Page 3 of The Love Playbook

For the first time since she approached me, her face changes from mildly amused to avidly interested. Even excited. “You did? What did you want to talk about?”

“Are you really gonna make me say it?” I mumble.

Laughing softly, she steps closer and rubs her hand over my chest. And somehow when she does it, it seems to sensitize my skin, sending electric pulses racing through my blood. Plenty of girls have touched me, and maybe it’s just because I know Autumn’s at least marginally interested in me—she offered to be my love tutor, after all. Though I’m not sure exactly what she means by that, even if I have a few guesses. Regardless, she wouldn’t do that if she thought I was hideous or repulsive. Right? And she kissed me on the cheek.

Is she going to do that again?

“Yes,” she says quietly, her face tipped up, her eyes locked with mine. “Consider this your first lesson. You have to verbalize what you want if you ever hope to get it. Especially with women.”

Swallowing seems almost impossible with her so close, her light floral scent tickling my nose, her brown eyes soft and warm locked on mine. “I’d, uh, um …” I clear my throat. Closing my eyes, I force the words out. “Autumn, I’d like to take you up on the offer you made at the end of last semester. To, uh, help me. With women.”

“Deal,” she murmurs, and I open my eyes just in time for her to press up on her toes, hook a hand behind my neck, and kiss me.

CHAPTER TWO

Autumn

Jackson’s lips are immobile against mine, his heart pounding hard under my hand. I press my lips to his again, gently. Still no response.

“Kiss me back, Jackson,” I whisper against his mouth.

He sucks in a breath like his diaphragm got paralyzed and just now restarted. I nip at his lower lip, then kiss it again.

This time he seems to get the idea, and he tentatively kisses me back. Reaching for one of his arms, I grab it by the wrist and wrap it around me, placing his hand on my lower back. His fingers tighten, like he wants to pull me closer, but for some reason he stops himself.

Alright. Good instincts. Some kind of hangup that prevents him from fully acting on them. I think I can work with that.

I press my lips to his once more, happy that he returns the pressure, then sink back onto my heels, looking up at him with a smile. “Good first effort. We’ll definitely need more practice, though. Have you ever kissed anyone before, or was that your first?”

His cheeks coloring—no surprise—he lifts his head and glances around. Oh, oops. Maybe I should be more discreet about this line of questioning. While his friends and teammates surely realize that he’s not on the bang train along with them—I mean,I’venoticed, and I barely spend any time with the guy—that doesn’t mean he wants to advertise exactly how inexperienced he is.

Lowering my voice to a whisper, I lean in close. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that out loud right here. I got caught up in the moment and forgot other people are around. Let’s make a plan to get together somewhere quieter soon and you can answer all my questions then.”

“I’ve kissed someone before. Lauren Targer in the eighth grade.” I raise my eyebrows, silently inviting him to continue if he wishes. Sadly, he doesn’t. “And will you also answer my questions then?”

“Of course. I will always answer your questions. You don’t even have to wait until then, you can just text me anything you want to know. Or ask now.” I shrug. “I don’t mind.”

His eyes dart around again, and he gives a tiny shake of his head. “Later is fine.”

I give him a big sunny smile. I can’t help myself. This guy is too adorable for words with his soft cheeks, straight nose, and the dimples I can’t see right now but know are there. Plus his blushes. So many blushes. He’s definitely a virgin. And I’d bet money that Lauren Targer in the eighth grade is his one and only kiss before now.

The question I want answered is, did he initiate the kiss or did she? And why hasn’t he kissed anyone since then?

Some guys aren’t into sleeping with every girl who expresses interest, and that’s understandable. But kissing? Surely you’re allowed to be a little more indiscriminate with your kissing, even if you come from a hyper-religious background.

I knew a few kids like that back in high school, but at least one of them had a boyfriend, and they made out all the time.

Stepping back, I thread my fingers with Jackson’s. “Stick with me tonight.”

He raises his eyebrows in surprise. “Everyone will think we’re together.”

“So? Is that a problem for you?”

His eyes track over me, taking in my flowy tank and black yoga shorts, lingering on the hint of cleavage showing over the scoop neck of my top and the curve of my hips. I can’t help smiling to myself. He definitely likes what he sees. I know that look all too well.

“No,” he manages at last, his voice almost raw. “I just didn’t know if you’d want to advertise that you’re taken.”

I step in close again, and his cheeks color like he’s half expecting me to kiss him. I don’t, though. “For right now, I am taken. If I’m going to be teaching you how to date, then you’ll get all my attention. Besides, no one here is as interesting to me as you.”

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