Page 96 of Too Safe

She pops up over the back of the couch as I approach with measured strides. I’m not usually so reserved around women. I know what I like, and I’m not afraid to go after what I want.

But an overwhelming sense of caution tempers my impulses when it comes to Joey.

Probably because I know what it feels like to bask in her affection. She lights up my insides, and I swear she really sees me. On the flip side, I also know the bleakness of being out of her good graces and the pain that comes with having her ire directed at me.

Never. Again.

I’m determined to lock her down and make her mine. In any way she’ll let me.

Cohabitation in a mostly platonic situationship for the last few weeks has proven one thing over and over again: I want her. And now I’m determined to do whatever it takes to make that happen.

“Let’s watch something funny,” she suggests, stretching her arms overhead in a move that puts her T-shirt-clad tits on full display.

She side-eyes me and winks, proving she knows exactly what she’s doing. Little minx.

“Stupid funny, rom-com funny, or stoner funny?”

Her face screws up in the cutest way as lets out a hum. “My favorite movie is actually a combo of all three.”

My heart rate ticks up a notch, and I prowl closer. “Are you kidding me right now?”

“No,” she insists, wearing a puzzled frown as she follows my movements.

Snagging the remote, I plop down on the couch cushion beside her. Like I said: I know what I want, and I’m done waiting.

Without a second’s hesitation, I pick up her hand and lace our fingers together. She squeezes in response, making me woozy with anticipation.

I grin. “I can only think of, like, four movies that encapsulate all three of those categories. And one of them just so happens to bemyfavorite movie.”

She narrows her eyes and searches my face. “Did it come out in the mid-2000s?”

“Yep.”

“Is it set in Hawaii?” she challenges, a smug look on her face like she’s bested me.

I can’t fight back my smirk.

“It is.”

Her eyes practically double in size, and she gives me a slow blink. “You’re kidding me. You’re kidding, right?” In this moment, she’s happier than I’ve ever seen her.

I love this side of her. I love that I can bring about this kind of reaction.

“There’s no way we have the same favorite movie.”

“What if we do?” I challenge.

She stares at the blank screen for a moment, contemplating, then shrugs. Turning toward me, she cuddles closer, leaning against my arm until I can smell the sweet floral scent of her shampoo.

Batting her lashes, she looks up at me with big doe eyes and declares, “Then I guess it means we’re soul mates.”

She’s teasing me. I know that. But a little spark of hope still flares inside me, and I swear my heart feels like it’s beating double time.

“Say the name of the movie on three,” I instruct.

She nods, then we count together:

“One, two, three.”

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