Page 59 of Fumbled Beginning

An amused glint lit his eyes, and my senses went on high alert. “I plan on kissing every inch of you when I get you home later.”

“Good, because that’s what I wished for when I blew out my candles.”

He chuckled against my neck. “Did you have a good birthday?”

“Minus the cut, it was the best,” I murmured as he scraped his stubble along my cheek.

He tipped my chin up with his thumb and lowered his mouth to mine. His fingers dug into my hips, pulling me closer. The kiss was slow and tender; he was doing everything he could to keep it light. I tried to deepen the kiss, but he was holding himself back, not wanting to get too excited in my parents’ bathroom. The feeling of his length growing thicker through his jeans wasn’t helping matters.

JP lifted me up and moved me to a sitting position on the vanity to trail his mouth along my neck. My chest rose and fell, and I didn’t need to turn around and look in the mirror to know my cheeks were completely flushed. It didn’t take much with him to get me worked up.

The door creaked open, and my brother’s groan was hard to ignore.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” Maverick threw his hands over his eyes. “I don’t need to see this shit.”

I giggled into JP’s shoulder. “Buddy, this is G-rated compared to what we normally do. And after hooking up with my friend, I’d say you deserve it.”

“I married her,” he said, trying to defend himself. He peeked through his fingers and lifted his head slowly, making sure there wasn’t much to see.

“I don’t care. I’ve had to endure watching you two love-sick fools for the past year and a half. This is just a warmup, so buckle up buttercup.”

JP’s smile was so big it caused his dimples to pop out.

Maverick threw his hands up and walked away. “I’m moving, preferably, to another continent where I don’t have to be tortured like this.”

He could act disgusted all he wanted, but he’s often told me how much of a difference he’s noticed with his best friend since we got together.

JP eased back, his large hands framing my face. “Are you ever going to take it easy on him?”

I patted his cheek. “Eventually, but not anytime soon.”

CHAPTER18

JP

There was a quiet knock,like the person on the other side was afraid to make too much noise.

“Come in,” I yelled as best as I could.

Rylee slowly opened the door and sighed. She took her shoes off and tiptoed over to the couch. I sat up and pushed my mussed-up hair back.

“I brought soup and medicine.”

“You’re an angel.” My voice was hoarse and raspy from coughing.

She set the bag down on the coffee table. “Please tell me you sound worse than you feel.”

I attempted a grin. “Why don’t you come a little closer and get a better look?”

“How about you take these and eat a little bit first?” She held out a few pills and a bottle of water.

“Are you my nurse now?” I asked and grabbed the pills from her palm. I’ve been lying flat on my back all day, so even the slightest movement was uncomfortable. It felt like I’d been run over by a bus.

It turned out that Zander had a nasty bug. Everyone at Rylee’s birthday dinner caught it but her and her mom.

“I am, but there will be no role playing, so don’t get any ideas?” she said, arranging a few pillows so I could prop my body up a little bit more.

“You could have at least worn one of those short, white nurse outfits so I could cop an easy feel?”

---