At first, we’d gone at it like the assignment it was, making a concerted effort to remember. But as dinner wore on, it became easier, natural. And while those touches had been completely PG, nothing more than what you’d expect a middle school kid to do, it had been sexy as hell.

Touching Parker while knowing it wouldn’t go further than that had gotten me so worked up, I was now aware of the smallest move she made. The woman would inhale and I’d be waiting to hear her exhale.

Firelight and the glow from the loft’s windows painted her skin in golds and oranges, highlighting the sweet curve of her cheek, the little pout of her lower lip. I liked her this way, all soft and easy and looking at me as though I was someone she wanted to know.

I touched a strand of her hair with the tip of my finger. “Tell me something.”

“Hmm?” She stayed languid, her head resting in her hand.

“You actually looking to hire a stripper or is it just a sexual fantasy you need help acting out?” Because I had to know what the hell that text had been about.

Parker’s eyes widened, then she blinked and laughed. I loved the way she laughed—light and carefree, her cheeks plumping and her eyes crinkling deeply at the corners.

“I totally forgot I’d texted you that.” Her hand landed softly on my thigh. I doubted she was even aware of doing it. But I was. I so fucking was. She smiled up at me. “My sister is getting married, and I’m in charge of the bachelorette.”

“Which of course needs strippers.” The thought of Parker and her uptown friends squealing over gym-toned, oiled-up guys gyrating in thongs had me grinning. Part of me couldn’t imagine her letting loose like that, but I wanted to see it happen—although preferably with me first.

I pushed lustful thoughts of Parker watching me strip firmly away. But I couldn’t stop staring at her. Under the string lights, she was all shadows, curves, and shining eyes.

“Honestly, my mother would probably die of embarrassment if we went through with it. Which is, admittedly, an incentive for my sister.” She laughed again, and the sound struck me right in the chest.

“You’re beautiful when you laugh.” The words came out in a husky rush. I shouldn’t have said them. But she stopped and stared, her lips parting as though I’d pleased her, and I couldn’t regret what I’d said.

Everything slowed down and the air thickened. My body grew heavy with need. She was so damned pretty. I wanted to touch that smile, run my hands over her golden skin.

Her gaze slid to my mouth, and my lower abs clenched tight. With a hitch to her breath, she spoke. “We should kiss now.”