I felt the same way about Juke. There was a comfort level between us that made being with him easy. Somehow, we usually gravitated toward each other at events. More often than not, we’d ended up partners during game nights. On bowling league nights, he always bought my French fries. Sitting in silence with him, laughing at everything or nothing, or even playing darts on a busy night at the bar felt normal. It felt right.
“Even though I value our friendship,” he continued, “I think it’s pretty clear that I don’t havejust friendsfeelings for you.”
“I think we’re on the same page.”
“Alright. You go.”
I lifted one shoulder. “Since we’re being honest, I’ll just say that I’ve never had a great relationship. There was always something holding me back. I realize now, it was me. I just let things happen, even if I didn’t like it.”
I worked through my senior prom because my boyfriend thought he could do better and asked my nemesis instead. My college boyfriend revealed he was gay after we’d dated for two years. I smiled through that heartbreak and had even hooked him up with his current husband. My first orgasm came courtesy of a sex toy—at age twenty-two. Never mind I’d been having sex for years with my small-dicked fiancé who’d slut-shamed me for wanting to try a position other than missionary.
“I don’t want to live that way anymore,” I continued. “At all. When I met you, I immediately felt a connection. I want to explore that.”
“I like that. Now…” My gaze dropped to his hands, which were slowly inching up my legs. When he reached my thighs, he tugged me even closer, until I was nestled betweenhislegs. His tongue darted out to moisten his lips. I was transfixed on the motion. “Allergic reaction aside, I’m thinking it might have been a good thing that we didn’t take things too far.”
“A good thing?” I asked, my eyes still glued to his mouth.
“Admittedly, I’m a little old-fashioned in some ways.”
I forced my gaze away from his mouth to his eyes. “So, what does that mean exactly?”
“It means…” He traced my bottom lip with his tongue. “I don’t know if I could have stopped myself from stripping you naked and letting you throw yourself on my dick. Since you meant that shit,” he added. “And I always want to give you what you want.”
Oh shit. I dug my nails into his arms. A nervous giggle burst from my mouth. “I was definitely irritated when I said that.”
“But I would like to take you out on a proper date before I…”
“Make me come?” I giggled when his eyes widened. “I’m kidding.” I wasn’t.
“Right.” He arched a brow, like he didn’t believe me. “So when you get back from visiting your mother, I’m taking you out. Just me and you. Dinner. Dessert.”
“After dessert?” I whispered.
“Breakfast, too.” Juke nipped my chin, before pulling me onto his lap for a kiss.
My heart pounded in my ears as he worked his magic with his talented lips, winding me up until I couldn’t feel anything but him. He brushed his lips across my collarbone up to my ear.
“We need to stop,” he murmured.
I leaned back. “Are you sure?”
He smirked. “Not really.”
Groaning, I slid off of his lap and took a few deep breaths. The braids in my hair prevented me from pulling it out, but I mimicked the action anyway. “You’re killing me.”
He stood, grabbing the hem of my shirt and tugging me back to him. “Believe me, I want this. Not in the middle of the bar, though.”
“Fine.” I pouted. “By the way, I’m not sex-crazed or anything. You’re just hot.”
Juke barked out a laugh. “You’re funny.”
I rolled my eyes. “I guess.” Stepping on the tips of my toes, I kissed him. “I better go.”
He picked up my coat. “Okay.” Stepping behind me, he held it open until I slid my arms in the sleeves. When I turned around to face him, he zipped my coat up and put my hat on my head.
“Thanks.” I grinned up at him. “You’re such a gentleman.”
He scratched his ear. “Sometimes.” He winked.
