Page 68 of Practice Makes Perfect
His mouth quirks into a half-smile as he reaches for his backpack and pulls out a familiar bag. “You mean like these?”
They’re the exact chips I was buying at 7-Eleven the night we ran into each other. “You remembered,” I say, completely stunned.
“Of course I did.” He hands me the bag. “I bought them as we were texting earlier… and I just realized how weird that sounds.”
I take the chips, our fingers brushing in a way that sends tingles up my arm despite the utterly unsexy nature of the exchange. “That’s… really sweet.”
“Don’t tell anyone,” he says with a wink. “I have a reputation to maintain.”
I laugh, tearing open the bag. “Your secret’s safe with me.”
We settle back into watching the movie, munching on chips as the French melodrama unfolds on screen. The main character is now crying in the rain—because of course she is—while herlover chases after her through the streets of Paris. It’s all very dramatic and clichéd, but somehow still captivating.
I sneak a glance at Linc, expecting to see him either engaged with the film or completely zoned out. Instead, his brow is furrowed, like he’s thinking about something while simultaneously his eyes are distant—clearly not taking in a single frame of the movie.
“Hey,” I nudge his arm gently. “You don’t like the movie?”
“What?” He blinks, coming back to the present. “No, it’s fine.”
“You just seem… distracted.”
“Sorry,” he says, shifting slightly on the couch. “Just thinking.”
“About Mike or hockey?” I ask, already feeling a stab of sympathy. After everything he just shared, I wouldn’t blame him if he couldn’t relax his mind.
I know that feeling.
“No,” he says, then gives me an unreadable look. “Actually, I was thinking about… something else.”
“If it’s about my period, I promise it’s not contagious,” I joke, trying to lighten the mood.
His lips curve into a smile, but there’s something heated in his gaze that melts me. “I wasn’t grossed out, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“Oh, good,” I say, relieved.
Then he grins. “In fact,
this is kind of the perfect opportunity for a lesson.”
My heart suddenly pounds against my ribs. “A lesson?” My voice comes out embarrassingly high. “What kind of lesson?”
He leans closer, bringing his mouth to my ear. “A lesson in hooking up on your period, so you’re prepared and know your options.”
The warmth of his breath sends a cascade of shivers down my neck, and I freeze, not sure how to respond. Is he suggesting…?
“I’m up for it if you are,” he murmurs, and the deep timbre of his voice vibrates through me like a bass line.
Words fail me completely, so I just nod, a quick jerky movement that probably makes me look like one of those dashboard bobblehead dolls.
That’s all the encouragement he needs. In one fluid motion, he moves to me, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that burns away any awkwardness. His hands grip my hips, sliding me onto his lap so I’m straddling him—the position sending a jolt of pleasure through my core despite the thin barrier of our clothes.
“Is this OK?” he asks against my lips.
“Very OK,” I breathe, threading my fingers through his hair.
His kisses are confident but not demanding, letting me set the pace as our mouths move together. When his tongue teases the seam of my lips, I open for him eagerly, letting out a small moan as the kiss deepens.
Heat builds steadily in my belly as Linc’s hands roam from my hips to my waist, then higher, his thumbs brushing the undersides of my breasts. Even through my bra and his sweatshirt, the touch makes my nipples tighten.
