Page 54 of Bad Reputation

He opens his eyes, his dark gaze pinning me. “It definitely wouldn’t be weird. I would have asked you to be my girlfriend sooner or later, officially.”

He props himself up on one hand, leaning forward to kiss me ever so slowly. My heart rate goes through the roof.

“Yeah?” I ask, feeling needy and pathetic. The part of me that worshipped Jameson for so long can’t believe that I’m here right now, having this conversation with him.

He chuckles. “Yes. I feel…” He clears his throat, sobering. “It feels like we are more than boyfriend and girlfriend, though. There isn’t a word for what we are, I feel like. I’m… I’m not even sure how this happened, to tell you the truth.”

I kiss him, tasting the salt on his lips. “We’ll have to make up a word, maybe.”

His eyes crinkle. “Yeah.”

“I’ll work on it,” I promise, snuggling closer.

He doesn’t say anything, just holds me close. And that is plenty for me right now.

20

Jameson

Iworked late last night, which means that Emma spent the night in my bed. I wake up early the next morning and leave her sleeping peacefully in my bed, the sun only just creeping in the window. I spend a long while looking through my realtor’s website, looking at prices and saving the properties that I like.

I might not be buying this house with Asher, but Forest did light a fire under my ass. Real estate is the way of the future, it seems. So I talked with a realtor about a week ago, and now she has me on her website, trying to figure out what I want.

I want at least two bedrooms. One for me, one for guests, or maybe an office. Also, I’d like a nice yard, big enough that I can grill in. Big enough for a nice swing set, some day in the distant future.

It seems kind of weird to be planning for something years ahead of time, but I’m doing it anyway. When I finally get a list of places that I want to see together, I email them to my realtor. Almost instantly, she responds asking if I have time to see them today.

Today? I try not to panic. I mean, I do have the day off today. All I was going to do was try to convince Emma to surf. I think about it for a minute, then put my laptop aside.

Heading back to my bedroom, I creep in. Emma stirs in the bed, her long dark hair splayed out on her pillow. For a moment, I admire her dark lashes against her pale cheek, the soft petal pink of her lips.

I sit down beside her, and the movement makes her open her eyes a little. She sees me, and she smiles. Something stirs deep inside me, something raw and emotional.

“Hey you,” she whispers.

“Hey.” I lean down to kiss her, and she rises to meet my lips.

After a moment, she breaks away. “Is there a reason why you are already up?”

The corner of my mouth lifts. “Yeah, actually. How do you feel about looking at houses today?”

She seems surprised. “You mean, houses for you?”

“For me to buy,” I clarify. “And live in.”

Emma sits up. “I had no idea that you were even looking.”

“I’m not, but I think I should change that.” I glance at the sheet that she has tucked under her arm, to protect her modesty. It’s barely hanging on. I tug it just a little, and I’m rewarded by seeing her full, pert breast.

“Jameson!” she scolds, plucking at the sheet.

I reach out and cup her breast, my fingers finding the nipple and tugging it gently. She looks irritated, but her nipple pebbles under my touch. When I bend down and take that pouty pink nipple in my mouth, she makes a soft sound.

Her fingers find my hair, playing with it lightly as I abrade her nipple with my tongue. Her eyes close part of the way.

“You are so bad,” she says.

I suck on her flesh just a second longer, then release her. I left a nice bright pink mark on her areola, which I like seeing.

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