Page 95 of Outspoken

I don’t know what else to say, and I don’t like how my heart flutters when he’s near, so I try to end this so I can go inside and sleep. “Okay, amiga, I should—”

“Amigo.”

I blink. “What?”

“Amigo. Since I’m a guy, you use the masculine form—amigo.”

I push on his chest, laughing and feeling way too flirty. “You are not standing out here right now correcting my Spanish grammar.”

He catches my hand, smiling, and pulls me closer. “You gotta say it right.”

My body unconsciously melts into him, my palms finding a soft resting place against his chest. “Dork.”

Wetting his lower lip, his eyes shine at me, and he inches his mouth closer for a goodnight kiss.

Coming to my senses, I turn my head, pushing out of this impromptu embrace. “Okay,amigo, goodnight.”

“No kiss? I gave you a ride and everything. I was a gentleman.”

I playfully push him a few feet away and then return to the door. “Get out of here. I need to sleep.”

He smiles softly, warm yellow light from the street highlighting one side of his face—the side with his dimple. Sometimes, it’s like he shows it just for me.

“Good night, Amber.”

His rich, comforting voice captures a part of me in that moment. It feels like my name is the only one he's ever spoken.

Fleeing from his tender gaze and the new feelings inside me, I hurry into the house, locking the door tight.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Miguel

THESE PAST TWO WEEKS HAVE been heaven. I’ve spent so many years dreaming of this. Am I dreaming? Damn, I hope not.

I’m on Jackie’s porch, wearing one of my nicest blue button-ups, hands stuffed into my jeans pockets. My hair isn’t moussed today. I left it curly and loose because mi corazón commented on how she likes a man’s hair to be natural. After an eternity, Amber finally opens the door. Before I can admire her beauty and the way her flowery pink spring dress flows around her sexy curves, she fists the front of my shirt and yanks me into a greedy kiss.

Guess I don’t care if this is a dream. I’ll stay asleep.

I mold my tongue with hers, tasting her minty breath and exploring until she releases a satisfied moan. Then I suck lightly on her bottom lip. After spending all these years holding back, I’m finally free to express myself physically with her, free to caress any part of her body and whisper into her ear every emotion I bottled up.

Well, I’m mostly free. There are a few limits. I can only whisper sweet nothings in Spanish. I know she’d kick me out if I told her my feelings in English since she still won’t accept them. I also can’t act clingy, which I haven’t. I respect her rules. I never initiate texts, and I’ve thought a lot about what she told me at Rico’s party. She’s not a pity-like, and I’m not trying to be her white knight. I have genuine feelings, but for now, I’m going with the flow and living in the moment.

Within Amber’s constraints.

If I’m patient, I know she’ll come around. She will. We’re soulmates.

She presses her face into my neck, inhaling. The setting we’re in is a little romantic since her roommate’s living room is like a botanical garden. All I want is to light a bunch of candles, sprinkle rose petals over the couch, and spend the evening cuddling and talking—let my poetic side out.

“Fuck,” Amber says. “Why do you always smell so good?” She pushes her hands under my shirt, feeling my abs. “Jackie is gone for an hour, so not a lot of time, but we’ll make it work.”

There’s a little twinge in my chest. She’s always rushing into getting physical. I want time to greet her and ask about her day. Have some deep, meaningful moments together. I know I agreed to be friends with benefits, but it’s not something I’ve ever done. I want to get a boyfriend/girlfriend vibe going, but the wall she keeps between us is solid. I’m starting to feel like her dirty, shameful secret—a knife that digs deeper every time we meet like this.

I need patience.I’ll give her time to open up, and it’ll all work out. She seems happier, so that’s what matters now. Marriage and kids will come later.

She finally closes the front door, glancing outside first to make sure no one is around. I kind of wish Paige or Brody were out for a walk and saw us in the doorway making out. At least I wouldn’t be a secret.

Just have patience.

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