Move on?
“Hang on… Mike’s okay withwhat?”
He seemed embarrassed before admitting in a whisper, “I asked for his permission to ask you out.”
I couldn’t stop myself from grinning. “Oh, did you now?”
“Stop loving this!” he snapped, back to being angry. But I couldn’t stop smiling. I thought Pete had seen me as a big brother, or someone who saved him, not someone he wanted to be with physically. Not like I wanted him. How was I supposed to stop myself from showing just how damn happy I was?
“But Iamloving it,” I admitted, then grabbed his chin, causing him to suck in a startled breath. I watched how his eyes gleamed with excitement and wonder as I let my gaze meet his. I leaned in, closing my eyes, and then I kissed him. His soft lips met mine and I felt a rush of excitement from just the barest touch. I didn’t care that he was crying, his tears were beautiful. Like him. And oh, how right it felt kissing him.
“Please don’t tell me that was a pity kiss,” he begged, sounding so vulnerable. “If you don’t want me, just tell me.”
“Oh, I want you,” I rasped, then claimed his mouth again, this time much harder,firmer. A true claiming.
Chapter 9
Pete
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
Jackson was kissing me! I tried to ignore the cheering whoops from Berlina and just allowed myself to bask in the glory that was Jackson’s lips. I hadn’t expected this, fully prepared for him to reject me. But then… hehadn’t.
“Is this for real?” I dared ask as we broke apart for air.
He chuckled low. “I sure as hell hope so.” His hot breath made my wet lips tingle.
“But the man you left me for?”The man you picked over me.
“What about him?” he looked so confused as he searched my eyes.
I sighed with embarrassment. “Were you… did you…”
He broke eye contact and I knew. “I did. I’m sorry. I truly believed you saw me as a sort of big brother and just needed my comfort after what happened. Had I known you wanted me back…”
“Yes?”
“I would’ve never left this couch.”
I sobbed, so unbelievably happy. “You mean that?”
“Of course I do. You’re amazing, Pete. You might not have noticed, but I always paid attention to you whenever I was at your place. I found you so endearing. But I have to admit it wasn’t until yesterday that I found you…”
If almost dying was what had made Jackson pay attention to me, then I’d happily do it all over again. If I knew I wouldn’t actually die, of course.
“Sexy,” he admitted with a rough voice that was filled with need.
My surprise must have been obvious because he started laughing. “You have no idea, do you? How gorgeous you are. How sexy you look wearing my clothes.” I knew I was blushing, the heat from my cheeks was annoying as fuck. Why did he have that effect on me?
“I’ve never been called that before,” I admitted, not looking away from his gaze.
“That’s a damn shame.”
I laughed. “I don’t mind hearing it, though.” Maybe I should mention how much I loved being praised? But then that would lead to us talking about what Jackson was into, and was I truly ready for that? He’d just admitted to wanting me, and I’d told him Mike was okay with us being together. Maybe the BDSM talk could wait a little.
“I’ll tell you as often as possible, then. But maybe we should steer back to what you said about Mike and us being together.” I nodded, so he continued. “He’s cool with us? I mean, wouldn’t it weird him out? Not that I’m complaining, but this is all just so new.”
“I promised him no details and that was that,” I told him. “He um, told me you likely wouldn’t be into me.”
