And since he’s being all shy about it, it’s up to me to make things happen. It’s the least I can do. For someone who seems so in control all the time, he almost seems shy tonight.
Lucky for him, I’m anything but timid when it comes to sex. At least, I hope that still applies, given that it’s been… well, it’s been a while. Work, school, and living with my parents don’t pair well with a hook-up lifestyle.
“I’ll be right back,” I say, pushing myself off his oversized sofa. “Bathroom.”
“You want me to pause it?”
“Nah, I’ve seen it before.” Probably fifty times. I could recite the thing by heart if needed. I hear him huff in the background. I can’t help but snicker thinking about him watching the cartoon by himself.
In the bathroom, I dig through the cabinet for the mouthwash I know is there, having used it during my previous stay. If I’m going to make a move, it’s going to be with fresh breath. The flavor he has is terrible, some invigorating mint bullshit that makes my mouth burn, but at least I no longer taste like mashed potatoes. Not the best first impression.
I flush the toilet and turn on the faucet, in case he’s listening, before returning to the living room. When I sit, I make sure to slide myself closer, leaving a sliver of space between us. Matthias tenses for a second, and I fear I’ve misjudged the situation. Before I can react, he relaxes his shoulders and sighs. As he releases a breath, his legs fall open enough that he’s touching me. It takes all the self-control I can muster not to suck in a breath at the contact, instead trying to pass itoff like it’s no big deal.
But. Oh. My. God.Matthias is touching me. And woah, it lights up every fiber in my body. I try to pretend I’m watching the show since it’s my pick, but I can’t keep my eyes off of the spot where we’re connected.
Step one of my poorly formed plan is complete. Somehow, I need to get from here to the next step, which involves kissing. There may be a few details missing in the execution. Basically, I’m winging it.
“Frank?”
“Yeah?”
“Are you okay?” There’s a hint of worry in his voice.
“Yeah, why?”
“You’ve been fidgety ever since you got back from the bathroom.” Myseduce Matthiasplan now has him worried that I’m in some sort of GI distress. Not sexy.
“Restless, I guess.” Somehow, I doubt that’ll be enough for him to drop it.
“Do you want to watch something else?” He turns toward me, his deep green eyes examining me closely, probably still worried I’m about to be sick on his spotless sofa. “Or we don’t have to watch anything.”
It’s a tiny opening, but I’m taking it. “What would we do instead?” I lick my lips, hoping he can take a hint.
“Whatever you want. I have a couple of board games and anXbox, though—”Nope, can’t take a hint. I don’t wait for him to finish explaining the entertainment system, instead launching myself into his lap. Subtle? Nope, but that’s never been my style.
As soon as I’m close enough, I press my lips to his, going slow in case he wants to shove me off. Matthias’s lips are pillowy soft, but the rest of him is stiff beneath me—and not in the good way. For a second, I’m sure I’ve misjudged the whole situation. I’m ready to pull back, apologize profusely,and make a run for it when he relaxes, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me tight against him like he never wants me to leave.
Please don’t want me to leave.
When he licks along the seam of my lips, I’m more than happy to open to him. Despite the urgency coursing through my system, Matthias stubbornly stays gentle, exploring my mouth slowly and deliberately. It’s only when I desperately need air that I let myself pull back at all.
“Frank.”
Oh God, I know what comes after my name. Discussions of how we can’t do this, why it’s not a good idea. And likely some version of “it’s not you, it’s me.” I’m not sure I can take any of those things right now. Once again, I’m in his living room wishing a wormhole would open and swallow me up, whisk me off to some strange planet.
“Look at me, Firecracker.”
Firecracker.He called me that once before. As far as nicknames go, it’s not the worst. If he’s calling me that, it can’t be all bad. Right?
I meet Matthias’s gaze, his eyes big, pupils blown. Even in this position, with me on his lap, our height difference is still noticeable. Is it wrong to love it? I don’t think I’ve ever found being short quite so sexy. It’s something about the way he towers over me. Instead of feeling silly or threatened, I feel safe.
“Frank, what do you want?”
What do I want? I want him to take me to his bedroom and have his way with me until I can’t remember my name. More than once, preferably. I can’t say that, though. Right? “You.” It’s the one word my brain can settle on.
MATTHIAS
Frank kissing me was not on my bingo card tonight. As much as I’ve tried to keep my attraction to him at bay, his climbing into my lap and initiating contact is too much to resist. I’m not that strong. Not even close.
