Page 36 of Infatuation (The Josh & Kat Trilogy #1)

Josh’s eyes are locked with mine. I squint at him, and he returns the gesture.

“Why don’t you just show her, bro?” Josh says, still looking at me. “That’s the simplest way for us to approach this.”

My face involuntarily morphs into a “what the fuck” look.

“You don’t mind, do you, Kat?” Josh asks evenly.

“You mean... you want me to . . .?” Henn asks.

“Yeah, why not?” Josh says. “Unless, of course, Kat’s gonna require you to reveal all your secrets in order to kiss her?”

I narrow my eyes at Josh and then whip my head to look at Henn. “I think it’s a great idea for you to kiss me. How else are we gonna know if you’ve got the right technique?”

Henn’s face is bright red. “I don’t think this is such a good idea, guys. ”

“Why the fuck not?” I say. I look at Josh with defiance. “It’s just for instructional purposes, right? No big deal.” Josh isn’t really gonna let me kiss another man in his presence, is he—even if it’s just Henn? Even if it’s just for “instructional purposes”?

“I agree,” Josh says, clenching his jaw.

I open my mouth, horrified. What the fuck ? He’s gotta be bluffing.

“The woman obviously places a shit-ton of importance on kissing,” Josh continues. “So I’m sure her feedback will be invaluable to you.” His eyes are searing holes into my flesh.

There’s no way he’s gonna let me go through with this, right?

“No, it’s too weird,” Henn says. “I mean, you two guys are a couple... right?”

“Josh and me?” I say through gritted teeth. “Noooo. Josh and I haven’t even kissed—and we’ve mutually decided we’re not going to. Ever. We just don’t see eye to eye on certain things . ”

Josh swallows hard, his eyes burning. “Kat’s right. We’re never going to kiss because she’s a fucking terrorist who takes some sort of sick pleasure in holding men hostage for ransom she has no business demanding.”

“What am I missing here?” Henn asks. “What’s going on with you two?”

“Nothing’s going on, like I said. Josh and I are just friends—friends who don’t tell each other everything, and therefore don’t kiss.”

Henn looks confused. “You require someone to tell you ‘everything’ just to kiss you? What does that mean?”

“Nothing. Not everything. Just certain things.” I clear my throat. “Things I’d tell if the situation were reversed.”

Henn and Josh exchange a look.

I look down, color rising in my cheeks. Is Josh really gonna watch me kiss another man?

“Go ahead, Henn,” Josh says. “ YOLO. ”

I swivel my head up to look at Josh. He looks like he wants to kill me right now—right after he fucks the living hell out of me.

Well, if he’s not gonna stop me, then I’m not gonna stop me, either.

Is Josh really not gonna stop me ?

I look at Josh. He’s glaring at me. I look at Henn. He looks utterly confused.

“Okay, Henn,” I say. “Gimme your best kiss. I’ll critique you from the field. And, Josh, you watch closely from the nose-bleed seats so you can give Henn your feedback, too.”

Josh doesn’t reply.

“Did you hear me, Josh? I want you to watch Henn kiss me—watch closely .”

“I heard you, Madame Terrorist.”

Henn looks at Josh, seemingly for permission.

“Go ahead,” Josh says. “Kiss her. She’s all yours.” He exhales and leans back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.

He’s really not gonna stop me? Goddammit! I feel like stomping my feet, I’m so mad. Doesn’t he realize this whole thing’s not about his stupid application anymore? We’re way beyond that now. Now it’s about something more—something bigger.

“Kat?” Henn asks. “Are you okay?”

I wipe my eyes, emotion threatening. I don’t look at Josh—I can’t.

I’m afraid if I do, my eyes will betray every last thought bouncing around in my head.

I want him. I want him so bad, I’m aching.

But I want all of him. Not just his lips or his very large dick.

I want to know what’s hiding beneath his Happy Josh mask. “Yeah, I’m fine. Let’s do this,” I say.

“You’re sure you’re cool with it?” Henn asks me.

“Yeah. I’m sure.” I stand. “I can’t think of a single reason not to.”

I can feel Josh’s eyes on me, but I don’t look at him.

Henn stands slowly.

“And you’re cool, Josh?”

“Yup.”

My chest is tight. I still can’t look at Josh. “Okay,” I say. “Gimme your top-of-the-line smooch, Henny. Hit me with your best shot.”

Henn takes a slow step toward me. “You’re sure?”

“I’m sure.” I put my finger up. “Just for instructional purposes, though.”

“Yeah, I know.” Henn exhales. “Should I go brush my teeth first? Have a mint? ”

“Did you eat onions or garlic recently?”

“No. Chocolate cake, apple pie, cheesecake, ice cream. Oh, and tiramisu.”

“We’re good, then.”

He exhales and shakes out his arms. “Whew. Okay.”

Henn takes another step toward me. And then another.

But then he stops. He glances at Josh—but since I can’t bring myself to look at Josh’s face right now, I have no idea what Henn is seeing over there.

Whatever it is, Henn obviously feels emboldened by it, because he turns back to me and takes another step, bridging the final gap between our bodies.

Henn cups my face gently in his palms and leans forward.

I close my eyes and, within half a second, Henn’s soft, warm lips meet mine, gently at first—as if he’s introducing himself to me—and after a few seconds, coax my mouth open with surprising confidence and skill.

He slides his tongue into my mouth, instantly leading my tongue into a sensuous, languid, swirling motion—until, after one last flicker of his tongue, his lips guide mine closed and he retreats.

Henn’s lips leave mine. Kiss over.

Holy shitballs.

I open my eyes to find Henn staring at me, his eyes wide and face red.

I glance at Josh, my cheeks suddenly blazing with heat, and my breath catches at the ferocious expression on his face.

I don’t know Josh well enough to understand exactly what emotion he’s telegraphing right now—is that anger, arousal, jealousy.

.. or something else? Whatever it is, it’s clear to me the man is feeling something fueled by a shit-ton of testosterone.

“I... That was... um . . .” I stammer. “Wow, Henn.” I swallow hard. “I don’t think you need... any... instruction whatsoever.”