Page 35 of Feverburn

“You’re drunk. You don’t know what you want.”

She slumped her shoulders.“No, like for real, I want you.”She grabbed the short chin hairs of my beard.“I want to sit on your face.”She lifted her hand, realizing she said that last part out loud.“Sorry, I mean—”

“I’d like that too,”I said, kissing her hand to hide my smile.

“We can just tell Kaylee and Harley. We’ll be like—hey, life happens, and guess what, Harley? I want to fuck your brother. He’s cute. He makes me laugh, and I’m the only person he will talk to. That has to mean something.”She blinked slowly, getting rummy.

“You said you weren’t ready to date.”

“Oh, I am now. I can’t stop thinking about you. You’re so thoughtful, funny, and smart. And handsome.”She ran a little hand over my cheek.“You have the prettiest eyes and a good soul.”

I smiled at her drunkenconfession, knowing I couldn’t take it seriously.“Thank you. But you said the timing wasn’t right, and I really can’t get burned again—"

She crawled into my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck.“I was terrified. But I need to take a risk. You’re worth the risk. I am so ready. Are you?”

I grappled with herconfession, praying it was drunken truth and not desperation. I fiddled with a hole in her sleeve,“You know I am.”

Her sleepy eyes drifted to my mouth.“Will you do something for me?”

“Anything.”

“Kissme,”she said breathily.

“Not that.”

“Liar.”

“Cute drunk girl who can’t consent.”

She glowered at me while I moved her off my lap to get another glass of water.She slinked inside the covers with a grumble, miserably flopping against her pillow. “But I’m drunk. If Ikissyou now, I can blame it on that. I won’t have to feel guilty.”

Handing the glass back to her, I made an offer.“I will let youkissme if you drink another glass.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Then you’ll be hornyanddehydrated. You’regorgeous, but I doubt that’s a good look on anyone, even you.”

She grabbed the glass from my hand.“You want to get mewet?”she asked with a slow drunk blink.

I stared at her lips, only able to hum an affirmative,“Mm-hmm.”

“Good,”she said before drinking with more determination, offering the empty cup back.“So, you’ll go out with me?”

“We will figure it out when you feel better, sweetheart. You need to sleep.”

She turned away from me, facing the wall as she burrowed into bed.“I’m cold. Will you hold me?”

I rubbed her back, setting the glass down.“Rosie, babe, you’re drunk, and I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“Please? I won’t try tokissyou or anything, I promise.”

Her plea tore at myheart. I pulled out my keys, wallet, and phone, placing them on her dresser. I wanted to have Rosie in my arms, but this felt too soon and not on my terms. With her under the covers and me on top, I slid behind her, wrapping her up as the little spoon. She let out a little sigh of contentment, making my breathing deepen, too. This was unlike Rosie. She was guarded, needing no one.

“You’re safe with me,”I whispered before kissing her neck right below her ear.

“I know,”was all she whispered to the wall. Her voice sounded choked up, like it was hard admitting it to herself.

I nuzzled her hair, loving her soft curls brushing against my nose.“I’ve got you.”

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