Page 35 of Spike

I pressed my lipstogether and cocked my head. “Are you praying or swearing?”

“Not sure,” hesaid, smiling slowly. “All I know is that was fuckin’ divine.”

“It really was.” Ilet out the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding and nodded. “But it alsowasn’t quite right.”

He frowned. “Howthe fuck was that not right?”

“Kissing you isbetter than chocolate,” I mused. “To be honest, chocolate’s not my favoritething in the world.”

“Oh yeah? Whatisyour favorite?”

“Cheese,” I saidon a breath. “Oh my word, yes. It’s like I’m dying for cheese and you’re theentire state of Wisconsin.”

He laughed… a deepbelly laugh… before closing the distance between us and kissing me even morethoroughly. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?”

I shrugged.“Depends on the day.”

“If you ever havea day when you don’t feel like the goddess you are, you call me. Immediately.”

I laid my palm onhis cheek and tapped his face. “Are you for real?”

“Why wouldn’t I befor real?”

“Oh, I don’t know,because you’re this incredibly beautiful man, carved out of stone, looking likeJohnny Depp circa nineteen-eighty-seven, and I’m a sheltered, naïve woman who’sgained at least forty pounds since you last saw me. I’ve never dated anyoneprettier than me, and I’m not sure how I feel about it.”

He was looking athis feet as a I bared my insecurity and I thought he was contemplating mywords.

He was not.

I noticed hisshoulders shaking and realized he was laughing.

“Are you serious?”I squeaked, stomping my foot. “You’re laughing at me?”

“No.” His headshot up and he frowned. “Never. I would never laughatyou. Especiallynot about something like this. I’m laughing because you think I’m prettier thanyou which leads me to believe none of your mirrors work in your goddammedapartment.”

“Spike,” I hissedout. “Don’t be dramatic.”

“I’m not beingdramatic, baby, I’m being fuckin’ serious. You are beautiful and I don’t giveone rat’s ass about what the scales say. You could gain another sixty poundsand you’d still be the prettiest girl in the world.”

I reached for hisjacket, fisting my hands in the leather, as I tugged him forward. “I need youto kiss me again.”

He grinned,obliging me quite thoroughly.

Breaking ourconnection, he dropped his forehead to mine. “You’re gonna need to show mearound, honey, or I’m gonna fuck you on your floor.”

I bit my lip.“Would now be an appropriate time to tell you I’m a virgin?”

He sighed.

“Sorry, was thatbad timing?”

“No,” he said. “Ihad a feeling, but it just makes you even more special because when we finallymove to that part of our relationship, it’s gonna be permanent.”

“You think we’llbe permanent?”

“I don’t think,Trixie. Iknow.” He smiled, kissing me again. This time, gently and fartoo quickly. “Now, show me around so I can take a few deep breaths.”

I gave him areluctant nod and led him around my tiny space. It was a short tour, so neitherof us really got a chance to calm down.

---