Page 19 of Naked

Sonja’s eyes went wide and swung to me. “Girlfriend?” She said it like it was a word she’d never heard before.

But I really couldn’t pay any attention to what Sonja was saying or doing or feeling because Tilley had just called herself my girlfriend. I stepped back and slipped my arm around her waist, pulled her against me, felt like a million bucks.

“Sonja this is Tilley, my girlfriend. Tilley, this is Sonja Peters. She’s a sports reporter.”

“Who you have clearly slept with,” Tilley said with no emotion, which was the equivalent of violent rage for her.

Sonja blushed and laughed. “Oh my. That was a long time ago now. Back when Hunter didn’t date. It’s so nice to meet you.” She tried to shake Tilley’s hand but that was an awkward disaster since Tilley refused to move her wrist and then refused to release Sonja’s hand. All she seemed to be capable of was shooting darts from her eyes.

And I was okay with that.

“Goodnight, Sonja.” I nodded that she should leave.

“Goodnight Hunter. Tilley.” I waited until she was clear of the door, then I let it swing shut and kissed the crap out of mygirlfriend.

She kissed me back for approximately thirty seconds, then she pushed me off. “I don’t like that woman!”

“That’s okay. You don’t have to like her. Ever.”

“She said you didn’t date.” Then she frowned.

And I immediately knew we were in deep shit. “Back then I didn’t. No.” The best way to confront this unfortunate turn of events was to face it head on. With the truth. “I was just out of college, just drafted. The last thing I wanted was to complicate my life with a relationship. Hell, I moved three times that year. But that never meant I didn’t want to date once my life settled down.” I ran my hand through my hair. Sonja was fun, but she had a vindictive streak. “I think she said that to upset you. And it worked.” I moved a little closer, testing whether it was safe. When she didn’t bite me or hiss I placed my hands back on her hips where I really liked having them. “By the way, jealous is seriously sexy on you.”

“I’m not jealous.”

“You’re jealous. And you called yourself my girlfriend.”

Her mouth opened and closed twice. “I was perhaps a bit jealous. Also, today I discovered that Marissa and Emily would like to be my friends, they are not supermodels, and they are in happy, healthy relationships. And a man flirted with me.”

Now it was my turn to have mouth motor control issues. I zeroed in on that last piece of information. “A man flirted with you?” My head was suddenly very hot. And my left eye twitched.

“Yes. I believe, now that I have adjusted my filter, I may see this more often.”

It was really hard to be overly jealous when she was being so openly honest with me. “Darlin’. You’re going to see it fucking constantly. I wish you realized how sexy you are.”

She squirmed. “Regardless,youare very sexy and I am apparently a very jealous woman.”

I pulled her hips against mine. “I’d like you to stay that way. And to keep calling yourself my girlfriend.”

Her eyes fluttered closed and then open again. “This is complicated.”

I kissed her again. “This isn’t complicated at all.”

“Hunter.”

“Tilley. I mean it. It’s not nearly as complicated as your super brain is making it out to be. I appreciate that you’re doing all the things I’ve asked and that it’s helping clear up this confusion between us. Trust me a little while longer?”

She frowned, then nodded.

“Good. Now, does being my girlfriend mean uncomplicated kissing can continue?” I really hoped so.

Her eyes flashed and she threw her arms around my neck, tilting her head to the side and invading my mouth with her tongue. My whole body went rigid as adrenaline and pleasure flooded my veins simultaneously, and then relaxed as her scent and soft skin overwhelmed whatever sense I had left.

I stepped back to keep from falling, then again, then my legs hit the bed.

“Did you kiss her like this?” She hissed.

“Fuck no. I’ve never kissed anyone like this. I’ve neverbeenkissed like this.” I took the kiss deeper, held her tighter against me.

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