Page 86 of The Score

"For… what?"

"For making you uncomfortable." He purses his lips. "For touching you like that."

"I wasn't uncomfortable," I breathe.

Something flickers in his eyes. My lips part. Blood rushes in my ears.

I'm not uncomfortable, no. I'm aroused.

We've always been touchy-feely. When he caresses my face or kisses my temple, it feels good. It brings up warmth, and a deep sense of safety I love. The way his hand went up my leg just now was nothing like that. This time, his touch brought up a deep, powerful combustion to my insides. Even now, my body echoes the heat like embers, ready to turn ablaze at the merest breeze passing by.

I'm hypersensitized, because my best friend touched me in ways he never had before, and my body is alert and in need of more, and it seems like it should be a grand idea to mix friendship and pleasure for once.

"Good to know," he says.

His eyes drop to my mouth. For all the breathing exercises I've been doing of late, my lungs choose this moment to forget how to work.

I would have stayed frozen in the moment, if not for the way Bear clears his throat.

"You look beautiful, Pen." He frowns. "That's what I meant to say."

I gulp. I blink a few times. Belatedly, I'm the one with wandering eyes.

His black hair up and done into a casual, perfectly styled, side-swept top, with a wonderful fade at the temples. His well-manicured beard. His scar. His lips.

I take a deep breath.

There's also the tailored, bright blue suit, covering an expensive-looking blue t-shirt, in a shade only slightly darker than his coat. I'm halfway to touching his chest, just to make sure it's as soft as it seems, when I detour. I run a finger along his pocket square instead.

"Light and dark blue… houndstooth pattern?"

He nods. "I wanted something to break the solid blue."

"Not in case you go feral?"

"Feral?" The single word comes out of his mouth in such a way, I have to assume it's a question.

Otherwise, I would have to hear it like a challenge.

"The hound… and a hunter…" I try. "The baring of teeth."

Except— fuck it. I make a pass of my fingers over the lapels, and detour until I can place my hand on his chest. I glance at him, noting the intense way his dark eyes track me, before I follow the journey of my hand down his torso.

Yes. The shirt is as soft as I imagined. His body is large and comforting and strong, and I've always known that. But right now, it feels different. Charged.

I gaze up at him, studying him from under the ridge of my eyebrows.

"Are you uncomfortable, Leon?"

His nostrils flair. He doesn't answer, but shakes his head.

"Good," I say.

His eyes never leave me. "Do you like what you see?"

The question comes deep. Slow, like he's testing the words on his mouth. Purposeful.

My lips slant on a small smile. "You look incredibly handsome."

He nods. "We'll show off tonight. Afterwards, we'll come home with a new ring."

"Another one for the collection?"

He smirks, takes my hand, and leads me out of the room.

Not before I make a mental note to find that damn dildo, packed somewhere and boxed in Bear's basement most likely. I need to find a way to calm my body down, stat.

I'm slipping.