“What are you so happy about?” I asked.

“I get to spend more time with my Sugar Bottom,” he said while having the audacity to reach behind me and give my ass a pinch. “Nice kiss, by the way. I don’t think the crowd could hear those moans, though. Were those just for me?”

I might actually kill him. It would solve my problem, at least temporarily. My parents wouldn’t try to set me up if I was mourning the tragic loss of my boyfriend.

13

DEAN

I’d showered, much to Pearl’s annoyance, and changed into boxers and an undershirt. My head was filled with the events of the day while I raked out my wet hair with my fingertips and then brushed my teeth.

Mostly, I thought about the kisses. Fuck. Those kisses had been something else. Every time I tried to tell myself this was all just a little fun, I went back to the moments when her lips were on mine. I thought about how good it felt to have her full attention like that–to make those sexy little moans spill out of her mouth.

There weren’t many certainties in life. Famously, I think they always said death and taxes were the only two. But I might have to formally add one to the mix, because I certainly wanted to fuck Pearl Moreno. Just after a day with her, I felt like a kid in a candy shop who had been allowed to sample the finest candy only to watch it go back behind the display case. Worse, the shop owner kept reminding me I wasn’t allowed to touch it.

All my life, I’d been touching shit I wasn’t allowed to touch. How was I supposed to stop now?

I took a deep breath, tried to calm myself, and walked out into the room.

Pearl had a book up and was wearing reading glasses. Adorable. She eyed me over the frames like a weirdly sexy little old lady. “Where are you going?” she asked.

“To my side of the bed.”

She set the book down. “Oh hell no.”

I paused at the foot of the bed, raising my palms and looking around the room. “Did you expect me to sleep on the floor? Or maybe that table there?”

“How about the couch?”

I laughed. “I’m six foot four, Pearl. Watch.” I went over to the couch and tried to lay down. One armrest was behind the back of my knees and the other was jabbing painfully between my shoulderblades. “This is like a couch for ants. Even you wouldn’t fit.”

She folded her arms. “Not if you try to lay all stretched out like that.”

I got up, rubbing my back. “We’re both adults, Pearl. I’m not sleeping on that couch. I’m definitely not sleeping on the floor. This is a king sized bed and I’ll promise to keep on my side if you do.”

She looked like she wanted to argue, but she lifted her book again and sighed. “Fine. But if you come over to my side, I swear on everything holy I will smother you in your sleep.”