Page 97 of The Upgrade

“That sounds fabulous.” For the first time ever, my brain doesn’t dwell on the memory of Brock and Jacinda. I’m imagining what it will feel like to tangle my body with Kit’s in this swing. “Can’t wait to try it with you.”

“It’s a date.” He pulls out a cribbage board, followed by a deck of Skip-Bo cards and a box marked Battleship. “For game nights,” he says. “I want us to have fun together in non-sexual ways, too.”

“Definitely a tradition I’m up for.” I give him a saucy smile. “Also, I’m open to the idea of Strip Battleship.”

Kit laughs and sets the game boxes aside. “I’m game. Pun intended.”

Rolling my eyes, I watch as he pulls out a flogger and something with dangly bits on the end. “Cat toys,” he says. “For playing with Bratwurst, who I’d very much like to meet.”

“I’m sure he’d be happy to meet you.” I squint at the sticker on the side of the handle. “Why does the cat toy say, ‘ribbed for extra pleasure”?”

“Shockingly, they don’t sell cat toys in the sex shop.” He takes back the flogger and tucks it in the box. “Let’s count this as a metaphor for my willingness to improvise and roll with whatever surprises life delivers.”

“Sounds good to me.” I watch as he pulls out a big bag of Reese’s Pieces.

“For mutual indulgence.” He grins. “We both deserve treats.”

“We do!” I laugh and clutch the bag to my chest. “Shall we feed them to each other on game nights and movie nights?”

“Why not on the sex swing?”

“They should add that enchantment to the Crystal Bliss menu.”

“Yes! The Choco Penis Butter and Jiggly Jelly Bonanza.” He smirks when I groan. “Maybe I’ll leave naming to the marketing professionals.”

“Good plan.” I tuck the candy back in the box, not wanting peanut butter breath for my threesome.

Speaking of which, I should maybe text Logan for a raincheck. In light of what’s happening with Kit, I don’t feel right about?—

“Eve,” he says, and the worries slide straight from my brain. “I want you to know that Iseeyou. All of you. I see a beautiful woman who’s wild and uninhibited and knows what she wants in life and in the bedroom. I also see a smart professional, a caring friend, a good daughter—a woman still struggling to kick shame to the curb. You’re all of those people, and I’m nuts about every single aspect of you.”

“I’m nuts about you, too.” Grinning, I nibble my lip. “I think we should kiss now.”

“That’s the best idea I’ve heard all day.”

His lips claim mine and sparks explode in the back of my brain. Wrapping my arms around his broad shoulders, I sigh as Kit pulls me tight to his body. I swear to God I hear puzzle pieces clicking together. We justfit.

His tongue grazes mine, deepening the kiss that goes on a long time. His hands cup my arms, caressing and squeezing and sending flutters of rippling goosebumps from my wrists to my shoulders. It feels so fucking good that I’m digging my nails into the back of his neck.

Kit breaks away first, his eyes searching mine.

“So we’re good?”

“So good.”

“Excellent.” His smile spreads slow and roguish. “I guess there’s just one more thing left on your list.”

I’m still a bit dazed from that kiss. “What do you mean?”

He looks over his shoulder and yells. “Logan! Get your ass up here.”

Wait, what?

From the stairwell behind Kit’s shoulder, Logan’s head floats into view. “Hey,” he says, grinning as he strides to the door. “Told you you’d like the guy I picked.”

“Holy shit, Logan.”

The two men slap palms, jostling each other with one of those manly-man handshakes. “Thanks for hanging back a bit,” Kit tells him.

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