Page 48 of Almost Love

“Do what, Clem?”

Her eyes lifted to his as she said, “Kiss me, please.”

He hesitated for a brief moment and he could see the panic in her eyes. Before she could move away, he cupped her jaw and brought her back to him. Her gaze softened and dropped to his mouth as a hand stroked the side of his face. Oakley closed the space between them and pressed his lips to hers, sighing at how soft she was against him. As her other hand also wound through his hair, he nudged her lips apart and sank into her. She let out a moan and he took that as a sign to keep going. The kiss deepened as their tongues brushed and danced. Her grip on his hair tightened and he pulled Clementine closer, arm sliding around her waist.

“Fuck,” she muttered, pulling away from the kiss. Her forehead pressed against his as she said, “You’re addictive.”

“That’s what I’ve been saying about you.”

She laughed softly, the sound hitting him in the chest. He knew that every smile and laugh he pulled out of her was a win, so he was going to keep trying to do that. Tilting his head slightly, he pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth as he dragged one finger along the skin exposed between her clothes. She wriggled against him and when he moved his finger again, she squealed softly.

“Are you ticklish, Clem?”

“No!”

“Aw, baby, you are,” he teased and then swallowed back a laugh at the glare she shot him. “Which part of that sentence offended you?”

“Baby. So fucking juvenile.”

“I fucking love when you swear. What can I call you?”

“Clem.”

“I already call you that.”

“Nothing but Clem.”

He shook his head. “Gimme another one, Clem.”

“I hate nicknames.”

“Clemis a nickname.”

Rolling her eyes, she poked him in the chest. “I hatecutesynicknames.”

“Okay, so I’ll find something better.”

“Oak.”

“Something just for me,” he added in a low whisper and felt her body twitch slightly.

“Fine.” She stepped out of his arms and started gathering their breakfast things, like they hadn’t had a moment. He would let her have it. He was starting to understand Clementine a little better. While she was happy to be vulnerable in front of him, make out and touch him like that, she also needed her space and time to process everything. He’d never been with someone whowasn’t a social animal or a people person, but he was starting to learn the way she functioned. It didn’t take away from how much he liked her though. If anything, it endeared him to her even more.

“Stop staring at my ass and help,” she chided. He looked at her ass, groaning softly at the way the thin material of her shorts barely hugged her bottom.

Picking up their cups and the coffee implements, he brought it over to the sink. While she rinsed everything, he loaded up the dishwasher. Working side-by-side with her was another thing he hadn’t expected, but he liked how domestic it felt. How normal it was.I could totally get used to this.

All of a sudden, he was hit in the face with foam. His eyes widened and he turned to find her staring at him with her lips pressed together, hiding a smile.

“Oops?”

“I bet,” he said, narrowing his eyes as he adjusted his glasses and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Before she could move, he wrapped an arm around her waist as he grabbed the adjustable faucet and angled it at her face. He turned the tap on and the water sprayed them both, making Clementine yelp. She tried to break free from his grasp, but he ducked behind her as the water continued to attack her face, making her yell. Once the water was turned off, she spun in his arms and glared, hands braced on her hips. He snorted at her drowned rat look through his droplet-covered glasses.

“You’re an asshole,” she grumbled, but Oakley could see the corner of her lips twitch.

“And you’re fucking sensational.”

She couldn’t hide the smile this time, even though she dipped her head. He saw the blush creep up her neck and instead of letting her go, he cupped the back of her head and pulled herinto him. It took her a few minutes, but she wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder.

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