Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 88218 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88218 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“Why didn’t you stay that night and talk to me about it?” I ask.
A frown line appears above Denver’s brow. “After you rejected me, you mean?”
“I didn’t mean to reject you. No, wait, I did, but I didn’t mean for you to feel rejected. I saw you like a brother, and it was weird that you were kissing me. But maybe …”
Maybe, what, Mason?
What would that night have looked like if Denver hadn’t run out of there?
“Maybe if you’d stayed and talked it out, I could’ve seen it from a different perspective.”
“What perspective?” Denver asks. “You’re straight. I’m … whatever. There’s not much more perspective than that.”
“What if it’s not that simple?”
“How is any of this simple?”
He’s right. It’s not. Not even a little bit. But the more I think about it, the more I realize we’ve always been in this limbo state between friends and more than friends. I thought it was a familial feeling. But maybe …
Am I sexually attracted to Denver? My cock says yes. My brain says I can’t be. Because he’s Denny.
Yet, my eyes keep glancing at his lips while my tongue feels the need to wet my own in anticipation of having Denver’s mouth on mine again. Only, this time I’m not going to push him away.
“I’m curious what would’ve happened if you hadn’t taken me off guard and gave me a chance to process—”
“What, you might have kissed me back? Doubt it.”
“I could see it happening.”
Denver falters. His face is so expressive. He still wants it. He’s hoping what I’m saying is real. “W-what?”
“Maybe you would’ve kissed me properly and gone ‘Oh, wow, I was so misguided in my confusion. Never mind. Seriously not in love with you. That was like kissing my brother.’”
“So you would’ve kissed me back in the hopes I wouldn’t like it?”
“No, I’m saying I think that night would’ve happened differently if you hadn’t run away. And now, with so much missed time between us, I want …” What do I want? “I want to set the record straight.”
Denver snorts. “Pun intended?”
“There’s this weird vibe between us. I don’t know if it’s because we hurt each other or if it’s new, but I don’t want us to run away from it like last time. I … I need to know.”
“Need to know what?”
I lean in closer, just a tiny bit, and lower my voice to a whisper. “If I should’ve kissed you back.”
Denver sucks in a sharp breath. “Are you hoping I’ll feel nothing? Because if we’re doing this honesty thing, I have to say, I’m ninety-nine percent sure that won’t happen.”
My lips twitch in anticipation as I move in even closer. “Did you lie to me? Do you still have a thing for your ex-best friend?” The teasing in my voice is supposed to be playful. I might not pull it off.
Denver’s eyes fill with anger. “You better not be fucking with me.”
I shake my head. “I’m not. I want something to break this weird haze I have when it comes to you so we can move past it or explore it.”
“What weird haze?”
“I can’t … I can’t stop trying to make sense of you. Of us. It’s like I’ve always felt more but still not enough. And I know I make absolutely no sense right now, but that’s why I want to try that kiss again. Maybe this time I will get some clarity.”
“What happens if you kiss me, then I want more, and you still feel nothing?”
I pause. He makes a good point, damn it. I don’t want to make this worse.
What happens when it’s impossible to go back to being best friends but moving forward risks everything?
“We can work through it,” I say.
“Easy as that? What if—”
“Denny.” I give him my no bullshit look. “I’m asking you to kiss me.”
He hesitates. “I’m scared.”
“Of what?”
“What if I lose you again? I just got you back.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I never did. You’re the one who ran away. I’m here for you no matter what. I always have been, and I always will be.”
And if I’m right about my theory, this kiss will be different. I’m prepared for it. I’m going into this with an open mind.
I want this.
I think.
“Kiss me,” I demand.
Denver’s eyes flutter shut as he surges forward and touches his lips to mine.
Unlike last time, I welcome it. My heart thumps hard, and I’m sure he can hear it. I feel it everywhere. In my ears, in my cock. My whole body thrums.
I can’t say the answers come all at once because he’s not letting me sink into it. His mouth is warm but tentative, and I can’t say I blame him. His body is stiff, his lips hesitant.
I cup his head, my hand finally touching him, and I bring my other one around to hold him close to me. I flick my tongue against his lips, and Denver parts for me, letting me lick my way inside. Then he groans.