The bed dips as he sits and stretches across the mattress on his side. “So, what should we do tonight?”
“I was going to sleep.”
His brow rises with a hint of mischief. “Are you accepting applicants to join you?”
“Leighton.” I draw out his name, pretending I want nothing of the sort, when in reality there’s no need to apply. He’d be hired on the spot.
“What? Just saying. I’m interested. And I’ve been told I make a great cuddler.”
“Cuddling?” I chuckle, shaking my head. “You list that on the application?”
“Hell, yeah. Right next to gives good oral and open to kinky shit, and underneath always uses protection.”
Lord. My body tingles with the thought and I can feel a blush move up my chest. I school my features so I don’t give away the surge of desire rushing through my veins. “Regular Prince Charming.”
He laughs. “You’re fun to tease. I can see why Austin does it all the time.”
Teasing. Because he’s really not that into you.
He holds a hand up before I can reply. “Mostly teasing . . . I actually undersold my cunnilingus abilities. I’m quite the stud in that department.”
Oh. The breath whooshes from my chest and my entire body comes to attention. “Do you . . . ?” I bite at my lower lip and drop my gaze to the bedding, tracing my fingernail along the white sheets. “Do you have a lot of experience with that? To be able to list your advanced oral on a resume like that?”
“You’re adorable when you blush.” He pushes up onto his elbow and reaches for me with his other arm. The pad of his thumb brushes over my cheek, lingering as his voice drops to barely a whisper. “It starts at your cheeks, at least I think it does, but I’d be okay with going shirtless to confirm.”
“Stop.” I swat his hand away and set my mostly full glass of champagne on the nightstand. It gives me time to relax my nerves. He has no clue the feelings that stir in my gut when he does stuff like that. How one playful touch lights my skin on fire with an ache for more. I take one of the pillows and hug it to my chest before facing him again. “I was asking a serious question.”
“You want to know how I got good at eating pussy.” His brows shoot up and that damn smirk tells me how entertaining he finds my question.
I don’t need a mirror. My cheeks heat to the point they must match my hair. “Screw you!” I lift the pillow and toss it at his head, but he only catches it and laughs.
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself.” He settles back on his side and I mirror the movement so we’re facing each other. He levels his stare and swallows, his strong jaw working back and forth. There’s no longer a hint of humor in his gaze. “Serious answer. Something I don’t love to share, because, well, it’s not as impressive as the alternative.”
His response piques my interest. “I’m waiting.”
He winces. “I watched a lot of porn.”
“Oh.” It’s the only response I can muster as my body comes alive again with a flood of desire. Why is the thought of that so hot? It shouldn’t be.
“Yeah, mostly amateur stuff. Those women don’t fake orgasms as much, so I figured it was the place to start. And, well, ever since I started applying my research to actual partners . . . ” His gaze lifts from the space between us to my stare. “I haven’t had an unsatisfied customer yet.”
“That’s . . . ” Sexy. Hot.
“Pathetic?” he offers, scrunching up his nose.
“I was going to say resourceful.” I bite my lip, because maybe he’s onto something. One of the worries I have about sex, once I find a partner I want to share the experience with, is that I won’t know what the hell I’m doing. “Maybe I should . . .” I catch myself before the rest of the words tumble from my mouth.
“What was that?” He tilts his chin with his gaze.
My face heats with the fire of a thousand suns and I can’t look him in the eye.
“Opal. Oh, Opal . . .” The way he says my name only makes this more embarrassing. “Are those naughty thoughts going through that gorgeous head of yours? Because I’m gonna need you to share.”
I scoff and meet his gaze. “I’m not telling you anything.”
“Come on, please? I’ve always wanted to get inside you.” He coughs and clears his throat. “Your head, that is.”
“Mmm hmm.” Eying him suspiciously, he only laughs.
“I swear it. Tell me, Opal. I’ll keep your secret.”