Exclusive excerpt:
“What a loser,” Beckham said, disgusted. “He wanted the hot YouTube therapist and knew she was way the hell out of his league, so he stacked the deck in his favor.”
She smirked and dabbed at her mouth. “I am out of his league, aren’t I?”
He grinned. “Eli, he’s not even on the practice squad of your league.”
“And you were right, the dog wasn’t his.”
He snapped his fingers and pointed. “See? I could feel that. No dog would have him. He was definitely holding Fluffy hostage.”
She pressed her fingers to the spot between her eyes and shook her head, but a smile lingered on her lips. “Thanks, Beckham. You have an uncanny ability to show up when I’m at my worst and make me feel better. I promise I’m higher functioning than how I’ve appeared lately. People do pay me to help with their problems.”
He clasped his hands between his spread knees. “Who says you always have to be high-functioning?”
She gave him a droll look. “Um, everyone. I’m a therapist. My job depends on people believing I have it together at all times.”
He grunted. “Tough job requirement. Not allowed to be human?”
She tucked her hair behind her ear. “Not fully.”
“Well, I’ll keep your secret.” He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “That you’re not a robot.”
She stared at him for a moment and then gave him a sad smile. “Thanks.”
“No problem.”
“I’m feeling a little better. I’m going to go and let you get home.” She rubbed her palms along her skirt. “But before I do, can I ask you something?”
“Yeah, sure.”
She narrowed her eyes like she was concentrating and trying to find the right words. “I’m not sure how much booze I still have in my system and if I’m processing things correctly, but earlier…were you about to offer to be an FWB hookup?”
The question made tension rush through him and he got to his feet. He should say no, that she’d misconstrued what he’d said. He could back out now, no harm, no foul. She probably wouldn’t even remember half of their conversation tomorrow.
“Never mind.” She stood and wobbled a little.
On instinct, he put a hand to her elbow to steady her. Her skin was warm, silky. The truth fell out of him. “I was. I know that’s not what you’re looking for, but if you ever find the idea of a low-key hookup with a friend…interesting, or just want to have a little fun while you’re looking for the guy, I bet we could figure out some ways to entertain ourselves.”
Her brown eyes were more focused than they’d been all night, her gaze calculating, then a playful smile curved her lips. “Would you let me lick your tattoos?”
He laughed at the unexpected question even as heat rushed straight downward at the thought. “You’re definitely still a little drunk.”
“Maybe,” she murmured.
“But, Eli”—he bent close to her ear—“I’d let you lick whatever you want…as long as I got the same privilege afforded to me.”
She shuddered a little in his grip and exhaled slowly. “I’ll…keep that in mind.”
He leaned back, shaking his head. No way would she remember this conversation tomorrow.
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