Page 32 of Defend Me
“You’re cool, Linc. We should hang out sometime.”
He looked surprised, but he played it cool and slung his arm over the back of the couch. Oh, how it would feel to be tucked under it. He was bigger than me in both height and build. It would be lovely.
“You wanna hang out,” he repeated.
“That’s what I said. And before you get any ideas, I’m locked in a little will-they-won’t-they thing, so I’m not trying to explore your body.”
I shouldn’t have said that. It not only gave him more than factual information, but it also opened my mind up to why the fuck that came out of my mouth.
My eyes slid over to where Tilian was talking with someone I didn’t know. If I did go for something more than casual, I’d be interested in that one over there. Then again, I could name a handful of people who fit into that category. There was nothing exceedingly different about him. It was just the way I felt when he was around- calm, quiet, and no expectations.
Tearing my gaze away, I gave myself a moment to enjoy the view that was Lincoln Porter, then shook my head. “You’re hot as fuck, but like I said, nothing like that.”
“Alright, Brooks. I’m officially intrigued.”
“Don’t ask.”
If he did, I’d probably tell him that I was losing the plot and to get myself back on track, I wanted to jump on his dick like the little slut I was. We could have something good and temporary.
No. I was just in a weird headspace right now. It was easy to drown it out with sex, but that pesky self-awareness was telling me not to do that.
Before I could consider it further, West dropped into my lap. He planted a firm kiss on my forehead and relaxed against me. With a sigh, I wrapped an arm around his middle and let him do his thing. He was like a giant puppy.
After a few minutes, I shoved him off of me. He was heavy and my eyes had caught on something I couldn’t get out of my head.
“Hey,” I said, coming up beside Tilian.
He looked freaked out, like I’d pulled him out of some deep thoughts.
“Are you scared of me again?”
When he started to smile, he ducked his head. I reached out to move his hair away from his face, which made him look at me again.
Linc saw too much good in people to the point that he’d give them chances to drain him. What was Tilian’s weakness?
Me?
That thought shouldn’t have made me smile and lean my shoulder against the wall next to him.
“You’re not scary,” he replied.
“What am I, Tilian?”
“Uh…” He matched my position so that we were facing each other. “Batshit.”
I scoffed and pushed his chest lightly. My fingers trailed down a few inches before I forced my hand to my side.
I had to stop flirting. This wasn’t the time, place, or person for it.
My eyes went to his Adam’s apple.I like to be choked. Why’d he have to tell me that? Why’d I have to ask?
“Come on. Let’s do some karaoke.”
His eyes widened. When I grabbed his hand, he planted his feet.
“Why not?” I asked with a laugh.
He held up his beer bottle. “I’ll smash this and cut my throat with it.”
