw so bad, I burn with it, but I always want to do right by you too. Better safe than sorry.”

When he turns to me, he doesn’t look frustrated anymore, just confused. His brows pinched together, gaze intense on me. I’m always trying to figure East out, but he looks at me like he’s always trying to figure me out too. I’m an open book, but for him, it’s like the words are written in a foreign language because he’s never let himself have any kind of honest, deep relationship with anyone—friend or more.

“Can I hold your hand?” I ask, just to playfully rile him up.

“Fuck no. What are we, twelve?”

I bark out a laugh as East shakes his head again, but looking closely, I see he’s more charmed than he wants to let on. Easton Swift likes me, and somehow, that makes me feel like the luckiest son of a bitch alive.

The testing facility we decided to go to is about an hour away. If we went in Birchbark, word would be all over town in the time it took to walk from the car to the lab.

Once we’re there, the process is quick and straightforward, and they tell us when we can expect the results.

As soon as we climb back into the car, I say, “Thank you for going on a date with me.”

“You’re the weirdest person I’ve ever met.”

“Yeah, but you like me.”

“I don’t like anyone.”

“You likeme,” I counter.

I don’t expect it when he leans in, effectively ending the conversation by pressing his lips to mine. It’s a hard and fast kiss—just as his tongue pushes into my mouth, tasting me, he’s pulling back again. “Now shut up and drive.”

I grab his chin, tug him closer, and give him another kiss, this one slower, languid, and he lets me ravage his mouth with my tongue.

When I ease away, I say, “Yes, sir,” then start the car and drive away. “What do you want to do today?” It’s early, and we’re both off.

“What we always do. Hang out at my place.”

I nod. “You know, we could go see Cass and Meadow.” I’m not going to put us in a situation where we aren’t seen together at all. “Or even Dusty and Morgan.”

“Are you under the impression I did those things before we started fucking?”

“Hey. I’m trying here, smartass. I’m just saying that even though we’re being careful about who knows our business, that doesn’t mean we have to stay isolated.”

“I’ve always kept myself isolated. I like it better that way,” he says playfully, but I know he’s serious.

“It was just an idea.” The car goes silent while I continue driving. He’s looking at me. I feel his gaze zeroing in on me, not letting go. When I glance at him, he doesn’t pretend he wasn’t staring. “What?”

“I know it’s not easy…being friends with me.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Don’t walk on eggshells with me. I make things difficult. I don’t mean to, but I do. Don’t know how to stop.”

Jesus, this man. I have a feeling he’s going to burrow deep into my heart, carving out a place that’s just for him. “Nothing worth having is always easy, sweetheart. I’m sitting in this car with you because it’s where I want to be. If anyone has made you feel like you’re too hard, then they don’t deserve you.”

I turn my attention back to the road, but in my periphery, I see him roll his eyes.

“How do you do it? Care about people so much?”

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