Page 180 of Becoming Us
His gaze was still on the flask. “What is that?”
“Whiskey.”
His eyebrows lifted, clearly unimpressed.
“You’re not much of a drinker, are you?”
“No, not really. I don’t like the taste. Or the effects.”
Okay. So drunk fumbling was off the table. There went seventy percent of my game.
“Do you smoke?” I mimed lighting a joint when he hesitated.
“No.”
That was the other thirty. Now what? “Sounds about right.”
Fine. Old-fashioned flirting it was. I adjusted my smile, just enough to be noticeable. His eyes narrowed slightly, like he caught the shift.
“Would you ever try it?”
“I don’t think so.”
I let my smile stretch slowly as I shifted closer, hoping he’d catch the hint. “How about if it was with me?” I kept my voice low, letting my eyes roam over his face. My smile didn’t waver.
His lips parted, slow and soft.
Yeah, that’s it, handsome. Are you in?
Atticus frowned. “Why would it make a difference if it was with you?”
His cluelessness made me laugh. I tried not to let the sting of disappointment show. Fuck. I was going to have to be a lot more direct with him.
I pushed off the ledge and took a breath. Okay. Okay. Okay. How the fuck was I going to play this?
I pulled a joint from my pocket, lit it, and took a drag.
Come on, Noah. You’ve made moves on way more scandalous choices. This is nothing.
“Do you still think I’m intimidating?” I wasn’t really sure where I was going with it, but I used that conversation we’d had to hopefully spur us on.
His expression softened. “Yeah, I guess so.”
Okay. I’ve got it.
“You’refucking intimidating, Atticus. Has anyone ever told you that?”
“Not really. Scary, yes. But not intimidating.”
I chuckled. That honesty was lethal.
“Well, you are.” I took another hit and stepped closer.
He sat there with his legs spread, and I knew exactly where I wanted to be.
His gaze followed the joint as I raised it to my mouth. “Why?”
“For starters, you’re fucking huge.”
