Tempt Me (Tattoos and Temptation #1) - Mia Monroe Page 0,21
me tingled with this new awareness. It was amazing.”
Felix smiles. “That is beautiful. I am happy for you. Sexuality can be confusing at times, but when it becomes clear, it is joyous, no?”
“Yes. Joy. I was a little nervous. I was way out of my comfort zone. I knew how to walk up to women and ask them out, you know? This is a whole new world.”
“I do not think it is as hard as you think. If you see a boy you think is cute, you walk up, you say, 'hello, my name is Apollo.' He will look at you and smile and tell you his name. You can buy him a drink and tell him you think he’s pretty. He will tell you that he thinks you are sexy, and then you will exchange phone numbers. You will call him a few days later and ask him to dinner. He will say yes, and then you begin. Is that different from your previous experiences with women?”
“No.” I search his eyes as he follows a water droplet on his glass with his finger. “Is that what men say to you? That you're pretty?”
“Sometimes. Sometimes they say I am adorable, but as you learned last night, I do not like that one.”
“Why?”
“It is too diminutive. A child is adorable. A little Pomeranian with a bow is adorable. Even tiny little tacos can be adorable. I am a man. I am not adorable.”
“But pretty is okay?”
He grins. “Yes, because I am. I reject that adjectives are gender specific. Men can be pretty, and women can be handsome. Men can be graceful and elegant, and women can be suave and distinguished. I go out of my way to be pretty because it makes me happy.”
“I like you, Felix. You know exactly where you stand on everything, don’t you?”
“Everything.”
After we order, I refill our margaritas, searching his face.
“What adjective would you use for me?”
Felix smiles. “Are you easily embarrassed?”
“Almost never.”
“Fine. I will be honest. Your name suits you, Apollo. It is a strong name, a name for a god, and you have a strong face. Your features blend nicely. If I described you to a friend, I would say he is sexy, handsome, hot.”
“That is kind, Felix. When I was younger, I wished I looked more like the mythological god. He had blond hair and blue eyes and eternal youth.”
“And now?”
“There’s something to be said for a little imperfection. You met Jude?”
Felix nods.
“Five years ago, I would’ve been so jealous of a guy who looks like him. He’s perfect. Everything is in balance on his face, he’s hot, and has a great body. He’s also an awesome person.”
“He is very attractive, yes.”
“Fortunately, I’m not that guy from five years ago. That shit with Rachel fucked with my confidence a little. I know I’m not classically handsome. My nose is big, but it’s my dad’s nose, so I like it. My eyes are black as night, but they’re just like my grandma’s, so I like them. I’m a little skinny, and nothing I do bulks me up, but that’s everyone in my family, so I accept it.” I grin. “I got a nice ass though.”
Felix laughs. “You do. I have looked.”
I have a nice dick too, but I should probably keep that part to myself.
“Jude’s looks are very nice,” Felix says. “He has that appeal that can make your knees weak. I understand that, but…” He shakes his head, casting his eyes away. “My tacos are getting cold.”
“You don’t have to hold back with me.”
“I know. I do not want to make you uncomfortable.”
“I doubt you can, Felix.”
He nods, forcing his eyes up to me. “To me, you are far more appealing than Jude.”
“Because you know me, maybe.”
“No. I don’t know how to say it in a good way.”
“Then say it in a bad way. We’ll figure it out. I know you would never say anything unkind to me.”
“I would not.” His cheeks flush pink as he takes a gulp of his drink. He fixes his eyes on me, looking nervous, but then he smiles. “I like your imperfections. They are beautiful to me.”
Wow. My eyes flutter from the compliment as a kaleidoscope of butterflies take flight deep within me. My heartbeat quickens as warmth settles over me.
“God, Felix, that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”
“It is true. I have always appreciated the less than perfect in everything but pastry.” He chuckles. “I demand perfection there.”
“Of course.”
“But in humans, in animals,