Page 56 of Whiskey & Honey

I say none of that. Instead, I lay my lips on hers. Gently and slowly, I deepen the kiss and she melts into me. With each second that passes, I increase the intensity. A slight nibble of her lower lip and she opens enough to grant me access. This isn’t a kiss of passion or urgency. This is a kiss of emotion and promises.

I realize I have to slow this down. Not so much for her but for us. For the us I know we are and will be. I need her to know that this is more than physical attraction, that we are more than just something superficial.

“What’s with the full name?”

“I didn’t use your full name. If I had, I would have greeted you with ‘Hello, Mister Bentley James Sullivan.’ I did not so thus it was not your full name.”

Once she’s put me in my place she turns from me and all that sass that first drew me to her is back in full force. I can’t help myself and I smack her ass. Lovingly, but hard enough she yelps and turns to glare at me. Before she can completely turn to reprimand me, I wrap my arms around her from behind so her head is resting on my chest. Rigid at first, she relaxes when I place a feather-light kiss to her temple.

“You know, Miss Lawrence, I’ve never been one for this whole alpha male thing. But, hearing you say my full name with that tone I may change my mind.”

“Oh please. I’d laugh you right out of this house. Now, fine sir, what are we still doing here? I believe you owe me a movie night,” she says, wiggling from my grasp.

“Fine. Let’s go, where are your keys?”

“Umm, my keys are in my pocket. You don’t need them, I can drive.”

“I know you can, but you won’t. I’m the man, I drive.”

“Macho much? I don’t think so. Look, Ben, I don’t think this will work with us being just plain ole friends if you think you’re going to be some alpha male that takes charge and expects me to be some timid wallflower. I will not…”

Not letting her complete her sentence, I grab by the arms and kiss her. If I’ve learned there’s one way to stop Piper from talking, it’s kissing her. This kiss is not tender or sweet. No, this is passion and fire. As quickly as I started the kiss, I break it while simultaneously plucking her keys from her jacket pocket.

“Hey! That wasn’t nice!”

“I actually think it was very nice. Let’s get something straight. I will never expect you to be anything or anyone other than you. I am very fond of the you that you are. But I will drive because as the man in this friendship I will always keep you safe and make sure you are taken care of. That is why I am taking these keys and driving us back to your apartment for movie night.”

This time it’s me who walks away and she doesn’t stop me. Instead I can feel her mind working overtime. I decide to have a little fun with her as I keep walking and she follows. “Don’t think too much, Princess. We’re wasting precious time while you do. I hope you chose something scary so you have to seek safety in my arms.”

Once we’re at her car I wait for her to catch up and open the passenger door, leaning on it as she starts to climb in, then pauses and looks at me. “I’m sorry I was defensive. I’m just … I’m trying.”

“I know, baby. We’ll figure this all out. Now let’s go get our movie on.”

It was not a scary movie. No, in fact it was a movie from before either of us were born. A musical that Piper knew every single word spoken and every song sang. I wanted to muzzle her at one point. I tried shutting her up with kisses but even that didn’t work. Instead she swatted me away and told me if I got between her and her “Cool Rider” I was sitting on the floor. I have never been so grateful for a movie to end than I was of that one.

“Did you love it? It’s my favorite movie of all time. Michelle Pfeiffer was so pretty. I used to pretend I was her singing in the mirror.”

“Love is a pretty strong word for what I’m feeling after that. You are much prettier than Michelle Pfeiffer was.”

“Well, you’re sweet. I am not prettier than her and of course I know I can’t carry a tune but that doesn’t mean I can’t sing along if it makes me happy.”

I feel like this is one of those moments that she’s telling me a little about what lies beneath the surface. Something that drives her to be negative about herself. As much as I’d love to understand that more, it’s been ninety minutes since I’ve had her in my arms and that’s about all I can handle right now.

“You know what?”

“Nope, what?”

“I think you should pretend you are Michelle Pfeiffer like when she’s on that ladder. My lap could absolutely pass for a ladder, ya know.”

“Oh really?” she asks coyly, tugging on a strand of her hair and looking at me through her long lashes before looking away. I watch as her facial expression tells me she’s thinking too much again. She’s conflicted, and if I know Piper, and I think I do at this point, she is trying to avoid taking me up on my offer.

I remove her hand from hair and lace our fingers. “Hey,” I say, tugging her hand to catch her attention. She looks at me again and I see her wariness. “Don’t think, just feel. Piper, stop trying to talk yourself out of being with me.”

“I’m not talking myself out being with you. This is just so far outside of my comfort zone; you’re so brazen and outspoken. It should make me uncomfortable and shy.”

“Should?”

Instead of a response she unlaces our fingers and slowly moves to straddle me. Her hands first land on my shoulders, then slowly make their way down the front of my chest, ultimately spreading across my pecs to rest on my biceps.

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