Page 117 of Fake Dating My Best Friend

His fingers still, and he starts pulling me in. Closer, closer, until there’s barely a breath between our lips.

“How would you . . .” His blue eyes darken. “Like me to explain?”

I can feel the heat radiating from his eyes, from his body. We’re both breathing hard, but neither of us is moving. This is the last chance to back away and preserve our simple friendship.

“You can show—”

I don’t get to finish my sentence because he presses his lips onto mine.

My eyes are wide open, shock jolting through me, a rush of warmth and something overwhelming spreading through my chest like ripples in water.

Asher is kissing me.

His lips are soft and firm at the same time, moving with an extreme slowness that unravels me inch by inch. His lips catch mine gently, just enough to make my breath stutter. Then, he releases it only to take it again, even slower and softer.

He’s patient. Not rushed or demanding. Like how I had imagined Asher’s kiss will be. Gentle.

He tastes like mint and something purely Asher. He moves like he knows my lips. Like a song I’ve never heard, yet somehow know every word to. Like we’ve done this a thousand times before.

My whole life flashes before me. From the first time I met him outside our new house, to the first time I realized my heartbeat was too fast around him, to all those endless nights I practiced disciplining my feelings away. And until our lips are against each other, I don’t realize I’ve been waiting for this.

“Close your eyes. Peachie.” He mumbles against my lips. His lashes are half-lowered, lips brushing mine in the barest, teasing strokes.

I close my eyes and cup the back of his head. My fingers tangle in his hair, and I tilt my head to match him. He groans, a low, hungry sound vibrates against my mouth. His tongue traces the seam of my lips before slipping inside to stroke against mine. The pressure of his mouth intensifies, turning from gentle to scorching in seconds, and I swear my heart’s trying to escape my chest and leap directly into his.

Asher stands up from the chair without breaking the kiss, his strong hands circling my waist and lifting me as if I weigh nothing. He shuffles the computer away with one hand and sets me on his desk, the solid wood cool against the backs of my thighs. His fingers dig into my hips, possessive and urgent, as he tightens his arms around me, pulling me to the edge of the desk until there’s no space between us.

“Do you always kiss like . . . like you’re trying to ruin someone for all other kisses?”

“No.” His lips hover over mine for a heartbeat, just long enough to make me ache for more. The next second, his mouth crashes back onto mine, stealing what little air I have left.

We’re both frantic like we’re trying to make up for all the kisses we should have shared before now. Or trying to memorize each moment like this might be our last kiss. I can’t think straight, can’t remember why I’ve been running from this for so long.

But I’m sure this is my first, last, and only perfect kiss because Asher Collymore just rewrote the definition of perfection with his lips.

He pulls back just enough, voice rough and husky.

“Been waiting years to do that.”

I blink, still dazed. “I never imagined you’d kiss like . . . that.”

Asher rests his forehead against mine. His dark gaze flickers over my face.

“I’d kiss you all the ways you want. I’d be anything for you.”

My heart is still racing, lips tingling from his touch. I feel light-headed, like I’ve spun around too many times on the gym’s rowing machine.

“Is this how you’d talk to a real girlfriend?”

“No. I only talk toyoulike this.” His fingers trace slow, deliberate circles against my lower back. “And I want you to be myrealgirlfriend.”

Asher cups my face, tilting my chin just enough to make sure I’m looking right at him.

“It’s always been you. From the beginning. And none of this has ever been fake for me.”

His words hit me like a bucket of ice water.

What did I just do? Kiss my best friend? Ruin our twenty-year friendship? Create the world’s most awkward neighbor situation ever?

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