Page 19 of Tasting Innocence
However, because I’m not stupid, and because I know Dex fairly well, I’m aware of the fact that he’s a guy who’s been unwilling to commit to anyone. He’s never had a serious girlfriend. Ever. I’ve heard him talk about these things with my brother. He has conquests, friends-with-benefits, one-night stands, and meaningless hookups. For whatever reason, he’s not a relationship kind of guy. So to hear him say these things to me is confusing.
“Of course I like you, Dex,” I reply, tilting my head and averting my eyes for fear the blush in my cheeks will burn so hot my whole head will burst into flames.
His fingers graze the underside of my chin, bringing my nervous gaze back to his. “Do you like me like...a brother? Or do you like me like…”
My quivering breath catches, waiting to hear what he says next. A boyfriend? A lover? “Like what?” I ask in a whisper.
Dex moves in closer, and I lick my lips, readying them for his. “You tell me.”
“Not like a brother,” I respond quietly.
His free hand moves to my lower back and I inhale sharply as he brings our bodies closer. “Good.”
His lips barely graze mine and my eyes aren’t even fully closed when a loud bang, followed by laughter slices through the silence and breaks us apart.
Trevor and someone else are in his room now, and as much as I’d love to have my first proper kiss with Dex, I suppose we do need to be saved before they leave.
“Until later?” he asks quietly.
I smile. “Later. Definitely.”
He moves to the crack in the wall, peeking inside. “Hey, Trev! Trevor!” he yells, pounding his fist against the wall.
“What the hell?” Trevor questions.
“It’s Dex. Me and Vi are stuck in here.”
“Stuck in my wall?”
I laugh.
“There’s a whole room back here. I’ll explain later. Can you find a way to get us out?”
“Hold on.”
Dex steps away, looking at me with a grin. “Looks like we should be rescued soon.”
“That’s too bad.”
“Is it?” he asks playfully.
I shrug, smiling. “You’ve been waiting a long time to kiss me,” I tease, acting like I haven’t been waiting for the same thing. “Now you have to wait longer.”
He bites down on his lip, making my stomach clench. “I think it’ll be worth the wait.”
“You guys there?” Trevor calls out.
“Yeah,” I reply.
“There’s no knob or handle, but—”
“What about this?” another voice asks.
“Oh, wait,” Trevor says.
Something seems to scrape across the floor before I hear clattering on the other side of the wall. Slowly, the light grows bigger as Trevor pulls open the hidden door.
I step into his room first, followed by Dex.