Page 34 of Character Flaws
My mouth is so hungry for her lips, I devour her. I swallow her gasp as I conform my lips with hers, my tongue sweeping in and seeking hers. My kiss is wet, hot and in need of confirmation. Knowledge that she wants this as much as I do. That she feels the same pull of attraction and is itching for something to happen.
I tug her to me, so that our chests touch. The sound of her script fluttering to the floor is barely noticed as the noise of my heartbeat floods my own ears. Nothing else matters in this moment except ensuring Joey is properly kissed.
She’s stiff for only a moment and then I feel her body relax and unwind under my grasp. I hold on tight, for fear she’ll move away and break the connection. One hand slowly migrates up her arm, to the curve of her neck where I find goosebumps. And then I palm the back of her head, my fingers sifting through her soft curls.
I groan. She sighs.
Joey tastes of summertime. Cool breeziness with a hint of warmth from the wine lingering on her breath, and it gets me hard.
I mean, hard, hard.
Hard enough that I’ll probably embarrass myself if this goes on much longer.
Hoping to avoid any unnecessary mess, and with the force of effort that feels like I’ve summoned a Hercules-like strength, I pull myself back and stare at Joey’s gorgeous face.
Her lips are dewy and rosy, a little swollen and wet, and it sends my heart into my throat knowing I did that to her. The wispy, long lashes of her eyes fan out as her cheeks bloom with heat.
And as I gaze down at her chest, I see the same shade of pink across the tops of her breasts, which are displayed spectacularly in the V-neck t-shirt she wears.
When her eyes pop open, I see a mixture of heat, surprise and bewilderment in her emerald irises.
“Wow,” she blurts, her voice a little raspy. “You’re really good at that.”
Her fingers touch her lips, smoothing over the canvas that I just laid my mouth on.
I’m not sure how to respond to that. She says it like she’s surprised I’m a good kisser.
“Thanks. So are you. How do you feel?”
Her eyes dart away from mine like she’s guilty of something, but I don’t know why.
“I mean, it being your first “actors kiss,” and all, I’m curious if it’s any different from how you’d normally feel.”
I’m putting her on the spot and digging to see if she feels any of the same connection that I do. But instead of answering, she jumps up off the couch like it’s on fire, scaring Woody who is snoozing at her feet.
He lifts his head and his ears pop up before he gets up to walk off toward the kitchen, where he plops himself down again on the floor, groaning from the interruption.
Joey stands at the counter, fidgeting with her t-shirt, obviously anxious over this situation I’ve put her in.
Shit, I didn’t mean to make her uncomfortable.
“So, uh, I hate to end our session early, but I should probably hit the sack and get some rest if I’m going to be prepared for tomorrow’s auditions.”
I look at the clock on her microwave and it’s nine-forty p.m. She’s trying to get rid of me.
So much for making my move. I just crashed-and-burned even pretending to kiss her. I can’t imagine what it would be like if it was the real thing and not hidden under the guise of acting.
Picking up her discarded script off the floor, I hand it over to her. She takes it and holds it tight to her chest in a protective manner. I stand and shift on my feet.
“Yeah, sure. No problem. I’ll take Woody out for a walk and then see you tomorrow, I guess.”
“Yep, uh-huh. Okay. That sounds good.”
Joey ushers us out the door before I can even say goodnight.
Well, Christ on a cracker.
I really have lost my mojo.
