Page 30 of Tapped By My Roommate
Rhett’s smile grew even wider. How was I supposed to think straight when he smiled like that?
“You said you wanted someone to kiss you, right? Maybe get naked for you? I can do that.”
My eyes widened.
“You can touch me, Ethan. You can see if you want to go any further, and if you don’t, it’s totally fine. You’ll be safe doing it. Safe with someone you know.”
“Safe. That’s why you’re offering?”
Rhett was a good guy, a nice guy. In retrospect, I should have suspected he could be EasyLay. Name choice aside, he’d been considerate of my well-being. Rhett was always good like that. Protective, even. The day he’d helped me move, he’d held me together.
So much so that he’d felt compelled to kiss me.
But this wasn’t what I wanted. I didn’t want a guy to explore with me sexually to protect me from the big bad wolves of the world. I wanted to be braver, bolder.
“I don’t know,” I said. “I’m trying to be more courageous. Isn’t doing this with you just taking the easy way out?”
“There’s nothing easy about confronting a new side to yourself, Ethan. You don’t have anything to prove.” He brushed a thumb over my bottom lip. “And I don’t know about you, but I can’t stop thinking about that kiss.”
I swallowed hard. “You make a good point.”
“How about this?” he murmured, so close now I could feel his breath wash over my lips. Lips that were already buzzing with anticipation. “One more kiss, and then you can sleep on it. If you want me to be your guide as you explore your sexuality, you can let me know. If not, you’ll be free to get back on the app and find someone else.”
“One kiss?” I checked.
He nodded once. “Right here, right now. Then you take your time and decide.”
I was helpless to do anything but agree. “Y-yeah, okay.”
His mouth was on mine the moment the words were out, warm and demanding, and those heart flutters returned in full force.
Rhett might be safe—but he was also terrifying.
I clung to him, parting my lips so he could take the kiss deeper, and already knew what my answer would be.
* * *
RHETT
Kissing Ethan was even better than I remembered. His lips clung to mine so sweetly, his breath warm, his tongue silky smooth.
I didn’t want to stop—but I’d promised him time to think. With effort, I pulled back and brushed my thumb over his damp bottom lip.
He blinked, looking dazed. “What now?”
I had so many suggestions—so many fun, sexy ideas. But they would have to wait.
“Meet you at home after a junk food run? I’ve got a crap ton of studying to do.”
Ethan frowned. “Why’d you agree to the hookup if you need to study?”
I smiled ruefully. “Priorities, right?”
Ethan just shook his head, as if he couldn’t imagine prioritizing sex over study time. Maybe he couldn’t. He was a much more dedicated student than I was. I wanted to pass, but I didn’t care how good my grades were, as long as I got my degree.
We separated in the motel parking lot with an awkward wave. Ethan climbed into his Mini Cooper, and I waited until he’d pulled out to start my Honda with a strained rev. The old girl wasn’t sounding great, but she got me from Point A to Point B.
I loaded up at the convenience store, making sure to pick up Mountain Dew and corn nuts for Ethan. Then carried the two bags—re-useable canvas totes that Ethan gave me to use instead of plastic—up to the apartment.
