Page 27 of The Perfect Love

I stare at him for a long moment, replaying last night and trying to figure out what I want. If I can trust him. Sarah said he was one of the good ones, and sure, they were young, but if they dated that long she’d know, right?

“Can I ask you a question?”

He bobs his head. “Sure.”

“If I hadn’t stopped us last night, what would’ve happened?”

His eyes narrow and he watches me for a moment like my question is some kind of trick.

“Nothing more than you would’ve wanted to happen.”

“Okay, if I had been up for absolutely anything and you were the one calling the shots, what would’ve happened?”

Again, his hand goes to his floppy curls. “I would’ve kept kissing you.”

“And that’s all?”

“No.” He blows out a sigh. “I probably would’ve pinned you to the couch and deepened that kiss, and if I was really fucking desperate—which I kind of am for you—I might have touched you through your leggings and ground against you a bit. Then we would’ve laughed that off, and I’d have offered for you to spend the night—just to sleep—or walked you to your car.” His cheeks are pink, but his grin comes back. “Where I would’ve pressed you against the door and kissed you again, made sure I got your number, and asked you on a date.”

My eyes widen. Was I expecting him to tell me something moresexual? Was I reading too much into it? Either way, I wasn’t ready for that level of kissing, but what he described… I think I’d like to get to that place. With him.

“Really?” I breathe.

“I’ve done the hookup scene. It’s not my thing. And nothing about the time I spent with you last night was what I’d do with someone I wanted to sleep with. I don’t sit with a girl all night, play with her hair, and ask her question after question because I want to havesexwith her. I wanted to get to know you. Still do. But like I said, that doesn’t have to be as anything other than friends if you don’t want more.”

But… I think I do want more.

He checks the time on his phone and glances across campus.

“I’m not against going on a date with you.” The words fly out of my mouth all at once.

“But you said—”

“I know. And Ihadsworn off guys. Last night I moved too fast. Faster than I should’ve let myself. But I—you…” I sigh dramatically because this inability to communicate with him thing is really annoying.

He bites his lip and smiles, then moves closer.

“I’d love to take you on a date. No expectations. Let’s see what happens. And if it helps, I promise I won’t even try to kiss you.”

“What?”

“You said you moved too fast last night. If you need to wait on kissing or anything else, I don’t mind taking things slow.”

My mouth falls open. I really wasn’t expectingthat. But maybe I should’ve been. He showed me how thoughtful he was last night. That same voice from somewhere deep inside me, the one I kept hearing last night, whispers to me again.Maybe you can trust him.I need to try, at least.

“I… I’m not against kissing.” I’m really not. Especially understanding his intentions now. Though I still need to go at a snail’s pace.

“So, is that a yes to going on a date?”

I don’t bother trying to fight back my smile. “You make it really hard to say no.”

He holds his hands up. “If you want to take some time to think about it—”

“No. I mean yes.” I almost roll my eyes at my ridiculousness. “No. I don’t need time.Yes. My answer is yes. I’ll go on a date with you. But I have a condition.”

And holy freaking hotness, the massive smile on his face somehow brightens the already sunny day. If I’d known I’d get to see that, I would’ve said yes quicker.

“Name it.”

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