Page 56 of Bad Pucking Roommate

I prop myself up so I can see his face. “You and I are nine years apart. My mom is fourteen years older than you.”

“Like I said, almost the same.” He guides my head back to his chest.

“A double-digit age difference isn’t almost the same.” I trace my finger over his firm pec.

“Nine is one year away from double digits. That’s a little too close for comfort. It makes me feel guilty.”

“Why?”

Luca stills my hand by trapping it under his own, whispering, “You know why.”

That statement lingers between us as we lay still in the dark room, listening to our measured breaths as his heartbeat thrums next to my ear.

“Do you want kids?” I break the silence.

“What? Where did that come from?”

“My parents. They were expecting me at my age, and I think I’m still too young, but you aren’t.”

“First I’m nowhere close to your mom’s age and now I’m old enough for kids,” he mutters under his breath.

“You know what I mean.” I give his nipple a little pinch, even though I can’t get a good grip with his hand covering mine.

“Do you want them?” he deflects.

“I’m not opposed, but I’m not sure that’s in my future.”

“Why?”

“You know why,” I whisper.

The silence that follows confirms that I don’t need to elaborate, although I’m not sure that’s a good thing considering we have yet to really talk about the way things are clearly evolving between us. It’spossible I completely obliterated the boundaries with that insinuation, but since I can’t take it back all I can do is hope I’ve been reading the cues correctly, and that he’s thinking along the same lines I am.

“We should get some sleep.” Luca releases my hand to give me a little pat on the butt, though instead of pulling away his land lingers, kneading and rubbing my round cheek. “This feels familiar…” He pinches the fabric of my boxers between his fingers, tugging it slightly away from my skin before letting it snap back into place. “Are you wearing my underwear?”

“Uh, maybe.” I say a little thank you that the dark room will hide my obvious blush.

“When did that start?”

“After I woke up in a pair and realized how soft they are.”

“I thought I was missing a few pairs.” Luca’s soft chuckle sends a warm shiver coursing through me, especially since he’s still gently massaging my butt.

“I probably should’ve mentioned I took some, but I didn’t want to sound like a creep.” I lift my head so he can see my face. “I’m sorry. I’ll buy my own if you tell me where you got them.”

I’m expecting Luca to be looking at me with wariness or disdain, but instead he’s smiling affectionately, his lips mere inches from my own. Suspended between desire and uncertainty. Close enough the air between us is charged, like magnets simultaneously straining toward and pushing each other away.

“I kind of like the idea of you wearing my shorts.” His voice is husky in the darkness around us. “When we get back home, I’ll take the time to admire them properly.” Bringing his hand to my face, Luca strokes his thumb over my cheek, though his touch hardly registers. I’m too conscious of his lips, so close to my own I’m afraid to breathe lest he pulls them out of reach. Or presses them against mine.

Do all lips look this soft, or just his? Wait, did he just look at mine? Ohmigosh we’re so close. Is he… Is it better to close my eyes or leave them open? Can he feel how fast my heart is beating? Should I lean in? Will he?

With a heavy sigh Luca lets his hand fall to his chest as he turns his head toward the ceiling, severing the tension between us. “When we get home, I’ll start doing a lot of things properly.”

My heart seems to pause its erratic beat, torn between disappointment and hope. I drop my head to Luca’s chest so he can’t see the mix of emotions I’m sure are written all over my face. This is the second time today we’ve nearly kissed, and part of me is crushed that it didn’t happen. Yet, his words leave me confident that it will.

I can only assume the fact that we’re at my parents’ is what’s stopping him. And I have a niggling feeling he suspects if we start kissing, we wouldn’t stop there. If I’m right about that, I can forgive his hesitation. I’d rather not have to try to explain what’s happening to my parents when we haven’t even admitted it to ourselves, and if we get carried away kissing it’d be nearly impossible to deny we’re strictly teammates.

So, despite the bone deep need I feel to press my mouth to his, I roll to my side and give him my back, and he pulls me against his chest just like he’s done the past several nights. Snug in the warmth of his arms, I give in to sleep.

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