Page 75 of Tiger Lilies and Tight Ends

“You can come up here whenever you want,” I tell her instead.

While I already trusted her before, hearing this just confirms it. I expressed my importance for privacy in my life when she moved in, and she respected that so much, she purposely stayed out of my room. I have nothing to fear, so why do I feel like the closer we get, the constant weight sitting on my chest gets heavier?

Lily turns her head to look at me. The room is dark, but there is light coming in the window. I don’t know from where, but it’s enough to see her.

“Glad to know I’ve been given the green light to snoop through all of your things,” she teases.

“It’s only fair. I went through all of yours,” I tease back, while taking a deep breath to ease the pressure.

She gasps and sits up. “Did you really?”

I chuckle. “No, but does it matter if I do?”

“Not at all. Although I don’t think my underwear or my shoes will fit you.”

“New rule, then, underwear-free house.” My hand runs over her thigh to her ass. I give it a squeeze because finally, I can.

“So I’ve been wanting to tell you, and I wanted to tell you in person. I think I’ve decided to do the book signing.”

“Really?” I shift so I can give her my undivided attention and prop my head up on my hand. That pressure strengthens. It has to be because I’m nervous for her. I’m not nervous for me.

“Yes. It’s time. I’ve thought about it nonstop, and every time I do, I feel excitement and not dread. While keeping my face hidden has made things in the past easier, it’s also hard too. People like connecting, and I want to connect with them. The thought of being out in the world excites me more now than it scares me. I’m in a much better place than I was. A lot of that is because of you, and I just want to say thank you.”

“Lil, you don’t have to thank me. And I didn’t do anything. This is all you, and I’m proud of you. Like I said before, if you want to do this, then I support you completely. If you don’t, then it’s not the time. More opportunities will come along.”

“You’ve done more than you know.” She pushes the hair off my forehead as she looks at me. Her expression is tender and vulnerable, and it makes my heart squeeze.

“It’s all the donuts I’ve been feeding you, isn’t it?” One corner of my mouth twists up.

“I do love donuts.”

“I know you do. You always eat the whole box and don’t offer to share even one. So rude.”

She laughs. “That’s such a falsy.”

“Falsy. Is that even a word?” I tuck her hair behind her shoulder as she gazes down at me.

“It is now. You’re spreading lies and making false statements. A falsy.”

“How about this statement? I like being there for you. I like you,” I tell her. It’s something, and while I’m not spilling my guts to her about my fears or desires, it makes me feel a little bit like I’m not keeping my emotions all to myself.

Her eyes shift back and forth between mine, and then she tilts her chin.

“So you like me, Mr. Quinn?” she asks, all seductive.

I don’t say anything. Instead, I reach up and run my thumb over her nipple. Her breath catches, and it’s a sound I’ll still hear when I’m dead. It’s so sexy and innocent, but it tells me everything I need to know about how her body feels with me touching her.

Not wanting to be any farther apart, she pushes me to my back, throws her leg over mine, climbs on top, and lies down. Her head rests on my shoulder, and as she breathes, warm air floats against my neck, and her hair drapes over my shoulder. I don’t mind, though. We’ve already established that I love it, plus it smells citrusy and is so soft.

Time passes as we lie together. I drag the blankets over us and then flat-hand her back. I’m so much larger than she is, but having her on my chest, with her heart beating next to mine, might be my favorite place for her.

Instead of falling asleep, she shifts, and her lips run across my collarbone to the underside of my jaw. I can feel my stubble as it scrapes against her skin, but she doesn’t seem to mind as she kisses her way to my waiting mouth.

“For the record, I like you, too.”

I cup the back of her head and kiss her so thoroughly, there’s no confusion about what this girl does to me. I’m hard as a rock. Again.

Needing more, I palm her heavy breasts and then slide my hands to her slender waist. She rises up, positions me, and then sinks down with a moan until she’s fully seated on me. She’s so warm, soft, and still so tight. My eyes roll back in my head and shut at the sensation.