I can’t help but laugh.
Ben slides a hand through my hair, letting his fingers toy with the brand-new purple strands. “So pretty. I love it.”
“Thank you,” I say, grinning.
Ben dips his head, sealing his lips over mine. I moan against his mouth, trying to wiggle closer to him even though he damn near has me pinned to the wall. Ben pulls away, resting his lips on mine. “You’re so beautiful, Parker. Inside and out, you know that?”
My heart tumbles, and my stomach right along with it. “Thank you.”
Shaking his head, Ben smiles, and I can feel the ghost of it against my lips. “I can’t believe we’re here like this after our start.”
“Our start?”
“Our failed hookup. I was fully content to be your friend, but I’m so glad I won you over.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, yeah. You got me caught.” Smirking up at him, I raise an eyebrow. “Now what are you gonna do with me?”
Leaning down, he grips my thighs, lifting me and pinning me to the wall, much like he did the first time we were here. He drops me a bit, lining me up so he can thrust his hardening cock against mine. “I guess I’m gonna have to keep you,” he whispers.
“Oh? You guess? Tough decision, I’m sure.”
He kisses me gently, taking his time to explore my mouth. His fingers tangle in my hair as he cradles my body close to his. It’s something I’ve noticed he does a lot. This. Taking his time. Making me feel wanted and cared for.
When he breaks the kiss, he brushes my nose with his. “No. Not a tough decision at all.” He gasps. “Wait a second.”
“For what?” I ask.
“You’ve shown us your art.”
I scrunch my nose up, confused. “Uh, yeah? A bunch, actually.” Hell, two nights ago, he and Landon sat behind me in the living room, studying while I was painting.
“I want to see the sketch you did of me.”
I laugh. “Alright.”
“Wait, really?”
I nod. “Yeah, why not? It’s not like my art’s much of a secret these days. At least, not where you and Lan are concerned.”
He beams at me, his smile so bright and joyful that my heart nearly explodes. “Okay, I’d love to see it then.”
He stares at me, and I stare at him, and after a few seconds, I grin. “You’ll have to put me down first. I’m good, but I’m notmaterialize a sketch with my mindgood.”
With a laugh, he carefully slides me down his body, steadying me when my feet hit the ground. I take his hand, leading him into my bedroom.
My sketchbook is in my bag. I don’t use it as much as I probably should, but paint is my favorite medium by far, and I find myself gravitating to that more than anything else.
Digging it out, I open it. The paper is detached and stuffed in the front where I shoved it after Landon knocked it out of my hand. I try handing it to Ben. He holds eye contact for a second, then takes it from me and looks at it.
I can’t help but smile when his lips quirk up. “This is really good, Cotton Candy.”
“I’m not Cotton Candy anymore,” I argue, my stomach going hot at the honest compliment and the reverence in his tone as he said it.
“You’ll always be Cotton Candy to me. I already told you that.” He lifts his gaze from the drawing, locking eyes with me. “Or I can call you baby instead.”
My heart thumps hard. “Ew. That’s gross.”
“Is it?” Ben asks, quirking an eyebrow.
