Page 33 of No One Else

She surveys me critically, raking me up and down with her eyes. Fuck, I could get used to that kind of attention from her.

“Actually, I sort of had an idea, if you’re willing.”

I nod, game for anything she wants to do to me.

“Could you take your shirt off? Pics of that would get an even better response.”

My brows pop up but I do as she requests. Though there’s a slight chill in the air, it feels good after doing construction work for the last hour.

“So if you could stand in front of the- no, on the other side- here.” She comes and positions me in place, her hands cold against my overheated skin. “I want you just like this.”

I close my eyes and take a deep breath, hearing her words in a completely different context from how she means it. Her fingers delicately stroke me as she moves my arm to the front, her breath hot on my chest as she angles my shoulders. I swallow thickly, craving more of her touch, even though I should be more than satisfied with what I’m getting.

My eyes open, catching her lingering stare on me, her chest subtly rising and falling. She raises her gaze to meet mine, mutual attraction in full force.

She clears her throat and whispers, “Perfect,” stepping back and tapping away on her phone taking pictures of me.

I’m this close to sporting wood, aroused solely by the minimal contact. This is what happens when you’ve been hung up on a girl forever. It takes nothing to get you primed.

“I don’t have to keep my shirt off during the event, do I?” I ask, trying to lighten the mood, distract myself from the fact that she was just willingly touching me, her hands on my bare skin, appreciating my body.

“No,” she smiles. “You’re good to put it back on.”

She focuses on her phone again, posting the pictures. “I’ll take ones of Angela once she gets here too.”

“Topless?” I grin.

She shakes her head at me, stifling a smile. “Hey, we’ve got some traction already,” she says, looking down at the screen. “One girl says she wants to sample the goods.”

“Didyouwant to sample the goods before we start?”

Her jaw drops down, eyes wide.

“I meant that as a joke,” I rush to add, not knowing why I even said it in the first place. It just word vomited out of me.

“No, it’s a good idea.” Now my jaw drops. “The first rule of marketing is to know your product inside out. How can I recommend you as a good kisser if I don’t know for myself?”

I don’t bring up the fact that we’ve actually already kissed, or that she presumably had no intention of doing the same with Chad.

My heartbeat picks up as she steps nearer, settling her hands lightly on my shoulders, tilting her face up toward mine. This close I can appreciate the brilliant emerald of her eyes, curiosity lurking in them.

I bend my head down and capture her lips with my own before she can change her mind, everything as soft and sweet as I remembered. I was afraid I’d built up that kiss between us from December to unrealistic proportions.

But I was right. It’s just as good - like a second coming. The softness of her lips. The insane rush of lust in the pit of my stomach. The urge to tug her close, wrap myself around her, consume her.

I pull away slightly, knowing I’ve already pushed my luck, kissing her way longer than I would ever kiss a stranger in the booth. But I’m unwilling to break the connection completely, my fingers curled around her waist, though I don’t even remember putting them there.

Her breaths are coming faster now, her face too close to mine to tell what she’s thinking, but the tug she gives on my neck to bring it back down toward her tells me all I need to know.

I groan as our mouths meet again, rougher this time, the fire between us sparking hotter. Her lips are insistent, needy, demanding more.

I’ll give her anything she wants.

I back her up against the booth, pressing against her, needing more contact. My thumbs trace circles on her hips, teasing her, the hitch in her breath spurring me on.

“You know, you really don’t have to give a demonstration. I’m pretty sure people can figure it out for themselves.”

Natalie jumps away, her cheeks flushed, lips swollen, and looks at the girl that’s approached us.

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