It wasn’t real, I knew that. But Tameron had just said he was my boyfriend.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
TAMERON
“He’s my boyfriend.”
That was the second time today I’d blurted something out, and both times, it had involved Dayton. First, I’d offered on an impulse to be his wingman as he scored a hookup, and now I’d made him my boyfriend. What the fuck was wrong with me? Why was my brain suddenly acting all weird when it came to Dayton?
“Boyfriend?” The guy looked from Dayton to me and then back. “I didn’t know…the market, babe.”
I missed some of that sentence, but it was probably something about Dayton being off the market.
And babe? Oh fuck, they knew each other? Jesus, what would Dayton do now? What would he think?
“Yeah, we’re pretty new,” Dayton said smoothly, sliding an arm around my waist. The casual touch sent sparks shooting through my body. “Sorry, Marcus. I wasn’t aware I needed to inform you of my relationship status.”
Marcus’s eyes narrowed. “You two don’t seem very coupley.”
Dayton’s arm tightened around me, pulling me closer. “We’re taking things slow.” His voice was warm and affectionate, andI had to remind myself this was all an act. “Tam’s still figuring things out.”
The nickname hit me right in the gut. No one called me Tam. Not even Nash. But coming from Dayton’s lips, it sounded…right.
“That true?” Marcus asked me directly. Luckily, he was facing me so I could read his lips.
I nodded, then realized I needed to sell this better. Following some instinct I didn’t know I had, I leaned into Dayton’s embrace. “Yeah. Day’s been really patient with me.”
Day? Where had that come from? But Dayton’s pleased smile told me I’d done good.
“Well, aren’t you two adorable,” Marcus drawled. “Prove it.”
My heart stopped. “What?”
“Kiss. If you’re really together, kiss.”
Was I reading his lips right? ‘He wants us to kiss?’ I signed to Dayton.
Dayton’s arm tensed around my waist. “We don’t have to prove anything to you, Marcus, let alone with a kiss.”
“No, you don’t. But if you don’t, I’m calling bullshit.”
I met Dayton’s eyes, seeing the question in them. He wouldn’t push this. He’d let Marcus call our bluff and deal with the fallout. Because that’s who he was—always putting others first.
But I didn’t want him to. Maybe it was the two beers I’d had, or maybe it was my bi-awakening earlier, or hell, maybe it was just being tired of fighting my attraction to Dayton. Whatever it was, I wanted this.
So I grabbed the front of his shirt, pulled him close, and kissed him.
It wasn’t the gentle peck I’d intended. The moment our lips touched, something inside me ignited. Dayton’s lips were soft but firm against mine, and when mine parted on a gasp, histongue slipped into my mouth. Heat exploded through me as I tasted a hint of the Coke he’d been drinking, but mostly pure Dayton. His arm around my waist tightened, pulling me flush against him as he deepened the kiss.
I’d never kissed a man before, but holy hell, this was nothing like kissing women. There was no softness, no yielding. Just raw power and need as we devoured each other’s mouths. My fingers were still tangled in his shirt, and I used that grip to pull him even closer, wanting more. Needing more.
We broke apart, both breathing hard. Dayton’s pupils were blown wide, and his lips were red and swollen. Had I done that? Fuck, that was hot.
Marcus muttered something I couldn’t make out.
‘Get a room,’ Dayton signed to me.
Marcus wanted us to get a room? Well, so did I.