Page 54 of Floored (Frenched 3)
At his look of dismay, I leaned forward and pointed at him. “Listen, pal, you’re lucky I’m not going to make you take a ballet class after you made me take a public skating lesson. How’d you like a pair of ballet slippers for Christmas?”
He held up his hands. “Fine. I’ll go to the ballet. Is it in English?”
“There’s no talking in ballet.”
“Can I nap?”
“No. You can watch and appreciate.”
He didn’t look too sure about that.
I picked up my cup and warmed my hands around it. “You never know, you might like it. The dancers wear short skirts.”
“Will you wear a short skirt?”
“Hush,” I admonished, but then I winked. “We’re being friends today, remember?”
Grinning, he leaned closer to me and spoke quietly. “Hey, I wasn’t the one who made a reference to my big dick earlier.”
I lifted my shoulders in a way that showed I didn’t care. “Oops.”
“I didn’t mind.”
“Yes, I noticed that.” Picking up my cup, I took a sip, then licked up some whipped cream in what I hoped was an alluring, sensual move that did not end with anything on my nose.
Charlie smiled and sat back. “I’ve missed you this last week.”
That surprised me. “You have?”
“Yes. You didn’t miss me?”
Of course I did. Especially your magic parts. “Maybe a little.”
“And I’m really happy to be out with you. I always have fun when we’re together.”
“Me too.” We should fuck.
“Should we grab dinner maybe? I think this place closes at five, and it’s getting close.”
“Sure.” And then we should fuck.
“Feel like pizza? I’ve got an idea.”
“Sounds great.” I finished my hot chocolate, we piled on our winter gear and headed out.
On our way back to Campus Martius, I congratulated myself on being a little flirty and a little dirty without going overboard. I had to play this exactly right if I wanted him to know it was OK to touch me tonight, even though this wasn’t a date.
Which was why I was surprised when Charlie picked up my hand and held it as we walked back through Campus Martius, darkness falling faster than the snow flurries drifting down around us. Here I was trying to be all no-strings, and he was the one saying he missed me and being all romantic. I lifted our hands and goggled at them.
“You want to hold my hand?” I teased. “Isn’t that, like, a gesture of affection that is nonsexual?”
Charlie looked pleased with himself. “It is. I think I’m growing as a person, being friends with you.”
“Oh, good. We’re still friends. I was just checking to make sure this didn’t turn into, you know…” I wrinkled my nose. “A date.”
“What? No.” He elbowed me. “I don’t date.”
“No, no. Of course not.”
