Page 16 of Calling the Shots

The man is a fantastic kisser.

I want that mouth all over my body, not gonna lie. Want to feel his tongue tracing lazy circles on my thighs, licking me in all the right spots, making me squirm and writhe for him.

So what if he’s older than me? Just means he’s got more experience and knows what the fuck he’s doing with his life. It could be refreshing to date someone with life goals and shit.

Buzz.

I pauseThe Bachelorepisode I’m watching and check my phone. I don’t recognize the number.

Hey, Firecracker

Mack.

Holding my breath, I text back, my fingers shaky over the keyboard.

Hey. What’s up?

I re-read the text and decide I can do better. Delete and try again.

Hey. Can we finish what we started this morning?

Mack: That’s what I’m texting you about. I thought about it and I don’t think it’s a good idea

My stomach sinks, reading and re-reading the words, right there in cold black-and-white.

I don’t think it’s a good idea.

Mack’s rejecting me.

Dammit.

I stare up at the ceiling, disappointment weighing heavy on my chest. This thing between us has been going on for less than twenty-four hours. Why does it feel as bad as a real break up?

Sucking in a breath, I gnaw at my lower lip, weighing my options. I could do what I usually do and cut my losses. Agree with him and keep things firmly in the friend zone. I close my eyes and visualize what that would look like.

Working right next door to him and acting like his lips never touched mine, his hands haven’t caressed my breasts, my ass.

That scenario doesn’t feel great, leaving me with a hard pit in my stomach.

Or, I could take a big-ass risk right now and actually go for it. Because the thing between me and Mack feels different. Rare and special. I’ve never felt like this before in my entire life. Light and airy, an electric spark burning bright from deep inside me.

And dammit, I don’t want to back down and run away from that.

Again.

Not this time.

I decide to go for it.

Gracelyn: Stop thinking so much

Mack: That approach typically gets me in trouble

Gracelyn: Trouble’s my middle name

Mack: That’s what I’m afraid of

Gracelyn: You’re scared of me?

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