Page 63 of 10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love

“Hey, Joey?” I say, trying not to let my nerves show. He waits patiently. Always patient. “So, uh, it turns out I really like your face. And, if you’re still amenable, I’d very much like to greet your tonsils with my tongue.”

Joey blinks at me, the towel falling from his fingers.

I cringe.

Yeah, that could’ve gone better.

Chapter 16

Joey

“I’m sorry,” I say slowly, positive I must have misheard. “You want to greet my…tonsils with yourwhat?”

“Tongue?” Brad answers, not sounding sure.

I take a breath and stand up, feeling dizzy. “Are you… Are you saying you want tokissme?”

“See, it sounds so much better when you say it,” he mumbles, frowning.

“Bub. Are you serious?”

He winces a little and stands, his hair an absolute mess, the front of his shirt still wet. “I am serious. Would you still want to kissme? I know that was a long time ago, and your feelings might have changed since then, but—”

His words cut off when I take his face in my hands. My inhale is shaky, my heart pattering along as I hold Brad’s gaze. His eyes, so very green, are wide open and staring right back at me. There’s no question in my mind.

I don’t know who moves first. Brad tugs my shirt, I back him into the wall, and then my lips are on his and everything is narrowing down tohim. The softness of his mouth, his chest bumping mine, his smell, his taste, the sound of his surprise.

“Fuck,” Brad gasps, pulling me closer.

His mouth parts, and I don’t hesitate. I dive in, swallowing down his moan, relishing the way his fingers tighten in my shirt. He’s perfect—perfect—and I’d consume him if I could. I’d take him down my throat, keep a piece of him inside me always.

“Joey,” he breathes, those two syllables spurring me on. His head thunks against the wall when I drop my lips to his neck, sucking on the sensitive skin there. “Haaah.”

His fingers find my hair, and I’m back at his mouth, nearly shaking with my want for him. When did this happen? What changed? Is this real? He wants this, right? He’s so sweet.Sosweet. God, I’m mauling him. I need to pull back. I need…

Brad’s startled sound has me backing off in an instant, our lips parting with a smack. He looks dazed, his hair in disarray, pink coloring his cheeks.

“I’m sorry,” I say, my breath coming short. “Was that too much?”

“No, no,” he answers quickly, his gaze slipping downward. “It’s just, uh… Ho-hooo-ly shit, is that a big hammer you’ve got pressed to my hip.”

I step quickly back, cursing my carelessness. Brad’s gaze stays zeroed in on my crotch, his eyes wide.

“He’s a gregarious fellow, isn’t he?” he says with a nervous laugh. “Just really wanted to pop up and say hello.”

“Sorry,” I repeat, adjusting myself as best as I can.

Brad blinks. “Hoo,” he says, seemingly shaking himself loose. He runs his hands through his hair, taming the strands somewhat. “I guess I’m kind of flattered, you know? Just…don’t expect that thing to fit right away. Christ.”

I blink after Brad as he swipes the fallen water glass off the floor, along with his fanny pack, and starts making his way down the stairs.

“You have coffee?” he calls.

I’m not sure I have a single functioning brain cell left after that.

I find Brad in the kitchen, rifling through my cupboards. “Let me,” I say, grabbing the coffee from the pantry. I keep one eye on him as I portion the beans into the blender, my pulse flitting about wildly. He’s looking out the window to the backyard, a contemplative expression on his face.

Once the coffee is ground, I dump it in the filter and turn on the pot. It starts to spit as I face my houseguest, not knowing what to make of his mood or…this. Any of it.

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