“Because I haven’t met any I wanted to cook for—til now.”
“Why me?”
“Because I like your smart ass…and your pretty smile.” He kept his grin. “Did you pick a movie?”
Blythe hadn’t even looked. She was too busy thinking about his flirting and allowing her intrusive thoughts to ruin the moment, so she forgot all about the binder.
“That's okay,” he said, narrowing his eyes at her. “I already had one in mind.”
Justin started flipping through the sleeves and stopped when he landed on the gem he was searching for.
“Win a Date with Tad Hamilton.” He waved the DVD in the air and reached to open the movie player.
He keeps rom coms? No way is this guy for real.
“You cool with this one?” He looked back over his shoulder, no doubt hoping he’d made the right choice.
“Oh, I love it! I’m impressed you even know this one.” Her laugh was girlish, and she covered her smile with her finger tips.
He cleared his throat. “What? Can’t a guy enjoy a good chick flick now and then?”
Blythe was enjoying watching him be uncomfortable for once.
Justin stood and moved to the corner piece of the sectional. The pocket was big enough for two. He sat down and motioned for her to slide in next to him. She paused a second—not because she didn’t want to. She really did. But snuggling on a couch was intimate. Was she really ready for that?
Whatever.Screwit.
She swiftly turned around, sat where he patted his hand, and snuggled into him. She watched Justin reach and grab theblanket he kept hanging over the back of the couch, then spread it over them.
“How’s this?” He re-situated his arm around her.
“Perfect.” The word was breathy as she said it.
“You’re not going to fall asleep on me, are you?” he asked, lifting an eyebrow.
Blythe was notorious for falling asleep during movies. She paused and blew out what air she had left in her lungs—her lips flapping as it exited her mouth.
“Of course not. I love this movie. I’m totally awake—and we have popcorn with all this chocolate mixed in. I’ll be on a sugar high in about ten seconds…”
She could tell he wasn’t convinced.
JUSTIN
Twenty minutes in, she was out. Justin looked down at her asleep on his chest. He watched her frame rise and fall in rhythm with his own breathing. He’d never been drawn to a woman like he was now. She fit perfectly, tucked into his side. She smelled like vanilla and sugar—how fitting.
Justin traced her face with his thumb and when he got to her chin, he couldn’t help noticing how plump and sweet her lips were. The thought of his lips on hers earlier in the week flashed through his mind, and he shoved it back. He could kiss her again now, but how would that look? She was asleep… He could bequick and tender. But what if she woke up? Then he would just look like the freak kissing her while she was unconscious.
Damnit. He was trapped, too. There was no freaking way he was getting off that couch without waking her up, and he really just wanted to stay where he was. He tried to adjust as much as he could, but in the end, he simply pulled her in closer. Her forehead was next to his face. Without thinking, he kissed her there and let his lips linger.
He closed his eyes, lost in his thoughts. He wanted her to know that good men still existed. He existed.
Knowing Blythe was like finally tasting flavor in his food. Having her there with him made him feel like he’d lived his entire life bland.
She let out a contented sigh and snuggled into him deeper. He could do this for the rest of his life. He could doherfor the rest of his life. She felt like springtime after a hard winter; like a cloudless night sky with millions of stars. She felt like the piece of his heart he never knew was missing—slipped right back into place.
Sun was shining through the decorative window, high on the back wall of the main living room, hitting Blythe right in the face. She squinted and blinked—not completely sure where she was. Then it all started coming back to her, and she sat up straight. Justin was sleeping like a rock. His tousled hair only added to his appeal. She shook her head and quietly snuck off the couch. She needed to find her phone and call Chris to apologize for not coming home.
How had she fallen asleep? She huffed a sigh. Who was she kidding? She’d fallen asleep during the previews most of her life.
