Page 20 of Valkyrie Confused

I expect them to pick up the conversation as I walk away, but… nothing. When I look over my shoulder, Arnlaug’s expression is pained, which works with the rest of his stiff posture, while Panos is picking up the dirty dishes.

This won’t do. The person Book Succubus calleda romantic mastermindin her latest post, wouldn’t sit back and allow these two to drift further apart.

I spin on the ball of one foot, index finger in the air. “Actually”—I wait for Pan to face my way—“I could use your help with something. Both of you, I mean.”

Can’t say either looks interested, but they wear matching polite smiles, and I see that as an invitation to elaborate. “I have this scene coming up in my book, where the two guys kiss, but I’m not sure how to write it.” Okay, I'm totally overstepping, but I blame it on the wine.

Panos rolls his eyes. “You’re not sure how to write a kiss? And you call yourself a romance author?”

I scrunch my nose. “I’ve written my share of scenes with the heroine looking up at the hero through her eyelashes, and him encircling her waist with one arm and cupping her face with the other, but I haven’t writtenguyskissing. You know, with the similar heights and muscle mass, and the lack of learned feminine passivity?” Ah, there’s my missingyou know. I giggle before I can stop myself.

Arnlaug rubs his chin and tugs on his beard.“So you’re asking for a demonstration?” He doesn’t seem to dislike the idea.

“More like a few poses, so I can see what approach you’d take.”

Panos raises his hand, like he’s a schoolboy about to ask a question. When I nod, he says, “Have you tried watching gay porn?”

My cheeks are on fire, but I manage not to duck my head. “I don’t want something practiced for the camera.” They’re not really resisting my suggestion, but I add, “Unless…Oh God, I hope I’m not making you feel uncomfortable. I mean, I don’t expect you to actually kiss. Just… How would you close in for a smooch? If you don’t feel like doing it, it’s okay. Male-on-male porn will have to suffice.”

As I talk, Panos’s lopsided grin keeps tugging upward. He can see right through my act, and he doesn’t mind one bit. “So you wanna see how I’d grab and kiss Arnlaug?”

I nod.

“Give me a scenario. Is it a first kiss? A kiss between long-lost lovers? A teasing kiss?”

“An angry kiss.” Arnlaug stands and rounds the table, and Panos turns to face him. “Make it a kiss between two men who wanna fight as much as fuck.”

I swallow hard. “That’ll do.”Please.

I cross my arms over my chest, to hide my nipples that are threatening to tear through the fabric as Panos takes a step that brings him inches from Arnlaug’s face. Quick as a snake, his hand closes over Arnlaug’s throat.

Arnlaug takes half a step back, but Panos shoves his thigh between Arnlaug’s legs. He digs the fingers of his free hand into Arnlaug’s upper arm and tilts his face so their lips are a hairbreadth apart.

I suck in a breath, my lungs crying for air. Didn’t realize I was holding my breath. I lick my lips. They’re going to kiss, and they’re going to make up, and it’s gonna be because of me.AndI’m totally using this scene.

Panos twirls my way and gives a deep bow. “Was this what you had in mind, M’lady?”

No. “Yes.” I force my lips to curve up. “Thank you.”Damn it.

Arnlaug’s tight fists say he shares my feelings. That’s a start. “How about a gentle kiss?” he asks.

Before Panos can respond, Arnlaug tugs him back to him by a belt loop. I bite my bottom lip hard enough to hurt, as he cups Panos’s face and looks longingly into his eyes. He drops his head to nuzzle Panos’s neck, and Panos brings both hands up, to bunch them into Arnlaug’s shirt.

I can see their erections from all the way over here, by the way.

This time, theywillkiss.

“See?” Arnlaug asks. “Nothing feminine or passive about soft kisses.” He backsteps, reaches over the table for his wine, and chugs the last of it. “Anything else?”

Yes. A vibrator.

I shake my head, mutter athank-you-very-much-that-was-helpfulin a single breath, and hightail it to my apartment.

NINE

PAN

“What was that about?”I glare at Arnlaug. “What did you tell her? I thought we agreed—”

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