Out of Character (True Colors 2)

“Did you want it to be specific to you?” I asked gently as I parked a little way down from the building. Milo hadn’t asked, but I figured that neither of us needed Luther or James ruining what was otherwise a pretty damn good day.

“No. I didn’t want… Okay. That’s a lie. Maybe I was flattered. At first. But then he made me feel… I dunno. Slimy? Used?”

“Yup. That’s George. He’s a charming bastard when he wants to be.”

“I’m never drinking again.” Milo gave a firm nod, meeting my gaze. “That was it. I’m not going to say I’ll never be a dumbass again, because I’m still me, but I also don’t want to be that guy who never learns his lesson. Not anymore. I want…something more. To be more.”

“I believe in you.” Patting his arm, I put all my conviction into my voice because I sensed he needed that, needed someone who believed he could change. And maybe no one had said that to him in a long time because his eyes went glassy and his lower lip trembled.

“Thanks,” he whispered.

“I mean it.”

He didn’t reply, instead leaning into my touch. Moving slowly, he turned toward me and stopped when our faces were millimeters apart. It didn’t take a genius to see what he wanted, and while I appreciated the hesitation, no way was I turning him down, not in that moment. I nodded slightly, and that was all it took for him to find my mouth.

Like the first time, it was sweet and slow at first, and his hesitance was even more of a turn-on now that I knew I was the only one to ever do this with him. And even though he’d been the one to initiate the kiss, his deliberate, soft movements made it easy for me to take the lead. He was a fast study, mimicking me as I nipped at his lips. I sucked on his lower lip, and he shuddered, groaning softly then immediately doing the same thing to me.

Pulling him closer, I did what I’d been dying to do for days and deepened the kiss, exploring his mouth. He tasted sweet, like chocolate, and vaguely spicy, and his inquisitive tongue was about to make me unravel. His little noises were even better—gasps and whimpers and soft groans like he was as utterly desperate for this as I was.

But I was also a little too aware of being in a public parking lot, engine still running, and the last thing I wanted was to out Milo to his jerk friends. Reluctantly, I pulled away, breathing hard.

“Not as terrible as the first one?” He gave me a soft, shy smile.

“Nowhere close to terrible.” My voice was all husky, and even knowing we were way too exposed, I was still tempted to haul him back for another kiss. “You should probably get inside before one of us freezes.”

“Or spontaneously combusts.”

“That is a risk.” We laughed together as he gathered his stuff.

“Drive safe. Text me?” he asked as he opened the door.

“I will.” No point in playing it cool. I would text, exactly like how I’d give him more non-terrible kisses if I got the chance. And despite everything, I hoped I did.

Chapter Eighteen

Milo

“Ready to go?” As he’d done on Wednesday night, Jasper had parked a bit down from my building, but I’d been waiting outside for him and didn’t have far to walk. “Tell me you didn’t have to stand too long in the cold.”

“It wasn’t bad.” I didn’t want to keep him waiting because he’d been nice enough offering me a ride to Professor Tuttle’s house. And okay, I also wasn’t wanting the drama from Luther and James if Jasper came up to fetch me. I wasn’t going to repeat the mistakes of high school, and I’d tell them where they could shove it if they hassled us, but I wasn’t looking forward to that conversation.

I did a fast glance around the parking lot because I also couldn’t resist the chance to lean in and give Jasper a quick kiss hello. It wasn’t a long one—no tongues tangling like the other night—but Jasper’s small, pleased smile said he appreciated the gesture. And that made me repeat it another time before settling into my seat and clicking the seat belt.

“Wow.” Jasper rubbed his mouth, cheeks still pink. “You’re definitely getting better.”

“Yeah?” I liked knowing that, and I resisted the urge to wriggle in my seat like a puppy getting praised for a new trick.

“Your improvements have been noted, but you might need more practice later.” Jasper’s voice was light as he drove toward the exit.

“I could be down with that.” I started racking my brain for ideas of where we could go park that might allow for more kissing. I’d never done the whole parking thing in high school, but I’d heard enough from the guys in the locker room to know such places existed.