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“Tell me you love my jokes.”
“No!”
His hand slid up, delving into the back of my neck to tickle there too. My entire body spasmed, bowing up toward him with a loud squeal.
“Ben!” I wheezed, wiggling around. My neck was so sensitive, something I hadn’t realized but he obviously did.
“Ow!” I wailed, a last effort to get him to concede.
He stopped instantly, both hands landing on either side of me, his body caging me in as he leaned in. “Jess?” Concerned eyes swept my features. “Shit, did I hurt you? Was that too much?” When I didn’t say anything, he started away. “I’ll get the nurse.”
“Wait,” I called, grabbing the hem of his hoodie. He was still wearing the green one Matt brought.
“Don’t go,” I said, tugging him again. “You didn’t hurt me.”
He rotated back, scrutinizing me. I smiled. His lips pursed, and all my attention dropped to his mouth. Desire and curiosity flared inside me. And something that felt a lot like a craving. I’d forgotten what he tasted like too. I bet he tastes better than bread.
“You playing me?” he asked, squinting.
“Hmm?” I acknowledged his words but still focused on his lips.
His hands made a soft slap against the bed when he came back over me, leaning in close enough that his scent filled my senses, renewing that gut feeling of home and safety.
“Because that right there is an actual bad joke. Making me think you need a doctor,” he scolded, going on about whatever else. Something about a Band-Aid and giving him high blood pressure.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I said, interrupting his lecture.
He stopped midsentence, and though the room was suddenly quiet, it was somehow louder than before.
The chemistry in the room welled, pushing our bodies closer together, and I became acutely aware of the way his chest rose and fell with every breath he took.
He did that eye-embrace thing again, looking at me so wholly it was like a hug, like being wrapped up in him without actual touch. I swallowed, throat tight as my fingers spider-crawled the little distance between us to finger the hem of the hoodie.
He swayed a little, his chest leaning closer, elbows bending on either side. His jaw was still scruffy. My fingers itched to rub over all that golden stubble.
“There is literally nowhere else I could be,” he murmured, voice gravelly and warm.
Fingers still itching, they took advantage of the position of his body and the way it made his hoodie drape between us to slip beneath it. They tangled mere seconds in the T-shirt but pushed beneath it too.
I heard his intake of breath. Felt his body go still.
I gazed at him shyly from beneath my lashes even as my hand grew bold. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and my stomach felt heavy as he watched me, the smolder in his eyes unmistakable. For all the tension between us, he didn’t pull away. It was almost as if he turned to granite, holding himself in place so I could avail myself of his warm skin.
And oh, it was warm. The first brush of the pads of my fingers made my teeth sink into my lip. I paused, four fingers lying against his side, flicking unsure eyes up to his. He said nothing, but I was absolutely consumed. His reaction was overwhelming, making me want even more.
Emboldened, I pushed a little closer, my entire hand curling around his side. His skin rippled, muscles contracting against my palm. He was smooth and radiated warmth that was somehow more comforting than any other heat I’d felt. Taking a chance, I rubbed a little deeper, my insides fluttering rapidly.
Curling my hand, I dragged my knuckles over his waist, moving to his abs and the defined ridges there. His breathing was heavier now, the smolder in his eyes burning me alive. I became flushed from the inside out, and my skin grew warm.
This was what I’d wanted when I slept in his arms. Even though I slept so well, I’d been restless too. I hadn’t understood why until this moment. He’d been shirtless then, but I wasn’t. And though my cheek pillowed on his chest, I’d wanted more contact. I wanted to feel his skin alive and reacting to my touch, to have my skin on his.
My finger caught in his belly button, and I paused before boldly circling it so I could delve back in.
He sucked in a breath, his body jerking. His hand found mine beneath his clothes and tugged it free. “You’re testing my patience, baby girl.”
A fissure of uncertainty created a crack in the heavy tension shrouding us.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, a little forlorn he was rebuffing me.
