Page 70 of Long Story Short

She lets out a soft laugh as she rests her forehead against my chest. “You’re making me blush, Tyson Bishop.”

I can’t help but laugh along with her as my hand moves without thinking. It brushes lightly over her arm, her shoulder, and then down her back. It’s slow and steady as I realize I can’t stop touching her. “Oh, does it make you blush to hear about how much I loved being able to eat your pussy?” My fingers still trail along her skin, leaving goosebumps in their wake. “Maybe you’ll blush harder when I say I already can’t wait to do it again.”

Josie presses her cheek against my chest even harder. I don’t have to be able to see her face to know the flush of her cheeks has deepened because of my words.

“Ty,” she groans, her grip around my waist tightening as she molds her body against mine.

It’s quiet for a few moments as we stand in my kitchen, both of us lost in our own thoughts. There’s something about the moment that feels incredibly intimate. There’s a softness to it I can’t explain. I didn’t know if once I finally gave in and gave her more, she’d shy away the moment it was over. I didn’t know if it’d be too much and she’d feel like retreating after finally experiencing what it’s supposed to feel like to be completely desired and worshipped the way she deserves.

Instead of pulling away, she holds on to me tightly, as if the last thing she wants to do is back away.

“You okay?” I finally ask, breaking the silence. I don’t mean just physically—I mean all of it. She hasn’t given me any indication that things aren’t fine, but something inside me still needs to hear her say it out loud.

Josie tilts her head back just enough to meet my gaze. “Yes,” she says, no hesitation in her words. “More than okay.”

Something loosens in my chest. I lift my thumb before gently brushing it along her cheekbone. My mouth hovers over hers for a moment as I give her the chance to deny the kiss. Her arousal is still on my lips, something I don’t know if she’ll want to taste or not.

She closes the distance between our mouths. This kiss is soft and tender, a smile still on both of our lips as we lose ourselves to it.

Eventually, I pull back, but I don’t go far. I stay close enough to still feel her breath against mine. “So, was that what you meant when you said you wanted more?” I ask, my words coming out clear and composed.

Her lips turn into a smile as she grabs onto the fabric of my shirt. She playfully bites her bottom lip as she nods. “Yes. That’s exactly what I meant.”

I let out a breath of relief at her words. “Good. Because I’m not even close to being done showing you what more feels like.”

THIRTY-SIX

JOSIE

I let my hand slide lower as I look at Tyson with a smile on my lips. “Does that mean it’s my turn to show you more?” I ask, my fingers drifting to the waistband of his pants.

Tyson sucks in a breath, but his fingers wrap around my wrist to stop me before I can go any further. “As much as I want that, I think the more should stop for tonight.”

My body freezes at his words as I instantly try to figure out if I did something wrong.

As if he can read my mind, his eyes go wide. “I want more. Fuck, I want more, Josie. I want it all with you, but I don’t want to take things too fast. We’ll have plenty of time for everything, and you should have the inspiration you need for now.” He rubs his lips together in an attempt to hide a smile before he winks at me. “But I do have a request for you that you can absolutely say no to.”

I try to get rid of the pit in my stomach at his denial of taking things further, instead choosing to believe his words that the only reason he’s stopping things is because he wants to take it slow. I keep my thoughts to myself, but still wish he weren’t so insistent about taking our time.

“What’s your request?” I ask, my voice quiet.

He lets out a long exhale before dragging a hand through his hair. He wears a smile that does something to my chest because of the vulnerability and softness in the way he looks at me. “Stay,” he rasps. He lets the word linger between us, simple and direct.

“What?” I ask, even though I swear I heard him perfectly.

His gaze travels over me as the corners of his mouth lift even higher. “Stay the night.”

My heart leaps in my chest as I immediately try to read into his request—into him and what he means by asking.

He cups both sides of my face, tilting my head to look at him. “I meant what I said earlier,” he says. “I don’t want to rush this. Not with you. But I don’t want the night to end either.”

It feels like my heart expands at the vulnerability of his words. It’s a sensation I’ve never felt before, but one I swear I’ve written about.

“I just…” He pauses as his blue eyes search my face. His jaw flexes slightly, as if he’s not used to having to explain himself like this. “I love being around you, Josie. I want to keep doing that tonight without rushing the other stuff between us.”

The honesty in his words—the way they get quieter the more he speaks—does something to me.

His words aren’t the smoothest or practiced, but they’re real, and that’s what matters the most.