He shrugs. “How many chips did I just eat?”
“That many enemies? That’s not exactly comforting.”
He shoots you a smirk. “Why? You afraid, little human? Don’t worry about me.”
“It’s notyouI’m worried about.”
“No?” He crosses the room, slinging an arm around your shoulders. He’s freshly showered, and he smells good. Waytoogood. There’s a comforting warmth emanating from him, something you can’t quite place. It makes you want to breathe in.
Maybe it’s the magic.
Or it’s your detergent, because he’s wearing your largest pair of sweatpants and an old black T-shirt you found in one of your drawers. It was the best you could do, considering he didn’t exactly appear with a backpack full of clothes. And you weren’t going to just let him hang out around your apartment forever without ever taking a shower.
And…strangely, the outfit actually looks good on him.Somehow.
Though you’re still going to have to buy him some more man clothes. Or maybe magic them up—if only you knew how to do that on command.
He feels strangely comforting at your side, the strength of his arm around you like a shield, the heat of his body melting through your fear. “Don’t worry, little human,” he says. “Just stay close to me, and you’ll be fine.”
He slides his arm off your shoulders, tilting your jaw up toward him as he leans in. Heat prickles under your skin.
He’s so close, he could kiss you.
Is he just messing with you again? Surely he is.
He’s smirking confidently, like he’s just playing around. Like hewantsyou to think he’s about to kiss you. But…two can play at that game.
13
Stealing the Hot Guy’s Name
You
Two can play at that game.
He’s so close, smirking as he holds your jaw with one hand. Like he might kiss you.
He’s definitely just trying to tease you. You’re sure of it.
So maybe it’s time you tease him back.
Before he can drop the act and pull away, you lean forward, pressing your lips to his.
His eyes widen momentarily, and you’re expecting him to jump back. To ask what the hell you’re thinking.
But he just rolls with it, smirking into your mouth as he threads one hand into your hair and pulls your face harder to his. Kissing you with wide, glinting eyes. Kissing you like it’s a dare. A challenge.
So you stare back, kissing harder. It’s a strange sort of battle, and he deepens the kiss, his tongue working against yours as he parts your lips, pulling you closer against him.
He picks you up off the chair, and you wrap your legs around his waist as he lifts you in the air.
Somewhere in the back of your mind, a little voice of reason is still saying,this was supposed to be a joke.
Shush, little voice. Let it happen.
Hot Book Guy’s eyes flash with golden magic, electricity sizzling through your lips, a spark echoing between you. Maybe this is the bond forged by whatever magic is linking you together.
And…there…
