The Lucky in Love Collection - Lauren Blakely Page 0,23
move, thinking I’ll be getting my hands on that hair. She did mention hair-pulling, after all. Fortunately, that’s one of my favorite things to do. And Arden’s hair, all those lush blonde locks, is prime for yanking, tugging, and wrapping around my fist.
“You don’t have to be nervous. I’m glad you asked me. Better me than anyone else.”
She drops her hand to my leg, squeezing my thigh, sending a bolt of lust to every corner of my body. “Please. As if I would go to some other guy.”
“Damn straight. I’m your man.” I tap my chest. “Now, let’s go back to that list. If memory serves, you want to know if you like being taken over the back of the couch, screwing in a pickup truck, making out in an elevator, and having your hair pulled so hard you see stars. Did I get that right?”
Just saying all that out loud sets my skin on fire. Is it my lucky day or what?
Twin spots of pink spread wider across her pretty cheeks as she nods. “I’d say you have that down pat. I thought we could probably tackle everything in a week, and maybe a little taste of each one would give me a better idea.”
“Tasting is always a good idea,” I say, and my voice goes a little raspier, a little huskier.
Obviously.
Because hell. The prospect of getting my lips all over her is making my mouth water. I could spend all night tasting her everywhere. Exploring her body with my mouth. Yes, this is definitely my lucky day.
“I wrote a list, so there are more items, but that’s the general idea. To sample each one.”
Damn, do I ever want to see that list. Reading it will be like finding buried treasure, opening a chest full of glittering rubies, sapphires, and diamonds. Her pleasure will be a thousand priceless gems.
“Like when you get a taste at an ice cream parlor,” I say. And a taste leads to a cone. Or a sundae. With a cherry on top, pretty please.
“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m thinking.” She holds up her thumb and forefinger to show a sliver. “Just a little taste is all I need for my research project.”
“And when would you like this research to start? Since you have some kind of time limit, I’m assuming ASAP?”
Please say now, please say right fucking now.
She smiles a little impishly, like she’s up to something naughty, and, hell, is she ever. She has some very naughty secrets up her sleeve. “Tonight?”
There is a God.
There is a very good God.
“That’s one of my favorite words.” I clear my throat, grabbing hold of the tiny bit of logic still circling in my brain. “I assume we should establish some ground rules.”
She nods vigorously. “Oh, definitely. Like I’ve said, we can pretty much devote a week to it. Anything longer becomes messy, but I honestly think we can accomplish everything in that time. And beyond that, when the seven days end, I think we also agree to stay friends.”
“I can’t imagine us not being friends.” It’s true, but I’m wondering about other ground rules, like her place or mine, and do we need safe words, but sure—the maintenance of the friendship is key too.
“Whew. Me too. That’s the most important thing to me. I want you in my life, Gabe.”
“I want you in mine.” That feels like the truest thing I’ve voiced all night, and it’s freeing, so damn freeing, to admit it, even if it’s in this veiled context.
“And another would be if at any point something I ask you to try bothers you—”
I laugh harshly. That might be the most ridiculous thing she’s ever said. Anyone’s ever said. “You don’t have to worry about that.”
“But I do. I want you to be comfortable, especially because I might ask a lot of questions.” Her voice rises at the end, like she wants permission to quiz me.
“Bring it on. I love a dirty talker.”
She laughs, glancing down as if she’s embarrassed. ‘Well, I wasn’t thinking like that, exactly.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll get you there in the dirty talk department.”
“And I think, too, you can look at this as a practical class. And I suppose you’re the teacher.”
I hum happily. “Hands-on classes were always my favorite.”
She quirks a brow in a question, then shakes her head. “Yes, I suppose it is hands-on.”
How else would we be practicing if not hands-on? But I don’t say that. If she needs to ease into this, it’s fine by me. “And where