Page 66 of The Other Room

“Matt!” She laughed and swatted my shoulder. “I have to shower!”

“Grrr. Fine. But I get you the second you get off work. Deal?”

“Deal.”

She started to get up, but I held her tight. “Wait. One more requirement to our deal before I let you go.”

“What’s that?”

“A date.”

“Huh?”

“Tonight, I’m taking you on a date. A real one. A real couple date.”

“Matt, we don’t need a date. Dates are for getting to know each other before we get to this part... the sex, video games, and Netflix and chill nights. We’re already there!”

“Nope.” I shook my head and squeezed tighter. “We are a couple now, and couples go on dates. Tonight, it’s you and me, romance all the way. If we’re going to start this thing, we’re going to do it right... not just add sex to what we already have. I say dinner at The Boathouse. We’ll sit up on the flybridge and watch a spectacular sunset, have cocktails, and indulge in those lobster rolls I keep hearing about and have yet to try.”

Narrowing her eyes, she pressed her lips together. “I have wanted to try the lobster rolls.”

“Lobster rolls, mojitos, a gorgeous sunset... this guy.” I waved a hand over my chest. “Date night. Deal?”

She chewed on her cheek and then nodded. “Deal.”

“Yes!” I grabbed her face and pulled her down for a kiss.

“Okay,” she mumbled against my mouth. “I have to shower.”

“Fine,” I breathed against her. “Abandon me. Go on.”

“I’ll be counting the seconds until I can be back in your arms.” She pressed her face against my chest, then stiffened. “Are you wearing my deodorant?”

“What?” I said, stalling.

“Um, your armpits smell like my cocoa butter scented deodorant.” She lifted her head and impaled me with a knowing stare.

A sheepish smile lifted my lips as I clenched my teeth and smiled. “Um. Maybe?”

“Matt!” She slapped my shoulder. “Gross!”

“Gross?” I huffed. “We just spent an entire night exchanging bodily fluids, but you’re grossed out by sharing deodorant?”

“Don’t use my deodorant! There’s probably like, armpit hair in it now.” She pulled a face.

“I ran out! And I was so freaked out about confessing my love for you last night I didn’t want to be seducing you in a pool of sweat, so I may have...” I shrugged, “you know, used yours.”

“Get your ass to the Piggly Wiggly today and get your own damn deodorant!” She laughed. “We are going to share a lot of things now that we’re together, but deodorant and toothbrushes will never be on that list. Deal?”

Chuckling, I sniffed my armpit. “It does smell pretty good, though.”

“Matt!”

“Deal!” I laughed and yanked her back down for a kiss.

She pecked me one last time and then stood. The sight of her naked body sent blood racing back down below.

“You’d better hurry up out of here if you don’t want me to pull you back into this bed.”