He wiggled his brows and I couldn’t stop myself from giggling. Cute Harrison in his Henley was dangerous in all caps. HILARIOUS-HOT-HENLEY HARRISON.
I had to tell the girls.
Wait, no, I couldn’t. Well, maybe. I’d think about it later when my brain wasn’t spinning in circles.
“So is that a yes?” He smiled as his gaze moved across my face.
We’re talking about Christmas, not his nickname.“Assuming I can’t drive to my parents’, then yes.”
“Great!” He clapped his hands, smiling with so much joy on his face that I grinned hard.
“I don’t want you to miss time with your family, but I’m looking forward to spending the day with you at Blair’s. You’ll fit right in.” He stood and pointed to my glass. “Another? It’s going to be another cold and long night.”
Cold meant snuggles, and snuggles meant touching, and touching meant getting naked. Butterflies erupted in my stomach, and I nodded. “What the heck. Sure.”
“I do appreciate a positive attitude.”
I snorted and studied his bookshelf as he made more drinks. Maybe it was the extra layers I’d worn all day or the whiskey, but my body was much warmer than the day before. I took no shame in watching his butt as he put more wood on the fire. It was firm, like Captain America’s, and my fingers itched to squeeze it.
“Oh lord, am I tipsy? Is that why my mouth tickles?”
“Are you?” He gave me a goofy grin. “I didn’t know one drink would go to your head. Let me get you some water.”
I brought the glass to my mouth again. “I was thinking about warmth and your ass, and I realized my mind feels great.”
Once again, I’d lost my filter—this time thanks to the whiskey. It was nowhere in sight, and words flowed straight from my brain to my lips. “You were grumpy earlier. Is it always because of your family? You shouldn’t put too much stock in their opinion if it upsets you. If you’re happy with yourself, then screw the rest of the noise. To hell with them, I say!”
“Are you always this bold after one drink?” He cupped my face with one of his hands.
I beamed at him.
He chuckled, the sound deep and wonderful. “It’s kinda cute.”
“Ah, yes. A woman’s favorite word.” I jerked out of his hand and collapsed onto the mattress faceup.
“Cute.” I scoffed. “I’mcute, like a button. Not sexy, or alluring, or someone you take home to parents—because I’m a glorified babysitter for a sorority. I’m the girl who buys the Jell-O for wrestling when we’re fundraising or need money for matching shirts.Cute, as in the girl you take for happy hours and pity dates.”
A boulder lifted from my shoulders as I released all the locked-up words. Sure, he wasn’t one of the horrible dates who usedcutelike an insult, but unleashing my anger at him was invigorating.
I narrowed my eyes and pointed a finger at Harrison. “You, sir, probably don’t date thecuteladies. You date the va-va-voom ladies.”
“I have no idea what the hell ava-va-voomlady is.” He covered his mouth with his hand. “But you are incredible.”
“Does my face feel hot to you?” Sitting up, I grabbed his hand and placed it on my forehead. “I don’t know if it’s because I was thinking about squeezing your butt, or if it’s the fire, or the whiskey. I’m not sure how to figure it out.”
“You can squeeze my ass if you want, but I get a turn, too. I’m an ass-squeezing equal opportunist.” His eyes twinkled with amusement.
“Stand up and turn around,” I demanded.
“I will, but first, you should drink water and eat.” He patted my knee and twisted the cap off the water bottle. “I had no idea you were a lightweight.”
“We learn something new every day, Champ. I tell you what, I found out the other day that yonic is the female version of phallic. One of the girls put on some weird show andBam!—they were talking about vaginas. Who knewyonicwas a word? It sounds like sonic.” I shrugged and took the water from him, gulping it down and spilling a little on my chest. “Those flower vagina paintings… one could say they were yonic. Remember that if you ever need to impress someone.”
He smiled, showcasing two beautiful dimples, and I reached out and put a finger in each one. “You might be the handsomest man, Harrison Cooper.”
“You, Becca, are most definitely the most entertaining person I know. Most beautiful and least boring are up for grabs, too.” He placed his hands over mine and held them like that for a good ten seconds.
My throat closed up, and my head spun. I wanted to confess that I liked him. Like it was seventh grade and I wanted Matt to know I had a crush on him. But this was different. And weirder. We weren’t in junior high anymore, and he’d ghosted me once. He’d apologized but he didn’t date. He dated football, he’d said.
