Page 93 of Christmas in Coconut Creek

Ophelia:Seems that way

Frankie <3:Fucking Christ, why?

Ophelia:I’m supposed to be making gingerbread houses with Nat and Mateo

I opened the camera again, this time pulling the hem of my T-shirt up above my chest so my bra and a peek of cleavage stood out before taking the picture.

Frankie <3:Damn it, O

Ophelia:My mother told me to drive you crazy

I hatched an idea suddenly, wriggling out of my clothes and rooting through the drawers in the dresser for something of his to wear.

Frankie <3:You told your mother about me?

Busted.

Ophelia:She asked

Frankie <3:You’re lying, and for some reason that makes this hotter

I opened and closed a few drawers one-handed, nudging them back into place with my hip and moving onto the next set.

Frankie <3:I’m tipsy enough to tell you I need more and not be embarrassed about it

I smirked, sticking my hand in the dark confines of what looked like his underwear drawer. Half of it was empty save for a scrap of red fabric that would have been looked over entirely if not for a sweeping sense of familiarity.

“What…?”

I lifted my own lacy red thong out of the drawer, the one he’d pocketed the very first morning in Coconut Creek. Hair rose from my neck all the way down to my tailbone. I sent another photo with the fabric dangling from my fingertips.

Ophelia:Explain

Frankie <3:Figured if you’re my girl you need a drawer

My eyes shifted in and out of focus twice as I read his message, knees weakening to cheap rubber.

If you're my girl.

Ophelia:Taking this practice dating thing pretty seriously

Frankie <3:Don’t change the subject

His nonchalance was all the more attractive, because—he just didn’t realize, did he? That something as basic as making space in a dresser without being asked, without flaunting it, without needing the pat on the back for simply choosing to prioritize me meant more than I could word.

To feel desired. In more than a physical sense. Without denial.

Ophelia:Tell me what you want

Frankie <3:You

Frankie <3:Here

Frankie <3:Now

Ophelia:I was thinking more visually

Frankie <3:Something to hold me over until I ruin you tomorrow

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