Page 105 of Smooth Sailing

“No, baby,” he whispered, looking right in my eyes. “Not even a little bit.”

God, I needed to kiss him.

“Are you sure we can’t make out?”

My heart soared when he dipped in and touched his lips to mine.

Then he pulled back.

And I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Tease,” I accused.

“Whatever,” he replied. “Put ice cream on the list. And a jar of hot fudge, a can of whipped cream, not that Cool Whip stuff, nuts and cherries.”

“You’re hog wild when it comes to sundaes,” I noted with deep approval.

“We could say I’m an aficionado.”

Now he was totally teasing, and it was totally sweet, so I laughed out loud.

Hugger curled an arm around my shoulders, tucked me close and ordered, “Woman. List.”

I got down to scribbling.

Hugger helped with menu selections.

Big Petey came back with Madison’s phone, and we decided he’d go to the store because he didn’t have any problem taking Baby Shark and neither of their bikes could cart that amount of groceries.

Hugger stayed with me, chilling, chatting and starting up My Cat from Hell episodes until Big Petey got back with the groceries. He helped put away (another big one for the pro side) before he returned to my room to try another nap.

Madison came out not much later, and was so happy to have a phone, she actually gave Big Petey a hug.

He wrapped her close in his arms, looked over her head and met my eyes.

Mine were wet.

And his were too.

Pizza, hot fudge sundaes, copious beer and wine consumed, the men were gone, Big Petey going with them.

Madison had turned in early, probably still drained from her emotional day (though, I had the sneaking suspicion she was also giving me time alone with Hugger).

This I was taking, not cuddling on the couch.

Oh no.

We were both stretched out on it, Hugger to the back, me along his front, our arms around each other and our legs a little tangled, totally in make-out position (and more), just without the making-out part.

He had a weird way of not being affectionate and touchy.

I wasn’t going to say a danged thing.

As noted, we were not snogging, but Hugger was busy inscribing a number of pros on the Do I Want to Explore This with Hugger List.

These included being hella skilled with delivering an Eskimo kiss (I mean…yum), having awesome powers using his hands to smooth and sooth and not get a girl hot and bothered (or not too hot and bothered, I was both just being so close to him, feeling his warmth, smelling his scent, having his attention), and playing footsie.

Yes!

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