Page 30 of The Holiday Fail

“You’re setting the bar high,” I said with a laugh. “What if I hate the movie?”

“That’s impossible,” he said with finality, then pressed play on the remote.

I didn’t know much aboutThe Addams Familybesides the details their song described. ‘Creepy and kooky.’ It seemed spot on when, within the first few minutes of the movie, we watched the family pour boiling oil on a group of carolers.

“Cozy?Thisis what you callcozy?” I gestured to the screen where the family was laughing and taking enjoyment from the screams.

Levi shrugged. “They were trespassing.” He grabbed a handful of popcorn and munched happily on it.

“Remind me to never get on your bad side,” I said and stole a few pieces for myself. “There’s some real darkness hidden beneath that bright and sunny exterior.”

When I faced the TV again, something bounced against the side of my head. The item slid down and landed on my lap. I turned back to the culprit with a bored expression. “Food isn’t meant to be played with and wasted.”

Levi looked unfazed as he flashed his pearly whites at me, reached downonto my lap, and retrieved the wayward popcorn.

Was it me, or did his handlingernear my very private parts a littletoolong? Longer than necessary?

Great, now I couldn’t stop imagining those big hands reaching for somethinga lotbigger and harder between my legs.

I really needed a night out to get laid.

Levi was completely oblivious to my inner turmoil and casually plopped the popcorn into his mouth before returning his focus to the screen.

I tried to do the same, to focussolelyon the movie, but I couldn’t stop thinking about how close he was to me, so close I was starting to feel a bit too heated.

Then my nose caught onto a scent that wafted in the air that wasn’t the butter from the popcorn. No, it was pine and sunshine and so, sodelicious.

“What are you doing?”

Levi’s voice sounded far too close, like he was practically on top of me. It was only then that I realized I’d unknowinglyleaned my face closer until my nose was inches away from that delicious smell that seemed the strongest behind his ear.

I instantly flinched back, almost knocking over the bowl of popcorn. Thankfully, Levi held it tight and stopped a giant mess from happening.

“Sorry. I…I…”

What was I supposed to tell him after basically sniffing him up like a dog in heat?

Sorry, I was just trying to figure out what perfume you use so that I can buy some to jerk off to later?

Yeah, because that would go over well. I’d be lucky if Levi didn’t kick me out if he found out I was lusting for him.

Shit.

That revelation hit like a bull charging at a red flag because all of thiswasa red flag. This wasn’t me. I wasn’t attracted to men. I wasn’t…

But then, here was Levi, smelling so freaking good, I was having a hard time just thinking. His eyes were honest as they looked at me,saw me…and, dear god did he see me.

I squirmed underneath those eyes that seemed able to stare right into my core. I feared what he might find there.

My mouth was dry with no reply. It became even drier still when Levi placed a hand on my thigh.

I looked at the hand—and my thigh, which might as well be aforeign object to me with how it wasburningwith the weight of Levi’s hand.

“Hey, I wanted to thank you for dinner the other night. For trying to help me,” Levi said. His voice was soft, a bit shy, as he looked at me through his lashes.

It was such a random thing to bring up, but I welcomed it. I needed the reminder that I was supposed to help him with dating. Dating someone who wasn’t me. And Ireallyneeded tochill out, which I was finding very hard to do with how searing Levi’s hand was on me.

I cleared my throat, trying to focus on anything but where he was touching me. “Yeah, I’m happy to help,” I said. I tried to stop my words there, because I knew I would ramble if I didn’t, but I was unsuccessful. “Though I feel bad since we ended up chatting and having fun at dinner instead of focusing on your dating habits. We should set up another time so I can help you.”

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