Page 11 of Sofa King Cute

“I’ll answer anything you like, but I thought I might do it while I make dinner.” Is he asking me to stay or subtly suggesting that I should leave? Rather than dwelling on my own thoughts, I resolve to simply inquire.

“Are you inviting me to stay for dinner to be polite, or are you bringing up dinner to let me know it’s time for me to hit the road?” I put it out there so now I have to deal with the consequences.

“I want you to stay.” He’s so matter-of-fact when he says it.

"Really?!" I can't hide my excitement.

"You can have dinner here every night if you want," he offers, and I laugh, thinking it's a joke. His face remains serious.

"I'd love to have dinner with you." A smile forms on Julius's handsome face. “I could help if you want. I’m more of a baker, but I can try.”

“You can sit.”

I don’t get the chance to sit down before Julius lifts me by my hips and places me on the kitchen island.

“I guess I’ll just sit here and be pretty.”

“Gorgeous,” Julius corrects before turning to grab items from the fridge.

He thinks I’m gorgeous? Hmm, I suppose I did make him hard.

“So.” I smirk when he turns back to face me, his hands full of items. “You watch my TikToks?”

What are the chances I could get him to do one with me?

Scratch that. No way I’m sharing Julius. Right now, he’s all mine.

Chapter Eight

JULIUS

I don’t know why I thought having her in any other room in the house would make me any less horny. Wishful thinking, I guess. Turns out that I can picture fucking Liv on every surface in my home and not just the flat ones. When I showed her where the bathroom was, the shower wall caught my attention.

After making fajitas for dinner, Liv insisted on helping me wash the dishes. I tried to say no, but she used her hip to bump me out of the way, and I decided to shut my mouth. Instead, I stayed right beside her and dried everything.

One thing I love about being near her is that I don’t feel awkward about being quiet. She doesn’t make me rush to fill in the silence or say something for no reason. Liv seems perfectly content to do the talking, and when she asks me a question, I answer it. I love hearing her tell stories about growing up with a twin and all the times they tried to trade places, but their parents always caught them. The sound of her voice is soothing, and the more she talks, the more I want her to keep talking.

We moved to the living room after dinner, and I lit the fireplace. It’s not really necessary this time of year, but she seemed to like the idea when I suggested it.

“So I don’t know how much longer I can justify doing my stuff. I want to contribute, but maybe it’s time to call it quits.”

When she talks about her art, she gets a passion in her eyes that makes me want to buy her a craft store. Now she’s telling me that she’s thinking of giving it up because it’s not worth it? Fuck that.

“I understand wanting to pull your weight,” I say and lean closer. “But I’ll buy ten airplane hangars and make you fill them with your pieces before I let you quit.”

Her laughter settles in my chest, and it’s like I can feel her happiness. “That might be the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

Heat rushes up my neck, and although I have the urge to tuck my chin or back away shyly, I don’t. Instead I hold her gaze and don’t move an inch. The thought of Liv not giving her gift to the world makes me so damn mad. Sure, she’s not for everyone, and that’s fine by me. I’m willing to admit I’m greedy for her to only be for me, but if someone can’t appreciate a little whimsy, then fuck them.

“I’d say sweet things to you all the time,” I tell her, and her eyes meet mine. “If you’d let me.”

I don’t know where the words come from, but they are out of my mouth before I can take them back. That’s the thing about Liv: I don’t have a choice when I’m near her. My brain and my body disconnect, and I’m nothing but urges and need.

“Would you?” She’s serious as she glances at my mouth. Ever so slightly, she leans closer, and the distance between us begins to shrink.

I cup her cheek with my hand and push my thumb under her chin so she tilts her head back. “If you don’t like kissing me, I can get better.”

She licks her lips, and I see uncertainty in her eyes. “Why wouldn’t I like kissing you?”

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