Page 31 of Catastrophe Magnet

Heat tickles my cheeks, and I focus extra hard on the road ahead as I drive. “I told Snow I could go back to doing the coffee run in the mornings. And when I was in there, Perky mentioned you hadn’t been in this morning. Then she gave me your regular and asked me to drop it off to you.”

“Wow, that was really nice of her. And you,” he murmurs.

“Perky is real thoughtful; she’s the best.”

Springwood Apartments comes into view, and he chuckles. “How did you know where I live? I didn’t even tell you.”

I chew the corner of my lips, giving him a quick side-eye. “Belle ran a background check on you.”

“What?” He laughs. “Seriously? That’s a bit unethical, isn’t it?”

I shrug. “Possibly.”

“And an abuse of her position?” he adds.

“Probably.”

He’s still laughing through all this though, so I’m not too worried.

“She can’t help herself. She’s amazing with computers. Once when we were teenagers, she hacked into the high school computer system and switched a D to a C for me. Coach had it out for me ever since I accidentally—You know what, it doesn’t matter.”

I park his car in the garage beneath his building, then get out when he does, handing him back his keys.

He’s looking at me with a gorgeous smile on his handsome face and that cupid’s bow is tempting me something fierce. I want to lick it. I swallow as he moves closer, putting himself firmly inside my personal bubble. My skin prickles with anticipation as he hooks a finger under my chin, tipping it up until I meet his eyes.

“You are—” he says, shaking his head. “I really like you, Kida. And Ireallywanna kiss you right now.”

We’re so close. But not nearly close enough. My fingers flex at my sides. I want to touch him, but I’m afraid I’ll touch the wrong place and hurt him. So, I clutch the sides of his coat, my gaze never leaving his.

“Can I, Kida? Can I kiss you?” He breathes against my parted lips, and I nod.

His head dips and his firm lips feather over mine, so soft, so gentle, I ache for more. My lips tingle as he deepens the kiss, his tongue slipping inside my mouth, tasting me. My fingers tighten their hold of his coat, and I moan.

Arlo’s hand slips around the back of my neck, and then he drags me closer, his other hand settling on the small of my back, fingertips splaying wide. Our hips meet, and it’s so hard to stop myself from running my palms over his chest. A frustrated sound slips from my throat.

His lips curve against mine a moment before he pulls back. “I don’t want to stop, but we should. I need to get upstairs and put this ointment on.”

“Want help with that?” I ask.

He answers with a question of his own. “You want to come up with me?”

I lick my kiss-damp lips, then nod.

Arlo grins, takes my hand in his, and leads the way to the elevators.

Nervous energy buzzes in my veins as we step inside, and he hits the button for his floor. We ride in silence, I’m so jittery I don’t even notice which level he chose until we arrive and step out. I look around, confused. This is Kass’s floor.

But Arlo walks off in the opposite direction, to the only other apartment on this level. I follow behind him and wait for him to unlock the door. When he opens it, he steps back, allowing me to go through first.

“Thanks,” I murmur.

It has the same layout as Kass’s place, but it looks so different. His couch is green. I’ve never seen a green couch before. I peer back at him, over my shoulder and find him discarding his coat.

Whatever I was about to say goes up in smoke becausegoddamn. I was too preoccupied with helping him sooth his burnt skin back at the community center to fully admire and appreciate his upper body with the attention it deserves. I swallow as I turn to face him. He lifts his head as he closes the door to his coat closet, meeting my hungry stare.

His lips curl. “You going to help me put this ointment on now?” he asks, holding up the tube as he approaches me.

I nod. Who needs words, they’re overrated.

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