Page 45 of The Best Book Boyfriend
My phone lights up in my hand and when I glance down, I see there are new messages in our group chat.
Hattie:WHAT IS HAPPENING
Hattie:SEXY READATHON
I throw her a glare and usher them both out the door.
Chapter 19
Kara
Lukearrivesalittleafter 10am and when I answer the door, he hands me a tray with two coffees from Sunshine, two bottles of green juice, fresh pastries and a punnet of grapes.
“Aww, your first readathon and you have got the snacks game nailed already.” He’s dressed in light grey jogging bottoms and a dark green hoodie, and even though he’s got a hint of just-rolled-out-of-bed about him, he smells great. That fresh, clean scent with a hint of woody spice that I’ve smelled on him before. Oh yes, when my face was mere inches from his bare skin the night I begged to stroke his stomach.
“I figured you might need a second breakfast after your early start.” He tucks his shoes neatly next to mine and I feel a little nervous flutter. This is the first time we’ve been alone together in my house. The first time we’ve been alone inside since the fateful night on the sofa.Must not think about Luke’s stomach. Must not think about how I know he likes to have his neck kissed.“How’ve you been getting on so far?”
“Two books down, but both were novellas. Come on through.”
“That’s impressive.” He follows me through the hallway and into the living room where I’ve laid out snacks and books on the coffee table for us both. The patio door is open and there’s a nice breeze coming in. It’s a perfect day for a readathon.
“So how are we going to do this?”
“I thought, if you’re keen, maybe we could read a couple of the same books together? You can have my physical copy and I’ll download the ebook, and then we can chat about them as we go.”
“You’re a much faster reader than me, though.”
“We could buddy read?”
“What’s that?”
“We’ll start each chapter at the same time. If I finish first, I can read something else until you’re done, and then we can keep going at the same pace.”
“You don’t mind switching between books?”
“No, I’ve usually got a few on the go.”
“OK, let’s do that then.”
I pass him my first choice and pick up my e-reader to download another copy for me. “Do you want sofa or armchair?”
“I don’t mind.”
“Take the sofa, stretch out. I’ve been reading in bed so I’d rather sit up for a bit,” I flop into the armchair and shuffle into my favourite position, knees tucked up to my chest. Luke does a couple of faux lunges, interlacing his fingers and stretching his arms out in front of him, limbering up before flopping onto the sofa with a little jump. I try not to think about his perfect penis just hanging out underneath those loose trousers.
Half an hour later, I deeply regret choosingTen Night Standfor our buddy to read. It’s about an actress called Daisy who brings Marco home for a one-night stand. In a lot of romance books the sex doesn’t kick in until at least halfway through, but these two are going at it from page one. Unfortunately for Daisy, it’s pretty average, and she’s looking forward to kicking Marco out.
Even more unfortunately, since it’s set during the pandemic, they both take a test before he leaves and when it turns out they’re both positive she agrees to let him stay and quarantine in her flat with her. I like this spin on the Forced Proximity trope, especially since they’ve already done it and weren’t keen to stick around longer than necessary.
I finish the first chapter and wait for Luke to catch up, eager to hear his thoughts.
“OK, now what?” he asks, resting the book on his lap, his finger slipped between the pages as a bookmark.
“You tell me what you think will happen.”
“I reckon they’ll get on each other’s nerves before getting under each other’s skin.”
“I think the same. I bet there’ll be a huge misunderstanding. Marco will try to leave, but he can’t. Then they’ll clear the air with some great sex and live happily ever after. I’m hoping for a hallway confession of love.”
