Page 14 of Lustful Nights

“Until me,” I repeat, leaning closer to him.

“Yeah, I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind. It’s like you’ve been on constant replay. And then last night, there you were standing in front of me, and I couldn’t help myself. I had to kiss you, and to be honest, it’s really hard not to kiss you right now, too.”

“Oh, my god.” My heart is beating rapidly and sweat forms on my temples. “I’m not sure what to say. ’Cause, like, I really want to keep kissing you, but is that all this is? Kissing?”

Jensen grabs one of my hands, rubbing his thumb against my wrist. “Would you be mad if I said I don’t know? That I’m still working this all out myself? But what I do know is that I want to spend more time with you. Get to know you better.”

“You want to see where this goes?”

“Exactly. I’m attracted to you, Lennox. There’s no doubt about that. It’s been a while since I’ve been in a relationship, so I’m not sure I’m ready for that. But I want to hang out more. Get to know you more.”

“What about Nick?”

Jensen blows out a breath, closing his eyes. “I think we both know how Nick is. When it comes to you, he isveryoverprotective. I want to tell him, of course. He’s my best friend. But I also want to wait until we’re both sure if this is something. Fuck, I didn’t even give you time to say if it was something you would want. I just assumed. Is this something you would want? To see what happens between us?”

“I’d love that. And I agree, I don’t want to say anything to Nick until if or when it becomes something more.”

“Fuck, I hate lying to him.” Jensen runs his hands through his hair, lightly pulling on the strands. “But I think this is better kept quiet for now. Can I ask you a question?”

“Go ahead.”

“Why do you work at Peaches?”

“I needed something that paid more. Going to nursing school full-time takes up a lot of my time, and I wanted somewhere I could work for less hours but still make money.” Deciding to go back to school was a huge decision, and I didn’t realize how hard it was going to be until I was already neck-deep in it. I knew most people in my life wouldn’t understand my choice to work as a dancer, which is why I kept it to myself.

“Do you enjoy it?”

“I really do. Being onstage makes me feel freer than anything else, and it’s boosted my confidence,” I admit, using my finger to trace a circle onto the pillow in front of me.

“You’ve always been confident, Lennox. Even when you were young with a face full of braces, you were certain in who you are.”

“Thanks, but I’m not so sure that’s true. Plus, it doesn’t help that I’ve dated disaster after disaster. After a while, you kinda start thinking maybeyou’rethe one who’s the problem and not them.”

My exes have repeatedly knocked down my confidence, despite my attempts to build it up through dancing. It’s hard not to think the problem is you when it keeps happening over and over.

“I don’t think you’re to blame, Lennox. We may not be the best of friends, but I do know you. And having met some of your exes, I can confidently say the problem wasalwaysthem.”

“Thank you,” I murmur, gazing at Jensen. “Is it weird to say that I really want to kiss you again?”

“Come here, then.”

8

JENSEN

I wrapmy arm around Lennox’s waist, pulling him into my lap. “I thought it would be weirder, kissing a man for the first time, especially one who’s my best friend’s younger brother, but it doesn’t feel weird at all.”

“Less talking, more kissing.” I chuckle softly before snatching him around the nape and pulling his lips to mine. A spark hits my mouth, and I smile into the kiss. “What?” he asks, retreating.

“Nothing. I just realized I really like kissing you.” With one hand on the back of his neck and the other on his waist, I pull him toward me, taking his mouth with mine. The first kiss we had was amazing, but this one? This one is out of this world. The way he eagerly gives himself over to me is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before.

“For someone who has never kissed a man before, you are fantastic at it,” he says, pecking at my lips.

“Thanks? I think?” I give him one last peck before pulling away and resting both hands on his hips. “Do you have to work tonight, or would you want to stay for dinner?”

“I’d really love to stay.”

“All right, then you get to help me make it.” I lift him up off me, gently tossing him to the side.

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