So Toxic(Bad Boy Next Door Book 4)(100)
My cheeks heat, but I brazen it out. “Touché. But I wasn’t really thinking about your beard at that point.”
“What were you thinking about?”
“Oh, you know…the laundry, the chipped paint on my nails, my next gynecological visit…” A grin sneaks up on me before I can stop it.
He grabs his chest. “Ouch!”
“You’ll have to find someone else to feed your enormous ego.”
“But it’s hungry.” He pokes his bottom lip out in a pout.
“My back is permanently bent from shoveling shit into a man’s ego reservoir.”
“Your ex?”
I nod. “I’m done with that crap.”
After we finish our pizza, I wipe the corners of my mouth and drop my napkin onto my plate. “That was good. Probably better than my burger.”
“And the super cheesy fries?”
“No. Never better than my super cheesy fries. Those are delicious. My. Favorite. Food. Ever.”
“Want to know what my favorite snack is?” His eyes gleam with mischief. “As a matter of fact, I think I’d like to have some for dessert tonight.”
My pussy heats and throbs. “I’m sure I could guess. But I won’t bother. We’re strictly neighbors, remember?”
“I remember. What difference does that make? We are talking about food here, right?” He lifts one eyebrow. “At least I was. You, on the other hand—I get the feeling you’re thinking about something else entirely.”
I’m going to have to spell it out for him. “You know, sex between us is off the table.”
He glances down. “So the floor then? Or maybe a sofa?”
“Kitchen counter—”
“So there’s a chance?”
Not on my life, buddy. “About as much as a snowflake surviving a frying pan.”
Adam grabs my edge of the table and swings out of his side of the booth and around into mine.
He comes close so his breath warms my ear. “All evening, all I’ve been able to think about is your mouth.”
“My mouth?” I reach up to touch my lips. “Is there something on it?”
“Not yet.” He tips my chin up and lays his mouth over mine.
It’s warm and firm and just as I remember it. He nibbles the edge of my lower lip. I snatch a breath, and he moves in closer, his leg pressing mine under the table, his tongue teasing the seam of my mouth, seeking entry.
The feel of his tongue sends heat to my pussy and makes me want to melt into him. To let him in and taste him. To allow myself some pleasure in life beyond what’s good for me. Adam’s definitely not good for me.
He slides his hand up to cup my jaw and pulls back to look at me. “Not going to kiss me back?”
My body sinks into my seat, suddenly weighing me down as my shoulders slump. “I want to. I do. But I’d better not.”
His thumb glides across my cheek. “Why?”
“This isn’t supposed to be a date, remember?”
“So? Do we have to be on a date for me to kiss you?”
God, why does this have to be so difficult?
I slide my hands to his chest and put just a little pressure on his pecs. He leans back, but his attention doesn’t waver.
I lick my lips. “I think we should just keep things strictly friendly. We’re on two different playing fields. I can’t do casual. And from the bit of conversation I overheard the other day, I get the impression that you only do casual.”
Fuck.
I was afraid that’s why she hit the pavement so quickly that morning.
“So, you just want to be friends?”
“Yeah. Neighbors. Friends. I just think it’s best this way.” Her chest rises and falls as she inhales and slowly exhales.
Reluctance?
I move back to my side of the table and grab the check waiting on its corner.
“Okay. I can respect that.” I don’t understand it, but I’ll do my best to respect it.
Though I’m not sure how good my best is.
Later, I pull into my garage and cut the engine.
At her front door, she fidgets with her keys as though she has something to say.
Fidgeting is good. It means she doesn’t want to walk away from me.
I don’t want to walk away from her either. So I’ll try again, but more subtly this time.
I graze my knuckles along the side of her arm, barely touching her silky skin. “I was thinking maybe we can be friends that kiss. You know, just every now and then.”
She rolls her eyes, but a small smile plays at her lips. “Friends that kiss? Is that like fuck buddies, only not quite as involved?”
“Face it, Beautiful Girl. I’m never going to look at you and not think about kissing you—about how you came apart at the seams in my arms. Attracted and aroused is my default when it comes to you. Of course I want to kiss you. I’m always going to want to kiss you. Always.”