Page 9 of Happily Ever Laughter

Felix: Can’t wait. See you soon.

I barely have enough time to check my outfit again from head to toe and fix my hair three more times before I hear a knock.

I had assumed that he would text me so I could run downstairs. I love that he came up to the door. It says he’s a little old-fashioned about the entire dating situation.

Swinging open my door, Felix looks absolutely mouthwatering in a tight long-sleeved t-shirt, and jeans that fit perfectly. It’s a casual look, but it shows off every inch of his well toned frame.

“Hi,” he says, leaning closer as his hand slips around my hip. “Listen, do you think that things should go in a straight line, or do you think that as creative types, we should forge our own path?”

“I guess…” I blink up at him, surprised at the question. “I guess that people should do whatever feels right for them?”

“Would it feel right if I kissed you right now?” Those warm brown eyes seek out mine desperately. “I know I’m not going to make it till the end of our date, and every minute I wait is going to drive me insane.”

My breath catches in my throat and I’m barely able to nod before his lips are on mine. Suddenly his body overtakes me completely, pinning me against the door as he holds me in his arms, kissing me as if he’s been waiting his whole life to feel my lips on his.

My mouth opens in a moan, allowing him to delve deeper.

Wow.

My brain is already spinning. I’ve never been kissed like this. Not even imagined it. Didn’t know it was possible. My hands wrap around the back of his neck, pulling him closer. I feel rather than hear the deep groan that rumbles through him.

Somehow he maneuvers me inside and kicks the door shut behind him. “Neighbors,” he grunts.

I see his eyes dart around my space for half a second before fixating on me again, kissing me so deeply I almost wonder if it’s possible to suffocate.

With a start, I realize that in my tiny studio apartment, we are within ten feet of my bed.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart,” he murmurs as if he can read my mind. “We’re going out. I just had to taste you first. To feel this connection between us.”

His hand presses against the bottom of my spine in a way that makes me slightly woozy. Felix eases off slightly, kissing me softly in a way that makes me feel like I’ve fallen into a dream.

Finally he pulls back and taps his nose against mine. “It almost killed me not to do that last night, sweetheart.”

Nobody has ever called me that before and it’s doing funny things to my pulse.

He steps back, gripping my hand, as he looks around my apartment. “Cute place. Great colors. I knew straight off that you were an artsy girl.”

My natural instinct is to shake my head and tell him that I’m not, but I decide to be honest, especially since I’m deeply hoping this turns into a lot more.

“I’ve always wanted to be a creative type, but I’ve never really had the opportunity,” I tell him, astounded that the words are tumbling out. “I’ve always loved to draw and make things, but nothing ever struck me as quite right for me until I started playing with video clips a few months ago.”

Those beautiful lips melted into a grin of surprised delight. “Only a few months? That’s amazing. Maybe that’s why your work looks so fresh.”

Felix glances toward my bed, which is covered in a red and purple patchwork quilt and large fuzzy mauve pillows that were a birthday gift from Diana.

His lips find my ear to breathe, “Someday soon, I’m going to spread you out naked on that bed and worship every inch of this gorgeous body until your voice is hoarse from crying out my name. But first, you need to be fed and entertained.”

A choked giggle bubbles out of me, as I nod. “Okay. Sure

.”

I lock up, then we go downstairs and out the front door of my building. As Felix pulls out his keys and helps me into a nondescript brown van, I begin to laugh. “You know that plain, dark vans always make women think of kidnappings, right?”

He tries to glare, but fails utterly and it dissolves into a smile. “I’d much rather have you come to my evil lair willingly.”

As I fasten my seatbelt and he runs around to jump into the driver seat, I realize that I’ve never laughed so much with a guy in my life. Not only does it make me feel comfortable around him, it’s sexy as hell. I had no idea.

We drive across town chatting merrily about his weird adventures in comedy music, and my recording clips becoming a slight obsession. I already love how closely he listens to every single word I say.

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