"As a general rule, if you tell a teenager not to do something too often, they'll rebel against you. I'm saving my nos for situations that will truly require it. As I said before, know Ben, and he's trustworthy. They only meet here anyway, and usually sit in the kitchen or the living room. If they're in her bedroom, she knows she must leave the door open all the time."
"And she's okay with that?"
"Yeah."
He huffs something along the lines of “I'll believe it when I see it” and “I still don't trust a seventeen-year-old boy.”
I can't hold back any longer. With a grin, I cross the room and lace my arms around his neck. "You losing your shit about Sienna and Ben is the most adorable thing you've done so far, Bennett." Including building me a beautiful vanity table I don't need. Leaning in, I inhale his delicious scent. I will forever associate pine and mint with him.
"I was a seventeen-year-old, and I know what's on their mind," he repeats.
"Ben's trustworthy. You don't have to judge anyone by your appalling standards, you know."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"That you use every opportunity to feel me up."
"I was under the impression that you were enjoying it."
"Never said I didn't, but that doesn't make you less of an opportunist."
"I see. So when you ask me to kiss you, I should just be a gentleman and keep my distance."
"Now you're twisting my words. That's not what I meant. Can I tell you a secret?"
"Do tell." He feathers his lips at the nape of my neck, turning my skin to gooseflesh.
"Sometimes when you're asleep in the morning, I kiss all around your chest and shoulders."
"Confession time? I know."
"What?" I jerk my head back, heat rising up my cheeks. "How?"
"Because I'm a light sleeper, so I wake up as soon as your precious mouth touches me."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"And deprive myself of the constant proof of how much you worship my body? No way."
In response, I simply pinch his arm. This does not deter him from teasing me in the slightest.
"So, since we established you kiss me when you think I'm asleep, who's the opportunist now?"
Looping an arm around my waist, he flattens me to him, sliding his hand further down.
"Since you're currently groping my ass, I think that means it's still you."
"You're too sassy for your own good. So, since I fessed up about knowing about your morning shenanigans, can I give you some tips? There are some parts of me you have thoroughly neglected."
"Really," I challenge, resting my hands on his shoulder. "And what would those be?"
He wiggles his eyebrows. "You have three guesses."
"You're impossible."
"Wrong choice of words. If you want to receive your present tonight, I suggest you play along."
This gives me pause. "You just gave me my present."