“You see, I don’t really know what game you’re playing at, Michelle. Or why my cheating ex decided to tell the room I’m a virgin. Or why he had to mention my sex toys to you. But in all honesty, I probably knew deep down Carter was a liar.” Lawson looks at the blond. “So of course I didn’t want to give it up to him.”
Now it's time for my eyes to widen as my mouth gapes open. So, the asshole is his ex. And a fucking cheater. Suddenly, everything makes sense. And I’m beyond proud of Law for sticking up for himself.
“So yeah,” Lawson continues, placing his hands on his hips. “I might still be a virgin, but I have an extensive toy collection, and I know exactly what I want in bed.”
As if to emphasize his point, Law cocks a hip, red curls bouncing on top of his head. I don’t know if it’s the way he stuck up for himself or all this talk about his sex toys, but I’m all kinds of turned on by Law's sassy attitude.
“And to answer your question. I stopped counting my toy collection when my dresser drawer started to overflow.”
Damn. That’s hot.
The whole room is quiet.
Lawson gasps, his hands flying to his cheeks. It's as if he just realized he just confessed to a whole room of people. Before I can step in to comfort Law, Noah begins clapping, and the room erupts into cheers.
His eyes get impossibly wider. Rather than enjoy his win, Lawson’s gaze jerks back to mine just as his blush spreads. He turns to bolt from the room, but before he makes it to the door, I hear Michelle mumble. “Shit, I would be embarrassed too if I just confessed all that.”
Lawson pauses as if he heard her, but instead of acknowledging her, he bolts out of the room.
I give Michelle a disgusted look and shake my head. At least she has the decency to look embarrassed. Lawson doesn’t deserve to be bullied.
By the time I rush through the door, he’s lost in the crowd of people, until I see him slip out of the sliding door and into the backyard.
“Excuse me. Pardon me.” I weave through the dancing bodies.
Spotting Lawson on a cushioned porch swing, I make my way over to him. “Is this seat taken?” I ask, pointing at the bench.
Silently, he scoots over and shrugs. “What are you doing here?” Despite how casual he sounds, his cheeks are still bright red from embarrassment.
I offer him a small smile, not wanting to scare him off. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
He shakes his head. “No, I mean, what are you doing here at the party?”
This time, I can feel my cheeks heat. First the Truth or Dare game, now all the blushing. Damn. It’s like we are in fucking high school again. I chuckle to myself before realizing it might come off like I’m laughing at him. But when I look at Lawson, he’s smiling too.
He really is the cutest damn thing.
“Go on a date with me,” I blurt. “Tomorrow.”
His eyes pop wide, but he’s still grinning. “Are you serious?”
“Of course. The best part of my week is spotting you up at reception. I like you,” I admit, enjoying the doe-like look on his face.
“Me?” he squeaks. “But I’m so shy. Don’t let that little scene in there make you think otherwise.” Lawson waves at the sliding door. “And I’m kind of a nerd. And you’re… you.”
I laugh. “Yes. I’m me. The kind-of-shy jock turned chef.”
His eyes narrow. “You, shy?”
“Oh yeah. I’ve been wanting to ask you out since the first day you greeted me. I’ve just been gathering my courage.”
He gasps. “What? That was months ago when I first moved here.”
“Exactly. See? Shy.” I lean in close. “What do you say, Law? Go out with me?”
“Okay. Yeah. Sure,” he rambles, nodding eagerly. “I’d like that. I mean yes. Yes. I’d love to.”
“Great. And do you still like Italian?”