Page 29 of College-Virgin & Dark Bully Next-Door

I blink a few times, and Ash kisses my wrist before giving me a soft smile. “I should call you teddy bear instead of bumble bee now.”

“Don’t you start with that bullshit. We’re not friends, we’re just … confused.”

“Sure.” He kisses my palm. “I’mrealconfused.” Another kiss that sends little sparks of pleasure through my skin. “Obviously.”

I swallow and feel my hips roll as he continues his trail of kisses up my forearm, stopping at the inside of my elbow. For some reason, my skin buzzes from the light touch of his lips there. There goes all my sass. Instead, I look to the side and drop my hands.

“Sky?”

“This doesn’t make things okay.”

“Nothing I do or say can make that shit from last time okay. I know that.”

“Do you?”

“Yes, and Iamsorry. I’m sorry for all the shitty things I said and did even before that night. Those fucking teasing, the insults, all of it. I was a dick-for-brains, and I know it. You didn’t deserve any of it.”

“No, I didn’t.”

He shrugs with a sudden smirk. “I mean, youarea little creepy and witchy and weird as hell since you like bugs.”

I can’t help chuckling, though I slap him, anyway. “So much for that apology, dickhead.”

“If you weren’t all that, I wouldn’t be right here apologizing. Own your personality.”

What the fuck am I supposed to say to that? I cave for half a second and brush my fingers through his hair again. “You are stupid.”

His eyes do that fucking smolder thing again, and he pulls me back down, so I’m not taller than him on my knees. Warm, safe, so good. I rub over his chest and feel his forehead brush mine.

“I’m a fucking idiot,” he sighs. “Because all I want to do is kiss you.”

“Because I’m not interested in you?”

“Because I like you,” he whispers. “Because I’ve liked spending the day with you, bugs and all, more than I’ve liked any date in years. Not to mention you’re fucking sexy when you’re hot and bothered.”

“I was not!” I yelp.

He grins softly and brushes my hair from my face. “I know you’re not ready, Sky. And I know you don’t really want to kiss me. I’m not going to do anything.”

“That’s why?”

“I’m not going to fuck up your first kiss,” he snorts. “I have some fucking respect.”

He didn’t used to. What was that thing I heard on T.V.? That boundaries are sexy? The fact he clearly wants to make a move, clearly wants to kiss me, even if it’s just a kiss because I’m here, but won’t … is hot. Really hot.

I fist the hair on his neck. “So don’t fuck it up.”

“What?”

Fuck letting him make the first move then. I rub my thumb under his bottom lip. “If I’m giving it to you, then don’t fuck it up, Ash.”

He groans and pulls me closer, our lips so close to touching. “Why are you saying yes?”

“Take it or leave it,” I order.

He hesitates a moment, then his mouth comes down on mine. Despite his hands clinging to me, his mouth is soft, just his lips feeling it out. I adjust on him and change the angle. Aren’t people supposed to use tongues?

I part my lips just enough to try, which breaks whatever was stopping Ash. His hand in my hair jerks my head back, and my eyes flick open as his tongue slips into my mouth. His eyes are clenched shut, and then his tongue strokes mine, and I’m lost.

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