Page 34 of Tongue-Tied
“No you wouldn’t.” He presses his shoulder against mine. “It’s fun and gets conversations going with total strangers. That’s the whole point, I suppose.”
“Conversations about sex?”
“Sometimes.” He averts his eyes as if remembering a particular hookup from the night. “Do you know your preferences yet?”
My face feels hot and not just from the fire. “I think I have a good enough idea.”
“Well, now my curiosity is piqued.”
“Maybe you’ll find out someday.” My eyes widen when I realize how that sounds. “I didn’t mean?—”
He smirks. “As your date, I’m flattered you’ve considered the idea.”
“What if, as my date, we’re not compatible sexually? Doesn’t that happen sometimes?”
“It does. Guess it helps that I enjoy topping, but I’m also vers,” he says with a wink.
For some reason, this conversation is making my dick plump. Christ. I really am inexperienced and horny. Dex talks about his sex life plenty, but in this context—with Dex referring to an imaginary hookup with me as his date—it not only feels strange but also arousing.
I try for a change of subject. “How come you never told me about the color-coded thing?”
“I don’t know. You don’t tell me everything either. Dildo Baggins, for example.”
“Shut up!” I look around as I shush him. “You know I’m not as comfortable talking openly about that stuff as you are.”
“You’re right. Sorry.” He pulls on my arm. “How about I make it up to you by showing you my dance moves?”
I look over at the students improvising in the sand.
“Uh, that wasn’t part of the deal,” I point out.
“Our dating parameters weren’t that explicit.” He pumps his eyebrows. “Come on, it’ll give you practice. Just follow my lead.”
He steers me toward the others enjoying the emotional ballad, and I don’t protest because the truth is, my curiosity is piqued. He takes my hands and places them on his shoulders before winding his own around my waist. My skin prickles as he starts swaying. “See how easy it is? Just move your feet side to side.”
Before I know it, I’m slow-dancing with Dex, and all my senses are on overload. Especially when he pulls me closer and I feel his breath against my neck. It dawns on me how hyperaware of him I am tonight. I know he’s only playacting, but this feels really fucking intimate to me.
When the song ends, I step back and break our hold. “I think I need some space.”
I head toward the water’s edge, sucking in fresh air as I go.
Just as I wonder how I’m supposed to explain my behavior to Dex, he appears behind me. “I’m sorry if I did something to upset you.”
“You didn’t.” I sigh. “I just want that with someone so badly that only pretending felt overwhelming.”
“I know you do. We don’t have to do this anymore.”
My heart thumps hard. “What if I like it? Fuck, my emotions are all over the place.”
“It’s okay. Mind if I hug you?” He holds out his arms, and I step into his embrace even though it was the very reason I needed some space to begin with. Guess I’m a glutton for punishment. Or I just can’t pass up being held by a guy, even if he’s my best friend. Or maybe I should say, especially when it’s my best friend because it always feels nice with him.
We’ve hugged plenty of times before and have even fallen asleep in the same bed, but with the added tension of the night, it feels too damned good. Between this and the slow-dancing, I’m not sure I can handle much more. But I also know he doesn’t really understand that it’s his closeness and touch that’s sending me over the edge.
He kisses the side of my head. “I was only trying to help you feel more comfortable for when this actually happens.”
“But it won’t,” I say into his shoulder.
“Yes, it will.” He rubs my back in soothing circles. “And you’ll slay.”