Page 37 of John Wilder Gets Schooled
Wilder liked me. He was comfortable with me. We’d kissed, and he’d liked it, so clearly we were compatible. And I wasn’t going to push him for more than he was willing to give, because if we did this—and suddenly, I wanted so very badly to do this—it wouldn’t be about me. It would be about teaching Wilder, about putting him first for once.
Who better to do that than me, a guy he already trusted?
I wasn’t arrogant enough to think Wilder would want to date me, not looking like he did. Plus there was the whole mess of me being his kid’s teacher. But maybe he’d appreciate the chance to get some hands-on experience. Or maybe he’d decide that he didn’t want that.
The only way to find out was to try.
I stepped forward and reached out, taking his hand in mine while my heart pounded and I tried to find the right words. His fingers trembled, and my breath caught as I realized how nervoushe was. “I think,” I said slowly, “that I’d like to try kissing again too.”
I closed the space between us, giving him plenty of time to pull away, and pressed my mouth to his. Was this smart? Hell, no. Wilder was a neighbor and a parent, and things could get messy and complicated as hell. But also, Wilder was kind, hardworking, great with kids, and he was hot as the sun, and I wanted to know him better.
The kiss was electric. Wilder let out a tiny, shocked sound against my mouth before cupping my face in his hands and parting his lips under mine, and the kiss was as good as I remembered. Better, because this time Wilder’s hair was down and I got to run my fingers through it as I explored his mouth, and it was just as silky and sensuous as I’d imagined. Time stretched and slowed around us, and the only thing that existed right now was this kiss.
I was jerked out of my reverie by the gentle hiss of steam, and reality intruded in the form of the lid on the potatoes clattering merrily as they came to a boil.
I pulled back with a sigh, lowering the heat on the burner before turning back to Wilder, who was watching me wide-eyed. He ran a thumb over his bottom lip. “That was…”
I waited, my heart in my throat.
“Kind of incredible,” he finished, and I found I could breathe again.
A smile spread across my face. “It really was.”
Wilder’s grin matched my own. “We should definitely do that some more.” And then he leaned forward and pressed his mouth against mine, and we did, and it was amazing. We stood there kissing with the potatoes bubbling away and my insides doing the same, my body heating with every swipe of Wilder’s tongue against mine.
I ran my fingers through his hair again and slid them down the planes of his back, his muscles flexing under my touch, but when I got to the curve of his ass he tensed. I slid my hands ontohis hips and left them there, breaking the kiss to say, “Hey. We’re just kissing, okay?”
He let out a shaky breath. “I know.”
I hooked my thumbs into the belt loops on his jeans and tugged him a little closer. His Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat as he swallowed. “I don’t think I?—”
“Shhh,” I said, pressing a finger to his parted lips. “You’re not even freaking out over this, and that’s so amazing, but we aren’t going to do anything you’re not ready for, okay?”
Wilder nodded silently.
I took my finger off his lips and pushed a stray lock of hair back from his forehead. “But I want you to know that if ever youdofeel ready for more than kissing, I’m here. I can be your safe space. Just two guys figuring out what feels good.”
Wilder’s brow creased. “You mean like no strings?”
“Yeah,” I said, seizing on the idea, if that was what he wanted. “A place to fool around and find out what you like. I can guide you through the mechanics of it.” I couldn’t resist adding, “I’m an excellent teacher.”
Wilder gave me an uncertain smile. “The kissing is already kind of a lot. Like, it’s awesome, but my brain’s still catching up.”
“I know. And I’m not suggesting I take you to bed right now,” I said, “but the offer for more is there, whenever you feel ready.”
For the record, Itotallywould have taken him to bed right then if he’d asked. Hell, I would have taken him to dinner too, if he’d wanted that. But he didn’t ask. Instead he stepped back, pulling out of my hold, and said, “It might not be for a while. Not because I don’t want to,” he added quickly, “but my life is kind of a mess right now. Zero offense, but between two jobs and Gracie, I barely have time to sleep, let alone think about having a sex life. And I definitely don’t have my shit together enough to date or anything.”
“That’s fine. I’m not suggesting that. But like I said, if and when you’re ready to explore, I’ll be right here.”
Wilder bit his bottom lip, ran his uninjured hand through hishair, then exhaled and said, “Yeah.” There was something in his expression I couldn’t quite read, but then he grinned and it was gone. “Okay.”
“Okay,” I repeated. I couldn’t tell if I was relieved or disappointed that he wanted this to be no strings. Like, I was pretty sure I wanted him any way he was willing to offer himself, and I meant everything I’d thought about him needing someone he could trust to guide him though this, just…
Just the better I got to know Wilder, the more I liked him.
“I’m gonna go,” Wilder said. Then he leaned in and kissed me—on the cheek this time—before nodding and saying, “Yeah. I’m definitely not as straight as I thought.”
“What gave it away?” I asked drily.
