Tenderness

“I do not!”

It’s not me that makes everything complicated. I thought defensively.

“You do.” He laughed. Flashing perfect white teeth and the hint of dimples at the corners of his mouth.

I batted his shoulder. Tossing my legs in an effort to sit up and roll off his lap so I could fully express my irritation with him. But my motion was stopped when he dropped his forearm over my stomach, effectively keeping me from getting any leverage.

“Eric!”

He laughed harder.

“Stop it!”

He dropped his nose to mine. Brushing the tips of them. “Ask me nicely.”

“Why are you such a dick?”

“Because someone nice would bore you to tears.”

“Would not!”

“Then why haven’t you hooked up with any of those simpering nerds that lust after you like you’re some life size version of anime porn?”

“There aren’t any!” I was appalled at that thought.

“Billy Bosworth.”

I winced.