So, he still isn’t completely uncovered to me.

The effect is intense curiosity on my part. I want to pull the shirt off, so I can admire every piece of the artwork. Ben is such a calm, put-together, albeit snarky person for the most part. But, under that well-dressed armor, there’s this hidden side. His passionate side. The concealed artist. I suddenly need to see that part of him even if I only get a glimpse tonight.

“I just wanted to say good night.” He leans forward, like maybe he’ll give me a chaste kiss on my forehead.

Brace yourself, buddy. I’m no delicate rose.

Stepping backward, I grab a fistful of his shirt and drag him with me. Off-balance, Ben stumbles forward.

My finger points to the bed. “You’re sleeping here tonight. With me.”

Quickly, I lean around him to push the door shut. Having told him the way of things, I walk to the bed and slip under the covers. Then, I hold up the blanket for him to join me. Ben stands in the middle of the room, eyes wide, mouth slack.

“Hurry. I’m getting cold.” But the shiver that runs through my body isn’t from the chilly air. The idea of having him pressed up against me all night is the source of the quivering.

Either way, it gets his feet moving. He sets his glasses on the table, and the bed dips slightly as he settles down next to me.

We lie, facing each other, not touching. Yet.

“Can you see me without those?”

We’re less than a foot apart, and his green eyes seem like they’re focused on my face.

Ben grins. “Nope. You’re just a blurry mass. You could be Jasper or a grizzly bear for all I know.”

“I’d hope my blurry mass is slightly smaller than a bear’s.” Then, I stick my tongue out at him and watch his eyes fall to my mouth, growing hot. I gasp in mock outrage. “You liar! You can totally see me!”

“No! I definitely can’t!” He shakes his head, grinning all the while. “Is that you, Holly?” His hand comes out from under the covers and lands on my face.

I snort as he plays. Then, I grab his rough palm and place a firm kiss right in the middle of it. At the affectionate gesture, Ben goes still, watching me. The intense scrutiny makes me bite my lip. His playful expression turns serious with a wrinkle above his eyebrows that I want to smooth out.

“We don’t have to do this, Holly.”

I roll my eyes but smile at his reassuring words. “I know. I want to. Do you?”

“Do I want to do what exactly?”

“Hmm. Parameters. Good idea.” Organization has always been my strong suit. I like clearly laid-out rules and plans. Why wouldn’t I appreciate that in a relationship, too? “Tonight is just the exploratory phase.”

“Exploratory phase?” He sounds confused, even as he grins at me.

“That’s right. Exploration. For example”—I prop myself up on an elbow, hovering over him—“I want to explore your mouth.”