AllFreeNovel
Share Us
ChapterThirteen
I didn’t seeArlo over the weekend even though he asked me to. I was a little overwhelmed by everything we did on Friday, and I needed time for processing.
I’ve had boyfriends, admittedly not many, and they never lasted very long after realizing my sisters weren’t joking about denutting them if they hurt me. But things always moved a lot slower, physically, than they have already with Arlo.
That’s not to say I didn’t love every second of it. Because I one thousand percent did. And I’ve replayed it in HD in my head several times since he dropped me home. It just feels like so much so soon.
It takes me time to be comfortable with new people, but I was super comfortable with him on Friday. The nervous energy that buzzed through my body was exciting instead of anxiety-inducing. And other than the coffee thing, I didn’t accidentally hurt him or anyone else.
Knowing there was no point in trying to be cooler or smoother than I am, seeing as he already experienced me at my worst felt great. I was able to talk to him and just be me. We texted all weekend, and he FaceTimed me last night while he was getting ready for bed. I am now abigfan of FaceTime.
This morning he texted to let me know he was on his way to Perky’s, and as luck would have it, so were we. As soon as Ariel puts her truck in park, I’m out the door and striding into Perky’s with an extra bit of pep in my step.
Arlo stands just inside the door, hands in his pockets, waiting for me. His eyes light when they land on me, and a wide smile spits his lips. “Morning,” he says in a deep gravelly tone that reminds me of the way he said other much less innocent things on Friday.
“Hi,” I say, stepping into his personal space.
He lifts a hand to my cheek, running the pad of his thumb over my bottom lip. “I’ve thought of nothing but these lips for the last three days,” he murmurs. “Can I kiss you, Kida?”
I love that he asks, and I push up onto my toes, wrapping my arms around his shoulders so I can lick that cupid’s bow I like so much. “Sure,” I say, smiling brightly.
He chuckles and releases my cheek to put his arms around my waist, then dips his head and captures my lips in a heated kiss. I close my eyes and sag against his firm chest as my fingers play with the stands of hair at the base of his neck. A girl could get used to this.
When he pulls away, he brushes an extra kiss to my forehead, then my crown, before stepping back and lacing our fingers. He tugs me into the coffee queue then asks, “So, what have you got happening at work today? Are you even allowed to tell me?”
“I’m trying to track down the guy I mistook you for. He was supposed to be a quick and simple retrieval but turns out he’s a slippery little bastard.”
Arlo grins down at me. “It’s funny hearing you call someone little. What are you, five-foot-neat?”
“Five-one, thank you very much.” I elbow his ribs.
He chuckles, tugging me into his side, then he drops an arm over my shoulder and kisses the top of my head again, murmuring, “And full of fire.”
“Wouldn’t have survived growing up if I wasn’t. Hell hath no fury like a house full of hormonal teenage girls, let me tell you.”
“I believe you,” he assures me.
The line moves quickly, and soon we’re standing by theHe’s a ten but… table. I love it. Perky updates it every Sunday night, and I usually end up buying at least one from the selection each week. I smirk up at Arlo as his gaze skims the new display. “Have you picked up any from this table before?”
His brown eyes dart to mine, and he nods. “Umm… yeah, I have.”
“Which one?” I ask, desperate to know.
Arlo clears his throat and averts his eyes. “The ah, double dicked purple alien one that was on here a couple of weeks ago.”
I choke on a laugh. “Really? I… That’s unexpected. Have you read it yet?”
He nods again, seemingly more relaxed now. “Yep, and it was actually really good. It had brilliant world building and a solid cast of characters.”
“Do you have any idea how attracted I am to you right now?” I say, eyeing him with a salacious grin. “There’s nothing hotter than a guy who reads. Except a guy who proudly reads romance.”
He smirks. “At least I’ve got that going for me then.”
“Oh, you’ve got more than that. It’s just the cherry on top of the cake.”
“The cheesecake?” he asks, his smile now mirroring mine.
I nod. “Oh yeah, I’d even go as far as to say the chocolate cheesecake.”
