Page 6 of Pucking Your Best Friend

“You want…what? To your apartment?” he asked, somewhat perplexed, his eyebrows raised in surprise.

“Yep, it won’t take long. I promise. I live on the top floor and the bench is too heavy for me.” She shrugged helplessly. “So, are you up for it?”

He blinked. “If I’m up for…the bench,” he repeated tonelessly.

Why was he looking at her so strangely?

“Yes.”

“Okay.” He cleared his throat and rubbed his neck. “Sure.”

She breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you!” she said, squeezing his shoulder. “You’re exactly the man I was looking for today.”

“Ah,” he repeated, raising one corner of his mouth before standing and following her into the bar toward the front door.

It was crowded on the dance floor and Matt reached for her hand, probably so as not to lose her. It irritated her that he was rubbing circles with his thumb over the thin skin of her wrist, but he was probably lost in thought.

She smiled at him over her shoulder and pushed through the door to the street. A fresh breeze blew and the moon reflected off the ocean in front of them. She never got tired of living on the beach.

“So,” Matt said quietly, turning her around and taking a step toward her. “The bench.” He slid his hand up her arm.

“Yep,” she said and nodded toward the piece of furniture in question. Had he noticed that she was a little cold, or why washe putting his other hand on her arm? He’d have to stop because the goosebumps on her back were not due to the wind. “It’s right there.”

Matt’s mouth twitched. “Hm, okay. Then we’d better carry it. But first…” His large, warm hand slid to her neck and Maddie forgot to breathe.

He ran his thumb to her chin and peered into her eyes. His gaze grew…darker. Maddie’s heartbeat increased as he leaned down…

“Oh my God, Matt, what are you doing?” she asked in surprise, jumping back so abruptly that his hands fell from her face. Had he just…had he just tried to...

“What?” he asked, blinking down at her, then rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment. “Well, I wanted to kiss you. I thought that was obvious.”

Her mouth suddenly went dry. Probably because it was open. “You…what? Why?”

He furrowed his eyebrows in irritation. “Because I like kissing. I’m not into sex without it.”

“You…sex?” Her eyes nearly popped out of her head. Heat flooded her face as her thoughts raced. Oh God, had he thought…seriously?Had he justhit on her? Gosh, was she so rusty that she misinterpreted when someone wanted to sleep with her? “What are you talking about?” she blurted out.

Suddenly, Matt seemed confused. “Well, you invited me to your apartment and…”

“No!” She pressed a hand to her forehead. “I wanted you to help me with the bench.” She gestured to the furniture next to them.

“The…” Matt slowly turned — and paused. “Wow. There really is a bench.”

“Of course!”

“But you said you wanted to take me to your apartment.”

“Yes, to my apartment. Not my bed!”

“You saidyou are exactly the man I was looking for today!”

Her cheeks became inflamed. “Because you have muscles and you’re nice!”

For a few endless seconds, he just stared at her, speechless. Then he burst out laughing and rubbed his face feverishly. “Shit. Okay, sorry. I’m really sorry. But you made it all sound so…sexy.”

“No, I didn’t!” Her voice went up an octave. “I’m not, I mean…” This was ridiculous! She had never sounded sexy on purpose in her life, how could she possibly do it subconsciously?

“Yeah, yeah, it’s okay,” he said, grinning broadly. “My mistake. I’m sorry. Honestly. I certainly didn’t mean to make you feel bad. Quite the opposite.” The corners of his mouth twitched and new heat filled Maddie’s body. This time, however, in the opposite direction of her head. “I simply assumed…well, normally…”

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