Page 25 of Merry & Bright

“Are you kidding?” My laugh was astonished. “I noticed you. I just never imagined you’d be interested in me.”

“Why not?”

“Have you looked in a mirror lately?”

That lip-quirking smile kicked up again. Fuck, it was charming. I wanted to kiss the corner of that smile.

“You think I look good?” he asked, eyeing me, his voice lower, deeper.

I raised a brow. “You donotneed me to tell you the answer to that question.”

“Actually,” he said seriously, his smile fading a little. “I think I do.”

My mouth was dry, my heart thumping a rapid tattoo. “Okay,” I began shakily, somehow managing to hold his gaze. “I think you look really—reallygood.”

He leaned closer, so close I could feel his breath against my face. “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” I breathed back, my eyes on his.

“Good enough to kiss?”

By way of answer, I slid my hand behind his neck and pulled him to me.

I got my wish about kissing that smile. As soon as our lips touched, his quirked up, just for a moment, curving beneath my lips. And then his hand was sliding into my hair, cupping the back of my neck, and he was deepening the kiss, lips parting, tongue delicately touching my own, startling a gasp out of me.

That quick, my cock was hard, stiffening almost painfully in my jeans, making me shift in my seat in an attempt to ease the pressure. Rob muscled closer, fiddling with the zip of my bomber jacket, parting the sides to slide his big hands inside and up over my ribs, kissing me all the while. His touch was firm and possessive and the growl he gave as I plastered myself against him made me shiver.

When we finally broke apart, we were both breathing hard and Rob’s eyes were glittering.

“So,” I said slowly. “Do you fancy coming back to mine?”

Rob smiled again.

Chapter Nine

When I pushed openthe front door of my flat, it was to find the place dark and silent and very empty. Freddy was still out, thank God. I flicked on the lights, and Rob strolled past me, his gaze curious.