Free The KISS Principle (Erotic Romance) by Karen Booth Page B

molded herself
against him, even when she worried he might be preparing to say something she
didn’t want to hear.
    “Am I confusing you?”
    She felt her eyebrows knit together. “You are now.”
    “It’s just that when we talked about this last week, I
said that I thought we should just have fun. You know. Keep it simple.”
    Allie’s heart rose up into her throat. Why did I
have to complain about work? I never should’ve mentioned Ian. “Oh.” She
separated herself from him slightly and her shoulders felt as if they were
frozen. “I’m sorry. I know I’m not very fun all the time.”
    “What? No. That’s not what I’m saying. You’re very
fun. It’s just that being out there in the office with you, I wanted to show
you off and I realized that I haven’t done anything to give me the right to do
that. You’re so amazing. You deserve more than me just showing up on your
doorstep for dinner and sex.”
    She swallowed, her pulse racing. “I thought you wanted
to keep things loose.”
    “I do. I mean, I’m busy and you’re busy and it’s
easier that way, but then I see my brother undressing you with his eyes and I
want to kill him.”
    Her cheeks flooded with warmth. “That’s silly. He was
not.”
    “Yes, he was. So was Phil. And Mark in accounting.” He
shook his head. “Assholes. I’m sorry about that.” He tugged her closer. “Being
with you in that situation made me see how much I want you for myself. I know that
makes me sound like a macho jerk.”
    “No, it doesn’t. It’s sweet.” Goose bumps spread along
her arms as she considered his words. “Are you saying you want more? Because we
agreed that we would preserve our friendship above all.” Everything her sister
had said rang in her head. “Regardless, I think we need to clarify what we’re
doing.”
    He took a deep breath and peered into her eyes in a
way that made her feel transparent. “I want you and I don’t mean sex. I want to
be with you. You’re the only person I want to talk to at the end of the day.
You’re the only person I want to spend my weekends with. The question is what
do you want? Because none of that matters unless you’re happy.”
    Even with the pained tone of his voice, Allie felt the
crappiest parts of her day fall away. He wants to make me happy. No man
had ever said that to her. “I feel the same way. All I wanted to do after my
bad day was call you. I want to be with you too.”
    “Not just for sex, right?” He smiled wide and their
eyes connected. His chiseled features were so pleasing in the soft light of the
room. He tightened his grip on her waist and lowered his mouth to the corner of
hers. “Does this mean I get to call you my girlfriend?” He nuzzled her ear with
his nose.
    She wondered when the alarm clock would go off and
she’d wake from what felt like a very unlikely dream. If anyone had said that
she and Cooper would end up discussing a relationship, she would have sent them
to see a psychiatrist. “As long as I get to call you my boyfriend.”
    * * * * *
    Allie giggled when Cooper stumbled on the last stair
to the second floor of their building.
    “Is that funny?” he asked, towing her along with his
hand as he walked backward to her door.
    “Maybe. A little.” The most frustratingly innocent
look appeared on her face. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t laugh. You can’t help the
fact that you have gigantic feet.”
    He leaned against her door and pulled her close,
digging his hand into her silky hair. “You know what they say about guys with
big feet.”
    “They trip a lot?” Leaning into him, she raised her
chin. Her full, raspberry-pink lips were the most alluring invitation.
    “I might have to get you back for that one.” He
pressed his lips against hers and she rose to her tiptoes. Their tongues playfully
circled.
    “Mmm. Revenge sex. Sounds good. Would you like to come
inside or shall I undress you in the hall?” Allie whispered with hot breath
against his neck.
    The