Page 97 of Except You

“Or we could just get married,” I suggest, a slight tease to my words, but as soon as they leave my mouth I realize that it’s not such a bad idea. People get married all the time.

His mouth closes and then opens again, his cheeks turning pink. “Fuck off, Max. What the fuck are you talking about?”

I swallow at the sound of his voice. Anger and a bit of spite. I have a feeling that I’ve fucked this up massively. And I don’t even know how.

“Are you teasing me right now? Because that’s what it sounds like, and it’s not nice, Max.”

I shake my head as he spins in my arms and tries to move away, but I hold on to him, not wanting him to leave.

“I was kind of teasing about the marriage thing, but not about the roommate situation. I’m dead serious about that. You could move in with me. At this point, you basically already live with me.”

“Good god. I’m not moving in with you,” he hisses and then shoves at my chest, forcing me a step back. His cheeks are flushed and his eyes a little wild. “And it’s a good thing the proposal was a joke because I’m sure as fuck not marrying you.”

My chest clenches at his rejection. “What? Why not?”

He huffs and then runs a hand through his hair. “I shouldn’t have to explain this to you. I swear to God, Max. You are dense sometimes.”

I wet my lips and reach for him once more, but he smacks my hands away. “No. No touching. You know I just melt when you do that.”

“Bow-tie,” I plead, but he just shakes his head.

“I’m going to go take a shower.”

When I move to follow him, he holds out his finger and shakes it at me. “Alone.”

My lips fall to a frown as I watch him turn and walk away. When the bedroom door shuts, I glance down at Doggo, who is standing, peering up at me.

“I know I fucked up, but I don’t know what I did wrong.”

He arches an eyebrow at me and then licks my crotch.

Beau’s in the shower for far too long, and I’m pacing outside the bathroom door waiting for him to reappear.

When it finally opens, he jumps back, startled at me looming in the doorjamb like a villain.

“Jesus, Max,” he breathes, pressing a hand against his bare chest.

“Sorry,” I say, and he huffs a soft laugh.

“What are you doing?”

“Waiting for you. I was worried you’d drowned in there.”

He shakes his head, a small smile on his face. “I was just thinking about things. I didn’t drown.”

“Good,” I say, wetting my lips as I take him in. He’s in only a towel, and my dick hardens at how hot he looks. He’s always so goddamn pretty. From the moment I laid eyes on him, I wanted him. I just didn’t realize it at that moment. I was too in my head, too confused, but now everything is crystal clear.

I want him.

My finger reaches out and traces a water drop around his belly button, loving the way his breath catches in his throat, the way his stomach contracts at my touch.

“Max,” he says softly. “The way you make me feel.”

My finger hooks beneath the edge of his towel and I tug it away from his body. He doesn’t stop me, and when the fabric pools at his feet, I step closer.

“I’ve been dying for you all day,” I admit, my hands sliding around his sides to his ass, cupping each cheek gently.

“Max,” he mutters, his face nuzzling my jaw. “Fuck me. I can’t stay mad at you.”