Page 95 of The Singles Club

He laughed deeper this time. “Did you just say ‘tooted’? ‘Toot,’ as in a train whistle?”

I pursed my mouth, trying not to smile. “I don’t like the other word. It’s uncouth.”

“Then ‘toot’ it is.”

I playfully shoved him, and he pulled me closer to him. His finger traced my chin as he guided me to look in his eyes. “You’re adorable, you know that.”

“I’ve been demoted from sexy to adorable now?” I teased.

“You are incredibly sexy, funny, kind,andadorable.” He kissed my lips, so soft and tender that it felt like a warm breeze brushing over me.

He grabbed the pillow I threw at him and placed it at the end of the couch, then lay down on his side and opened his arms. “Come here.”

“What?”

“You’re not into cuddling?”

I tugged at my necklace. “No. I mean, yes, but from my experience, cuddling leads to…otherthings.”

He propped himself up on his elbow. “When is the last time you’ve been held by a man where it didn’t lead to sex?”

I shrugged. I couldn’t think of one. Lucas was the cuddling type, but I always made it out to be sexual in the end. Isn’t that what men wanted? Why else would they cuddle?

“You like cuddling just for the sake of cuddling?” I asked.

“Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy sex… but I also enjoy affection, and holding someone and wanting to be held is an expression of that.” His smile was a bit sadder than before, as if he felt sorry for me. “We don’t have to if it makes you uncomfortable. It’s okay.”

“No. I’d like to try… with you.” I lay down in front of him, and he tucked the pillow under my head before wrapping an arm around me. I pressed my back to his chest and pushed away images of what this would feel like naked. He looked down at me, his eyes filled with so much warmth as he stroked the top of my head, gently running his hands through my hair.

The feeling it ignited was soothing. Peaceful. Cozy.

I wrapped my arm around his, pressing closer.

I could really get used to this cuddling thing.

* * *

Justin

I woke to Vivian still in my arms. The heat of her body and her slow rhythmic breaths felt good against my chest. I nuzzled my face in her soft curls. The scent was light and floral, reminding me of something tropical and exotic. It had been a long time since I’d held anyone like this, and I had forgotten how much I’d missed it. That feeling of blissful peace.

I ran my hand along her arm. “Vivian,” I whispered, “wake up.”

She stretched into me, turning on her back, eyes fluttering open. “Is it morning?”

“No, we fell asleep watching the movie.” I swiped a curl off her forehead, smoothing it back. “The bed is a lot more comfortable.”

“This is very comfortable.”

I smiled down at her. “I can hold you under the covers, too. Your head resting on a soft pillow as you drift back to sleep…”

“That does sound good.”

I gently pulled my arm from under her head, and she sat up. After shutting off the TV, I took her hand in mine. “Be careful of the coffee table.”

“I’ll follow your lead.” She clutched onto the end of my T-shirt as I guided her toward the bedroom. I turned down the bed and fluffed her pillow. “Would you like a glass of water or anything?”

She climbed in, still half asleep. “No, thank you.”