Page 49 of Mitch

“Nothing, what, uh, what’s on yourmind? Rom-com, drama? Cartoons?”

Penn chortled at my cartoon comment, and I couldn’t help but smile. He was so easy to tease, and I loved it.

My heart echoed as reality hit me like a punch to the gut.

I was falling in love with Penn Baker.

I knew it at that moment as he casually strolled toward me, the golden light of my kitchen lighting him up from behind like an angelic halo.

“Mmm... have you seen Home Again? With Reese Witherspoon?”

I shook my head, dispelling the weird sort of aura that had blanketed me, making me lose my damn mind.

“No, can’t say that I have,” I said as I sat down, letting the cushions break my fall. Penn sat softly next to me, gingerly.

Leaving a modicum of space between us. I started up the movie.

“Oh, it’s a hoot. Reese is a total gem. I used to love Legally Blonde growing up. It was one of my mom’s favorites.”

I shifted my weight, trying not to appear too desperate, when the truth was all I wanted was to wrap my arm around him, and...

Penn slid across the sliver of space,putting his body flush against mine. I looked down at him, at his perfect, kissable lips, then back to his pretty blue eyes.

“Penn...”

He settled into the open space of my arm, which was stretched along the back of my couch. He shifted his weight, making my body dip toward him, and I was acutely aware of my burgeoning stiffness coming to life.

He leaned in closer, resting his head on my arm as he looked at me with glassy, blue eyes.

“Yeah?” he asked, his eyebrows knitting together with worry.

“Do you have any idea how badly I want to kiss you right now?”

Penn’s cheeks flushed and his eyes sparkled with mischief.

“Maybe.”

So he wants to play.

I can play.

“I don’t think you do.”

“Well, what are you waiting for?” he asked, his gaze dipping to my lips.

I hooked my knuckle under his chin, forcing him to look at me. I needed him to hear my words, really hear them.

His body relaxed under my touch, and my cock twitched with anticipation.

“I want... Ineedto hear you say it,” I said, my voice coming out dark and husky. “I need to know whatyouwant.” I licked my lips. “I need your permission.”

“I want...” I watched his pupils dilate, his lips part. Involuntarily, he leaned into me, threading his leg through mine, his hand resting on my knee. He swallowed nervously, but he didn’t break my gaze. “I want you to kiss me.”

“Is that so?” I asked, hanging on his every word.

He nodded.

So, I kissed him. Softly, my lips caressed his as I let my tongue slip in through the cracks, and he slid his hand around my waist. I could feel the tremble in his touch, but I could also feel the curiosity as he slowly traced his fingers along my hip.

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