Page 28 of Kissing Games
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After a few fitful hours of sleep, Charlie knocked on Valentina’s door, Bandit by his side for emotional support. She opened it and stood in the doorway.
‘What are you hiding behind your back?’ she asked as she stroked Bandit.
The back of his neck pricked with heat. ‘A present. May we come in?’
Her eyes narrowed, but there was a sparkle of interest in them. ‘Be my guest. Did you bring Bandit with you to soften me up?’
The heat spread to his cheeks. ‘Maybe. You’re very intimidating.’
‘Ha! Says the enormous man with all the muscles.’
‘Do you want to see them?’ He flexed an arm.
She pushed it down, her cheeks flushing. ‘Put the guns away. I want my present.’
He took a large glass jar from behind his back and presented it to her.
‘Pickled gherkins?’
‘Oh no, sorry.’ He turned it so she could see the label he’d stuck on.
‘Teenage kicks?’ Her brow furrowed. ‘What is this?’
He unscrewed the lid. ‘Look inside. I thought you needed some ideas of what to do with your time off. You can pick one and then do it.’
She looked at him.
‘Or not,’ he said hurriedly. ‘And I thought I could help you out. I’m extremely well-qualified.’
She arched an eyebrow and the god of lust kneed him in the groin. ‘Well qualified at being a drunken idiot?’
He nodded. ‘Definitely. I undertook years of specialist training. I’m a Jedi Juvenile Master.’
She rolled her eyes. ‘And I’m your Padawan?’
‘Yes. And when your training is complete, you can be my master and teach me how to become a mature, responsible adult.’
‘And how long do I have for that? It could take years.’
He bowed. ‘I will put myself in your hands for a lifetime.’
There was a sudden silence as they stared at each other.
She pulled the jar from him and sat on the floor by the fire. Bandit settled next to her.
‘Come on then,’ she said, beckoning him forward. ‘Let’s see what amazing ideas you have for regressing me.’
He sat facing her, unable to stop himself staring. She was so beautiful. Her hair was pulled over one shoulder, leaving one side of her neck exposed. He wanted to press his lips to it, feel her heartbeat change, kiss along her jaw, hear her—
‘What is it? Have I got something on me?’ She was frowning and rubbing her neck.
‘No, there’s nothing, sorry.’Get it together, dickhead!
She reached inside the jar. ‘Okay then, here we go.’
He’d written all his ideas on A4 paper, then folded them up. They’d only filled the bottom centimetre of the jar so he’d added more. His stomach flip-flopped as her hand rummaged around and he prayed she didn’t pick the worst ones first. She pulled one out and opened it, an excited smile on her face. Charlie held his breath.
