“You’re ridiculous,” I say, but I love his eyes on me, the appraisal and evident hunger.
“So you keep saying, and yet you’re still here. Now, grab the salmon and let’s eat.”
Eggs Benedict à la Wes turn out to be amazing, not that I had any doubts. The salmon melts on my tongue, and the eggs are cooked to perfection. I wipe my plate clean with a piece of bread, then lean back on the couch and pat my stomach. Wes laughs, setting his fork down.
“What?” I ask, leaning my head against the backrest.
“Nothing.” He shakes his head, licking his fingers clean, and suddenly I’m jealous of fingers. He scoots closer and leans in, smiling. “Better now?”
I nod. “Much better. I’ll feel even better if you kiss me.”
“Yeah?” His smile turns seductive. “Where?”
I push at his shoulder. “Jeeez, on my fucking lips!”
“Okay, okay, relax,” he laughs. “Enough with the battering. It was a legit question. You have more than one head, and they’re both obsessed with my tongue.” He demonstratively licks his lips.
“My head is obsessed with your tongue?”
“Your mouth. Whatever. You know what I mean.”
I close the gap between us and kiss him, and he hums against my lips. It’s less urgent than yesterday, like he’s kissing me with intent. His hand comes to my chin, tilting my head as he deepens the kiss. He tastes like smoked salmon and coffee, and I think it’s become my new favorite flavor. He nibbles on my bottom lip, coaxing my mouth to open further, then slides his tongue in. I’m loose and pliant in his arms, moving me whichever way he wants.
I’m starting to trust Wes. The way he reacted earlier to my budding panic attack, the way he shares parts of himself with me so easily when I give so little back in return.
Without breaking the kiss, he pushes me back on the couch. His body is heavy, and he smells so fucking good from the soap he bought yesterday. I haven’t even showered, but somehow I can’t be bothered. It feels so nice, lying here underneath him, pressed into the couch.
Eventually, he lifts himself onto his hands, looking down at me. “You in a hurry to go home?”
I brush his hair out of his eyes. “Nah.”
“You wanna hang out some more? Maybe watch something? There’s this show onHBOI’ve been wanting to watch.TaskwithMark Ruffalo.”
“I don’t know who that is.”
His eyebrows shoot to his hair. “You’re fucking kidding me.”
I laugh. “Well, duh.”
“Shit, I’m rubbing off on you.”
“Maybe later. Can I shower first?”
He smirks. “You can do whatever you want, babe.”Babe.I wait for the panic to return, but nothing happens. Wes gets up and pulls me with him. “Everything you need is in the bathroom. Just help yourself. Unless you wanna shower at your place?”
“No, here’s fine.” I don’t want to go to my place because I’ll just find a reason not to come back. Like I’ve outstayed my welcome, and I’m crowding his space. But Wes has given me no reason to believe he doesn’t want me to stay. “Do you… never mind.”
“What?”
“Do you wanna join me? In the shower?” It’s a stupid question, since he’s already showered.
He smiles, and it lights up his face in that way I’ve come to miss when he’s not around. “I’d love to.”
“Yeah?” I’m getting too attached; I know I am. It’s dangerous territory, and it’ll probably backfire, but I just like him too damn much.
“Of course.”
Chapter 15
