Page 26 of Fumbled Into Love

I hadn’t planned on there being a ‘first time,’ let alone a ‘next time.’ It kind of just…happened. I raise a brow, and Deon blinks rapidly.

“Well—That’s not what I—Ifthere is a next time, I would prefer a bit of warning so I can prepare myself.”

Prepare himself? What the hell does that mean?

I ignore his odd comment for my peace of mind.

“That kisswasepic,” I declare, “The media is going to Eat. It. Up. I can read the headlines now.Quarterback Deon Adams mauls girlfriend outside of an upscale restaurant.”

“I did notmaulyou,” Deon hisses. “Youkissedme.” Deon’s eyes dart to my lips, and I smirk. “Your lips did the smashing against my lips. Not the other way around.”

“Oh, don’t pretend that wasn't the greatest kiss of your life,” I tease.

Deon features turn contemplative before a cocky grin overtakes his features. “I mean…I would rate it a six.”

“Asix? Please,” I scoff. “That was a world-altering, mind-boggling, life-changing smashing of lips,” I joke. “Admit it. You enjoyed it.”

Deon shakes his head, and annoyance flutters in my chest. Why can’t the stubborn man admit that it was a pretty decent kiss? I’m not going to fall in love with him because he admits it was a fun kiss. IknowI’m a good kisser, thanks to feedback I didn’t ask for from men I’ve hooked up with.

They weren’t thrilled they couldn’t make me come, but they were fans of my other capabilities, kissing included.

Deon shakes his head, smirking but refusing to answer.

“I’ll get that confession out of you.”

“You can try,” he goads, and I bite back any retort.

Instead, I attempt a convincinghead-over-heelsin love with this mansmile, and snap the photo. I lean into him, resting my head on his shoulder. The tension in Deon’s shoulder slowly dissipates as I snap a dozen photos at different angles.

“Do you have enough photos?” he asks impatiently, eyes flickering around the parking lot.

“I just need one more…”

I shove my phone in his face and snap a photo, cackling when it appears on my screen. I used the 0.5 magnification, and his head looks tiny on his massive frame. I spin it around to show him, my stomach cramping from laughter.

“Delete that. Delete that.Right. Now.”

Deon attempts to cut a vicious glare, but his lips wobble as a smile attempts to shine through.

“Never,” I declare, snatching my phone away when he reaches for it and sprinting to the car. It’s more of a slow hobble in my heels, but he lets me outrun him. “I’m keeping thisforever.”

I’m still laughing when Deon pulls up to my apartment building. He shakes his head but softens his gaze.

“Tonight was a lot of fun.”

I narrow my gaze. “Were you expecting to have a bad time?”

He grimaces, and I giggle.

“I was a bit worried at the restaurant,” he admits.

“If we’re going on a fake date, we might as well have fun, don’t you think?”

Deon nods, gaze flickering with something I can’t identify before it disappears. With my heels in my hand and my bag thrown over my shoulder, I slink out of his car with a goofy grin on my face.

“See ya later,boyfriend,” I yell, and Deon clicks his tongue, holding back a smile.

We’re going to be friends at the end of this.

---