I pulled away from her kiss and lowered her gently to the floor. “I need a second, babe.” Her chest heaved as she struggled to even out her breathing. We were both filled with want for each other, and I found some comfort in that fact.
“What’s the matter?” she asked as I stepped away from her.
“I’m not…I’m not ready for this. Between us. I just can’t go there yet.” I’d been so attracted to her since the moment I laid eyes on her, and I’d wanted to kiss her for just as long. But my willpower was only so strong and if I didn’t take a few moments, I’d throw her on the couch and lose myself to her before I took another breath.
Her face broke out into a grin. “Well, isn’t this ironic?”
“What’s that?”
“The guy telling the girl we have to slow down. That happens…oh, about, never?” When I laughed, she reached for my face, her hands cupping my cheeks as she pulled me toward her. “We’ll go at your pace,” she said in a mocking tone before planting a quick kiss on my mouth.
“Yeah, we will. You know I’m worth the wait,” I teased back.
Paige moved toward the couch and sat down before patting the cushion next to her. “We don’t have to do anything, Tatum. We can just talk, if you want.”
“I don’t want to talk, Paige. I’ve been dying to kiss you, so I plan on doing just that. And I want to do a lot of it. I just can’t go further than that with you. Not tonight. I hope you’re okay with that.”
It was official. If they gave out man cards when we were born, mine would certainly be revoked right about now.
“Of course I’m okay with that. I almost don’t know what to think, to be honest.” She fluttered her eyelashes and a small smile appeared on her face. “Usually guys are clamoring to get into girls’ pants. Not just mine, but any girl.”
“Trust me. I know. I’m still a guy. And the guy part of me is dying to get in your pants,” I admitted before leaning over her and covering her body with mine.
I held my body over hers, before turning on my side so both of us fit. Pressing my hand against her back, I pulled her chest against mine as I willed my focus to remain intact. I swore I felt the blood leave my body and congregate in my pants, as if to mock me and test my resolve. Knowing it was useless to fight my growing erection, I attempted to ignore it.
My dick was like a knock-knock joke, constantly throbbing against my zipper until I answered its call. Trying to distract myself, I weaved my hand through Paige’s long hair. It was so soft, my fingers slid right through it. Slowly I brushed my fingertips along her neck as I moved them up toward her cheek. Then I traced her upper lip with one finger, surprised when her tongue darted out and licked it slowly. I closed my eyes and my entire body stilled as she tilted her head and began sucking my finger into her mouth.
“Jesus Christ, Paige,” I muttered, and she instantly pulled away, releasing my finger.
“I didn’t think good Southern boys talked like that,” she said, looking at me with her eyes all big.
“That’s because you believe all the movies you star in.”
“Well, the stereotype has to come from somewhere,” she said as her eyebrows pulled together.
“Yeah. Hollywood.” I framed her face in my palms and pulled her against me. “And girls like you.”
My lips ached for contact with hers. My hands longed to be touching any part of her skin. The electricity that buzzed around us had nothing to do with alcohol, and I knew it. It had been there since day one, I’d just tried to ignore it.
There was no way I could ignore anything that had to do with the girl in my arms. Not any more. And I wouldn’t even bother trying.
I Feel Red
Paige
Kissing Tatum had been electrifying. When I wasn’t in contact with him, I missed the high. My entire body felt like it was linked to his by tiny invisible cords connecting us in a million different points. Whenever he pulled away from me to collect himself, the cords stretched and my body ached against the strain.
I’d never experienced such red-hot intensity. No one had ever made me feel so connected to them before. Not even Colin, and I’d been head over heels in love with that guy. Maybe I’d just been head over heels in stupid with him?
I realized that I was still learning about myself, my heart, and those who wanted a piece of it. It was a fair assessment that I’d loved Colin, but not in that life-changing way. A part of me probably always knew that Colin was temporary. My heart realized we wouldn’t last forever, so it only loved him with as much as it allowed me to give. Or maybe I was just plain crazy and reading way too much into my current emotions.
After sneaking into the house last night, I crept into my bed and tried to make as little noise as possible. Mrs. Montgomery hadn’t said a thing so far, so I didn’t think she realized I’d been having a make-out session with her only child.
Pulling on a pair of cutoff white shorts and a blue tank, I walked into the kitchen the next morning where Mrs. Montgomery always seemed to be. She did a lot of cooking and baking, and had been asking if I wanted to learn how to make a few Southern staples. I told her I did, seeing as how I didn’t have anything else to do except daydream about her son’s lips.
“Mrs. Montgomery, is there a phone at Tatum’s place?” I asked, hoping that the answer would be yes because I needed some privacy.
“There is.” Her eyes narrowed in a way that should have warned me that she knew more than she was saying, but I pretended to be oblivious.