Page 69 of A Pizza My Heart

“They’re hard to avoid.”

“I’m going to do it.”

“Promises, promises.”

To my surprise, he does it.

He digs his fingers into my sides, just like he used to do when we were teens, only this time it feels like so much more than an innocent tickle with his fingers sliding so close to my breasts.

He’s one tiny movement away from brushing my pebbled nipples.

My thighs tingle with every touch. They quake and shiver.

He’ssoclose to areas he shouldn’t be touching, but suddenly I wouldn’t mind him touching them.

My breath quickens even more, loud and harsh, and I think he finally realizes I’m not laughing.

I’m writhing.

I’m burning.

I’mneedingsomething more than this.

His movements cease. Mine do too.

I push away from him, though I don’t actually want to.

I don’twantto, Ineedto…before I do something stupid.

He musters up a cocky grin, lips pulling up at the sides in a way that makes me want to push myself against him again. “You never said it.”

“You’re cute, Foster,” I confess, meaning it wholeheartedly…surprisingly. “But you already knew that,” I add in for good sarcastic measure, trying to right the weirdness between us.

“I am, huh?” he teases smugly.

“I’m going to head home, probably crash.”

“Or order food, maybe make some of your famous cupcakes then take a bath.”

I snort as he repeats the same things that went through my mind minutes ago. Sometimes I forget how well he knows me. “Or that.”

“Good. You need a break, some you time.”

“Sobadly.” My body sags with defeat, all the weeks of hard work catching up to me in an instant. My eyes brim with tears that are begging to escape, but I sniffle them back. “My feet are on fire nearly constantly, my back aches on the regular, and my shoulders are so knotted I don’t think even a sailor could undo the damage. I needed this more than you know. I could kiss you for making it happen.”

His warm green eyes hold mine for a moment before falling shut.

A deep breath.

A step.

Then, his lips are on mine.

Warm. Inviting.Right.

And gone before I can react.

He rests his forehead against mine, letting the crickets fill the silence between us.

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