Page 81 of Just Wait

“Oh,” she says sheepishly. “Well, it’s still soft. So, you know Ten, huh?”

“Yup,” I agree. “You do too, right? But from way back?”

I fight the urge to bounce my shoulder to give her the hint to get off me. Being touched feels nice, but I want those touches to be from Lumen.

“Unfortunately,” she says, popping the material of my shirt in her fingers. “Is he as much of a dick on the road as he’s always been?”

“Pretty much,” I admit with a laugh, my eyes migrating back to Lumen. She’s got her back to Mal’s chest as they grind together.

“Is that your girlfriend?”

“Nah, but I like her a lot,” I say, smiling like an idiot. “Like a fucking lot.”

“Aww, that’s cute.” The woman laughs. “She doesn’t look happy to see me touching you.”

She raises a hand, waving Lumen over.

She’s right.

Lumen has been all smiles, but that has faded to an impressive glare. She brushes Malcolm’s hands off her waist and skirts around the coffee table, coming to a stop near the couch.

“I was just trying to get dirt on Tennyson,” the random woman says, pushing herself off the sofa, then pointing at me. “You should touch his shirt. It’s really soft. He likes you.” With that, she takes off.

“I did say that.” I laugh, shaking my head.

“Jesus, you’re handsome when you smile.” Lumen sways forward, climbing onto my lap. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you really smile. Not until now.”

My hands fly to cup the backs of her thighs as she holds herself up on her knees.

Her soft fingers dig into my jaw as she cradles my face in her hands, studying me.

Her pupils are blown, and I bet mine are too.

“You’re so fucking pretty,” I murmur, running my thumbs over her soft skin. I could use being blitzed as a solid excuse for my loose tongue, but I’m always attracted to Lumen.

“That’s crazy.” Her head tilts, and a lopsided smile breaks out on her face. “I was just thinking about how handsome you are. Do you ever put hoops in your snake bites?”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Not often, but sometimes I swap them out for a curved barbell or horseshoe and tuck the other ball over the top of my lip.”

She drags her thumbs over my forehead and down my temples, brushing the tattoos that disappear into my hairline. “I never thought I would be attracted to face tattoos, but I love these.” She moves lower, and I shiver with how incredible her touch feels. “And how these peek up onto your jaw from your throat. Oh my god, your stubble is so pokey. I love it.”

I laugh, my head falling back against the couch cushion. Euphoria hits, and warmth pulses through my veins. Whoever picked the music deserves an award.

The couch bounces, and I open my eyes to find Malcolm hovering next to Lumen. He has one knee on the cushion next to us and a foot on the floor.

“You absolutely have to try this,” Malcolm says, shoving something up my nose.

“Jesus, man.” I laugh, pulling my hand up to block my other nostril.

“What is it?” Lumen asks.

“Heaven,” Malcolm says seriously. “It’s one of those mentholated inhalers. People use them when they’re sick.” He swaps to my other nostril, and my brain short-circuits as I inhale.

It’s like I can feel the music rushing through my veins, and I have the urge to get up and move.

“Do not blow that shit in anyone’s eyes, even if they ask,” I hear myself say. “People love it, but I’ve heard stories of it causing serious damage.”

“Uh, yeah, got it,” Malcolm says. “You good, baby doll?”