I nod, though I know how gross it all sounds. Who shares deodorant?
She pushes me aside, butting in front of me and heading to the bathroom. Opening my cabinet, she reaches up, grabbing the new container. My backstock. The one I keep in there just in case I run out. She turns and smiles up at me mischievously. “I’ll be taking this.”
She waves it in my face, teasing me. Without thinking. I snatch it up and hold it over my head. “Pay the toll.”
“What?”
Immediately, I feel gross.Wrong.Who am I? I’m not the guy who does this.
Pay the toll?
The guy who seeks out an opportunity and takes advantage of someone else’s desperation. Thinking better of it, I lower my arm, handing the stick of deodorant to a relieved Avery. She rolls her eyes and pushes past me to leave. I trail behind her, trying to keep my eyes on the swish of her ponytail instead of the sway of her hips. As she reaches my doorframe she turns to me, gazing up into my face.
“You look good, by the way.” I clear my throat. “Pretty. You look really pretty.Arereally pretty.”
Her lips pinch and twist into a smile that knocks the wind out of me.
“And you can keep the deodorant.”
“Thanks, Ty.” She hesitates.
I’d say it’s awkward, but it isn’t. It’s Avery. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about her since she moved in before August, it’s that awkward to be around is the last way I’d describe her. Avery has become an unexpected comfort.Dollyboy has too. In fact, as much as I miss Maggie and hate that she decided not to stay with me, Avery is a welcome sub-in for her. More than welcome.
Avery’s chest heaves as she sucks in a deep breath, her eyes searching mine. I swallow hard, allowing myself to follow her cues. Which seem to be all green lights, directing me to do exactly what I want to do. She presses her back against my door as I lean over her, my arm framing her in.
“You’re welcome,” I reply.
She bites her lip, and that’s all it takes. Avery’s hand opens, dropping the deodorant to the floor before snaking around my neck and pulling me in.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
AVERY
Ty tastes betterthan I remember. Better than anything I’ve ever tasted. Just like last time, I can’t resist. Maybe it’s knowing that we’re the only ones in on this secret. Maybe it’s that Larissa is just down the hall and could come searching for me at any moment. Though I’m not sure why she would. The thoughts mixed with the pressure of Ty’s warm lips are exhilarating.Intoxicating.His freshly shaven face is deliciously smooth against my skin as his kisses intensify.
My mouth is desperate for him as my lips find his, locking him in with everything I can spare. When his eyes close and those tawny lashes fan over his cheeks, I grasp the hem of his t-shirt, tugging him down to meet me. He lets out a little grunt, and for a split second, his teeth rub against my lip. He’s smiling.
“Easy,” he rasps, pulling away. He kisses my jaw, and I suck in a deep breath neither of us can ignore. “Do youknow how many times I’ve thought about doing this again?”
Warmth surges through me, pooling low in my belly as my fingers rake up his back and through his hair. Sucking his bottom lip between my teeth, I feel five firm pressure points pressing into the small of my back. I let myself get lost in the moment, enjoying every aspect of Ty once again.
The last time we were this close was the masquerade, when I couldn’t quite bring myself to make a move. It’s only been a handful of days, but I’ve missed him every single one. When it comes to Ty, I’ll always need more. Every time we’re alone, the urge to fling myself at him is stronger than the last. If I don’t move out of here soon, I don’t know what will happen. Even if it truly is self-sabotage, why can’t I enjoy it just a little?
Softly, I kiss him, slowing us both down before I can finally pull myself away. Ty’s mouth chases mine, our kisses lightening until they part.
He presses his forehead to mine, his voice husky. “Was this time not a mistake?”
My pulse spikes higher than a fan kick on game day. As much as my brain is screaming to sayyes, it absolutely is, I can’t. Because I like kissing Ty too much.
So instead of answering, I press a much more chaste kiss to his soft lips, my voice lowering to a whisper. “Thanks for the deodorant. I’ll see you later.”
I drop to the floor and grab said deodorant before fumbling for the doorknob behind me. Ty’s hooded gaze follows me out into the hall as the door shuts between us. I float back to my bedroom on a cloud of confusion. As absolutely elated as I am that we just went round two,whydidI do that? Why did I kiss him again? What’s he thinking right now?What have I done?
I try to collect myself as I open the door and meet Larissa. Pressing my lips into a tight line, I find my way to the vanity mirror, hoping she can’t see just how pink my mouth is.
“Where’d you go?” Larissa asks.
My heart beats out of my chest. How long was I gone?
