Page 72 of The Fear of Falling
“You like me being flirty,” I argue, following him into the spare room.
“Too much,” he agrees and sets the bookshelf against the wall. “Here?”
I shake my head and point to a different wall. “Please,” I add, giving him a bright smile.
My phone buzzes with a text, and I grin when I see Dani’s response.
Dani:
*drooling emoji*
Don’t tell Mason…
Avery:
I was going to say…
Dani:
I’m in a happily committed relationship and my man is something to be admired, but I’m not blind!
“Next one right beside it?” Benson asks, pulling my eyes back up.
I nod as Dani’s next text comes in.
Dani:
I will point out you are not in a committed relationship. Neither is he. And you’re both consenting adults.
Avery:
Tell HIM that. He’s the one who’s resisting this.
And by this I mean me.
Dani:
How rude of him! Doesn’t he know self-control is overrated?
Avery:
I will get through to him. I am determined. *strong arm emoji*
Dani:
You can do it!! I believe in you!
Only time will tell if Dani and I are right. At some point a girl has to cut her losses, but I’m not ready to give up the fight just yet.
By the time Benson gets the second and third shelves into place, sweat drips from his temples and has collected at the front of his t-shirt. It’s a look that shouldn’t be attractive but totally is.He takes a water bottle from me when I offer it and drains the whole thing in one breath in a move that is sexier than it has a right to be. Who knew watching a man’s throat could be so much fun?
“Do all these books fit?” he asks, looking around at the many piles.
I bite my lip. “I should get another bookshelf.”
He groans. “You need to be stopped.” But there’s a smile playing on his lips and making his eyes twinkle. We stand there for a long time, watching each other, before he drops his eyes and speaks again. “Do you, uh, want help getting the books in place?”
Excitement bubbles up inside me. Moving the shelves was one thing—I couldn’t do that on my own. But for Benson to offer to help me with the books, there has to be a part of him that doesn’t want to leave. I don’t want him to leave either, but I also don’t want to push him too hard.
