Page 122 of Only With Me

“Harlow?”

I beg my head to catch up so I can say the right thing, but the longer I say nothing at all, the more awkward it gets.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

Finally, I blink away the fog and shake my head.

“S-sorry. You…I…” I swallow again because my throat’s gone dry. “I wasn’t expectin’ that and am tryin’ to find the right words to say.”

He lowers his gaze as if he anticipates something bad. “Say whatever you feel.”

“I feel…like you could do so much better than me.”

He tilts his head, narrowing his eyes as they meet mine. “Why would you think that?”

“I’ve crushed on you for a while, but in the way someone crushes on a famous singer—not someone who’s within arm’s reach and could like you back. You have so much more to offer than I could give you in return.”

“I don’t agree with that. But you didn’t know I liked you?”

“I mean, Natalie suggested that you did, but I told her she was wrong. I thought you were just being helpful and friendly.”

The corner of his lips tilts up in amusement. “Natalie was not wrong. Although I was being helpful, I’m not usually thisfriendlywith girls I don’t like.”

“Dammit, she’s gonna love rubbin’ that in my face.” I laugh, then ask him the million-dollar question. “Why haven’t you kissed me?”

“I was tryin’ not to cross the line between teachin’ you the things you asked and makin’ things intimate between us in a way that a couple would be,” he explains. “I also didn’t wanna steal your first kiss if you didn’t have the same feelings toward me.”

“Ionlyhave feelings for you…like…a lot of ‘em,” I admit shyly.

He blows out a breath of relief, grinning. “Good…then get back in my lap so I can kiss you the way you deserve.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Waylon

The weight of uncertainty finally lifts off my shoulders, so when Harlow is seated in my lap, I pull her into me without hesitation.

“You’re so beautiful and perfect,” I whisper, stroking my thumb over her cheek.

“I’d argue about the perfect part,” she sasses.

“Perfect forme,” I clarify, brushing the strands of loose hair behind her ear. “Do you need me to talk you through this?”

I’m only half-teasing, but I want this to be a good experience for her and to make sure she’s comfortable even though we’ve done far more than kissing at this point.

“I think I’ll be okay. Take the lead, and I’ll follow,” she says confidently.

Slowly, I lean in closer, but not quite touching. My hand slides around her neck and up into her hair. Pressing my forehead to hers, I inhale her scent and breathe her in.

Her chest presses into mine with every deep exhale, and I know she’s anxiously waiting.

“Harlow…” I say her name gently, hoping it calms her nerves. “Wrap your arms around me.”

She slides her hands up my shoulders and around my head, then grips her fingers into my hair.

I love the feel of her hands on me, touching me, craving me as much as I crave her.

Our breaths mingle together before I tilt her head back and then glide my lips over her soft ones. I move against her, slowly at first, and then she kisses me back with fervor.