“Maybe, maybe not. Or maybe I’m like a lot of folks out there with a headful of shit they can’t use while trying to make sense of whatever’s left.” I shrugged nonchalantly. “Hey, we’re getting dangerously close to intellectual overload. I thought you wanted pointers on how to flirt like a pro.”
“That was your idea,” he huffed. “I’m the observer, remember?”
“I remember. But here’s something you might be able to use for your ‘research’ in one reliable acronym…CBS. Confidence, bravery, and sincerity. If you’re confident, brave, and sincere, you can’t go wrong.”
“I could probably go wrong.”
“No way. Confidence gives an impression of self-possession and sometimes makes people think you’re more courageous than you’re feeling at any given moment. And sincerity is the magical ingredient that plenty of folks simply can’t wrap their brains around. If you confidently and bravely walk up to a hot dude and feed them some bullshit line, you’ll come across as a creep or a player. If you mean what you say, you’re golden. Should come naturally to you. You’re not a creep, and you don’t seem like a player.” I narrowed my gaze. “Are you?”
“A player? Me? I know how to play the piano and the recorder. Does that count?”
I chuckled. “In this case, no. If you falter on C, B, or S, you’ll probably still do okay. Two, or worse—all three…you’re toast.”
Cody nodded as he pulled out his cell and typed a few notes. “Got it. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Give me one shot before I go.” I motioned for him to start talking.
“A flirting shot. Okay.” He licked his lips nervously, then shook his head. “I can’t. Everything I’m thinking is…rude.”
I barked a quick laugh. “You have my complete and undivided attention. Bring it on.”
“Um…your jeans look tight. I can’t wait for you to stand up so I can see your ass. But I’d love to see your ass out of them too.”
I bit back a grin. “Okay. That was direct and kinda hot, but do not under any circumstances try that with anyone else on planet Earth.”
“Too much?”
“A tad.” I squeezed his shoulder as I stood. “Keep practicing. It was nice to meet you, Cody.”
“You too. I’ll walk out with you. I’ve done enough research tonight.”
I nodded, then led the way to the exit, holding the door open for him. I stepped outside and gazed up at the fast-moving clouds drifting over the half-moon before turning toward my new acquaintance. Cody pulled his keys from his pocket and smiled.
“Where’d you park?” I asked.
“Over there.” He gestured at the black Mini Cooper at the far end of the lot mostly hidden in shadows.
My chivalrous side kicked in out of the blue. “I’ll walk you to your car. I’m heading that way.”
Cody beamed at me. “Thank you. Are you working early tomorrow?”
“No, why you do ask?”
“I’m making polite conversation. No flirtation whatsoever. Although I was mulling over our earlier discussion and realized you’re guilty of double standards.”
“How so?”
“Earlier you said…and I quote, ‘I’d do you.’ You added something about doing ‘it’ over a bar, a table, etcetera. Ring any bells?” He pointed his key fob at his car and gave a satisfied nod when it beeped on cue.
I squinted warily. “Yeah, but—”
“When I told you I wanted to see your posterior in your Levi’s, I was somehow out of line. The logic confuses me. Why should you be able to say what you’re thinking, and I can’t?” He came to a stop at the driver’s side of his car and crossed his arms, silently issuing a challenge of some kind.
“Now that you mention it, I suppose that does seem unfair.” I scratched my beard thoughtfully, then turned around to show off my denim-clad ass. “Ta-da! I present my posterior.”
Cody snickered. “Very nice.”
“Glad you approve.” I pivoted to face him and fumbled with my belt. “I guess I could show you the whole kit and caboodle…or caboose.”
“No, no. Let’s not ask for trouble.”
I raised my hands in surrender. “If you say so.”
“I do. Kiss me instead.”
“Excuse me?”
He pursed his lips, looking uncomfortable as hell. To his credit, he didn’t back down. “You heard me.”
The husky note in his voice zipped through my veins like a secret elixir. The sudden onslaught of need and desire was a powerful combo. I stepped closer, wedging myself between him and the Prius parked next to his car. I was at least four inches taller than Cody and much bigger. I could squish him like a bug. I wouldn’t. I wasn’t that kind of guy, but he didn’t know that. He should be careful around men like me.
“Why?”
“Because I might never meet anyone like you again. If I do, I might not be confident, brave, or sincere enough to tell him what I want. I feel like this might be a chance I should take. I understand if you say no. I’m not your type. I get it. I’m not sure why you talked to me at all tonight. Or why—”
I curled my fingers around the back of his neck and sealed my lips to his.
So what happened to my gentlemanly resolve to not corrupt a nerdy, adorable dude barking up the wrong tree for some sexy action? I had no fucking clue.
I suspected the same misguided protective instinct that told me to walk him to his car was responsible. And I also wanted to stop that nonsense about “my type,” as if I were out of his league, when in fact the opposite was true. He deserved better than someone like me. Someday he’d find that guy. In the meantime, I was only human. And it was just a kiss…nothing more than a press of lips in the moonlight between strangers.
Until he slinked his arms around my waist and slipped his tongue inside, gliding it alongside mine. I released a feral-sounding moan as I took over, instinctively pulling him against my chest and slanting my mouth over his to deepen the connection. Our make-out session started out sweet and languid. An equal exploratory give-and-take with soft sighs and gentle caresses. He splayed his hands over my back, letting them drift to my ass. He hooked his thumbs in my pockets and rested them there. I kissed, licked, and sucked at his tongue and his lips fervently. Any second now, he’d squeeze my butt and change course. The anticipation nearly killed me.
I did my best to keep my dick out of the equation. I concentrated on his pretty mouth and made it my mission to steer clear of his perfect posterior. I knew myself too well. And this man was all kinds of tempting.
I nibbled his bottom lip and licked his jawline before slowly pulling away.
“There. Is that what you wanted?” I asked, rubbing my nose against his.
“Y-yes,” he replied dreamily, blinking to meet my gaze. “Wow. You’re a good kisser.”
“Thanks.” I popped his butt and scowled at him. “What was that crack about you not being my type?”
His adoring grin dipped. “Ow. Did you just…did you spank me?”
“I did.” I held his chin, pressing featherlight kisses on his lips. “You must know I’m crazy attracted to you, Cody boy. I wouldn’t have spent the rest of my night at the bar if I wasn’t. And for your information, I don’t have a type.”