Page 3 of Duke's Daring Bookworm
To those that didn’t know him, it seemed meaningless. Wings sprouting from a rose, the lines falling over each other carelessly. Just how he wanted people to see him—careless—but I saw his mom in it. She grew some rare roseswhile she was still alive. She didn’t allow anyone to touch them—they were so beautiful.
Duke’s hand came up and stopped mine, holding it still against his chest.
“I’m not done tracing your tattoo,” I protested, but he didn’t move his hand. He frowned down at me, his gaze intense. I wanted to trace the wrinkle between his brows and make the frown go away, but he shook his head and got rid of it himself before I even moved my hand. His features softened into a smile.
“I did have a date, but not one that can’t be canceled. I already messaged her to say something came up and I wouldn’t be able to make it.” His arm wrapped around my back, his hand still holding mine against his chest, rising and falling with his gentle breaths.
“Oh no, she won’t be happy about that. Women don’t like it when their dates don’t show up. Though, I might have been happier if my date didn’t show up tonight. Sometimes, I think it would be better if none of my dates showed up. I don’t want to be alone, but why do I have to go through all this? It’s such a pain and then men aren’t even nice to me. Not like you. You’re always nice to me.”
I leaned into Duke and rested my head on his chest. We stood outside, the car door opened behind us, and I wanted to live in this spot forever.
“I’m sorry he was a jerk to you. You deserve much better.” I almost didn’t hear Duke’s quiet words.
“Am I a fridge birch?”
“A what?” His laughter jarred my head where it rested against his chest, but I didn’t move.
“A fridge bitch. No, that’s not right. A frigid birch… birch… bitch. That’s the one. Am I a frigid bitch?”
When I lifted my head, a wrinkle carved a deep linebetween his eyes as he stared down at me.
The moon, full and bright, hung behind him, and the soft glow of the car light bathed his face in warmth. Duke looked perfect in the golden glow, backlit by the night’s silent guardian, like it blessed him, caressed him, yearned for him. He would hate to be called an angel, but maybe he wouldn’t mind being Lucifer right before he fell.
I opened my mouth to say as much when his voice cut through the air, and I remembered I asked him a question.
“Whatever that idiot said... he doesn’t know you and didn’t stick around long enough to learn. Hell, I’ve known you my whole life and you still surprise me.”
I’d forgotten that he held my hand until his thumb traced my fingers with a touch so light I almost didn’t feel it. Maybe he didn’t even realize that he did it, but that thumb stole all my focus, like lightning on my skin.
“Is that a good thing?” I asked into the quiet night, my muddled brain needing more time to process his words. “That I surprise you?”
We stood so close that I saw the bob of his Adam’s apple beat out a rhythm, like a message in Morse code I didn’t quite understand. I had the sudden and intense urge to lick it, to see what he tasted like.
“Well, it certainly keeps me on my toes. Now, let’s get you inside.” He let go of my hand and stepped back. I wasn’t sober yet, I knew that much, but the world stopped spinning, and I didn’t fall over when I walked. Still, he held my waist and helped me walk to the door. I leaned into him, comfortable and cozy.
This was how a date should end. I giggled at the thought of Duke as my date. What if I kissed him at the door? What would his lips taste like?
He let us into my house. Good thing he remembered thecode, because drunk me didn’t.
Even though Duke said nice things to try to make me feel better, Chris’ words from earlier kept playing on repeat in my head. I didn’t know if I was a frigid bitch or not. No one’s ever given me a chance to find out. What if I am and that’s why I can’t get past the first date?
I had to know what it felt like. Just a kiss.
I turned to Duke once he closed the door and without giving him a warning, or myself a chance to back down, I kissed him.
I. Kissed. Duke.
I had to stand on my toes to reach his mouth, having kicked off my shoes at some point on the way home. I held his face between my hands and pressed my lips against his, unsure of what to do beyond this and hoping that he would take over.
His lips were soft, and stubble tickled my hands. It felt… good. So good.
Duke’s hands softly pushed me away. Always so gentle with me.
“Lily, what are you doing?” He didn’t let go of me, but held me away from him so I couldn’t attack him again.
“I’m kissing you. I thought that was obvious. I had just thought about using my tongue when you stopped me. Did I do it wrong?” I brought my hand up to my tingling lips, not ready to be done.
“You—” Duke took a deep breath “— why did you kiss me?”
