Page 112 of Lessons in Chemistry

In a show-home kind of way. The walls have been painted in stone brown, and there’s a thick beige carpet. A large leather sofa dominates the room, and a huge TV takes up the wall where a fireplace used to be. Auggie hasn’t personalised the space at all. If he hadn’t told me this was his house, I’d have thought a middle-aged couple lived here.

Auggie rubs the back of his neck. “It’s perfect for parties, although my parents disapprove of me throwing those. My neighbours aren’t a huge fan either.”

I frown. “I know you invited us to a party when we first met, but you haven’t had one since, have you?”

Auggie threads his forefingers through my belt loops. “No.”

My frown deepens. “If you enjoy them—”

He silences me with a kiss. “I haven’t wanted to. I haven’t felt like anything’s been missing recently.”

I widen my eyes. “But you did before?”

He pecks my lips. “All the damn time. I don’t know what it is about you, nerd boy, or our loveable jock, but being with you makes me feel—” He purses his lips and looks at the ceiling. “Settled.”

I stare at him while my heart beats fast enough to power a lightbulb.

“What?”

I shake my head, put my hand on his nape, and tug him to me for a kiss that rocks me to my core. It’s the only way I can show him what his words mean to me.

“Wow. I like this version of you. You can kiss me like that whenever you want.”

My face ignites.

He tucks his knuckle under my chin. “Aw, don’t be embarrassed. It was amazing. You should be assertive more often.”

“I’ll try.”

He grins. “When will Casey get here?”

I check my watch. “He has a lecture until five, so he’ll be an hour at least.”

“Damn. I’ll have to think of a way to keep you away from those presents.”

“I’ll be good.”

“Did I say anything about you being good?”

“I meant I’ll be good and not touch my presents.”

“That’s okay, then. Does that mean you want to be naughty in other ways while we wait?”

I dip my gaze and bite my bottom lip. “I was wondering if—” I stumble over my words as my tongue ties itself in knots. My face gets hotter. “If you might— If you would—”

Auggie kisses me. “Does that help?”

“No, but it was nice. Would you teach me how to suck your cock?” My request rushes out as a connected jumble that’s probably impossible to decipher.

Auggie’s eyebrows climb upwards and disappear beneath his messy hair.

“Please?”

He steps back and does an elaborate bow that wouldn’t be amiss at a fairy tale ball. “It would be my pleasure. But first—” He scoops his phone out of his pocket and spends a few seconds searching for something. “I got tested earlier this week. For STDs. I slept around a lot before I met you. While I did use condoms, there’s always a risk. I wanted to know that my test status was negative for whenever you decided you wanted to do more sexy stuff. Like sucking my cock.”

And my cheeks are burning again.

He turns his phone around, showing me the results. “I’ll still wear a condom if you want me to.”