The Real Thing (33 page)

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“How many friends of yours are going to keep commenting on this status update?” Eric asks as he flips his phone off after the fiftieth ding today. He slouches onto the couch—
our
couch—and I automatically cuddle up next to him.

“Well, it is big news.” I let go of my book to wiggle my finger at him. “And I haven’t been online for a few days, so it’s the only status they have to comment on.”

He laughs, then reaches down and kisses the diamond, just like he did earlier this morning when he put it there.

“So, what are you reading with this half-naked man on the cover?” Eric swipes my book from my hands.

“It’s a romance. Give it back! I’m at a really good part.”

I reach for it, but he locks his hand around my wrist and holds me back. The muscles in his arm contract, but he’s not hurting me. He looks adorable with a book in his hands. Especially one with a bare-chested man sprawled across it.

“His hand ran up my thigh, caressing my skin where it was most sensitive.”

“Oh my gosh, stop! Give it back now!” I try tackling him, but that’s totally not going to work on my strong man. He laughs at my feeble attempts and gently pushes me back on the pillow. He winks before he keeps reading.

“I couldn’t help my fingers from tangling in his thick hair. I pulled him toward me, our mouths hot with anticipation of the first taste.”

My face flushes, his eyes flick up from the book, and he lowers it against my legs. “Do you want me to keep going?”

I shake my head. “I know how it ends. I’ve read it before.” Though I’ve never had it read to me. It’s completely erotic, and I don’t want him to read it anymore. I want him to act it out.

“Then why do you read it?”

Kicking the book from his hands, I force his body on top of mine so our lips are just touching. “I like spending time with my book boyfriends.” I laugh as he gasps in an oh-no-you-didn’t way, and he tickles my hip.

“I could be a book boyfriend,” he says, leaning on his elbow. “Watch …” His fingers move up my leg. “I’m running my hand up your thigh. Tell me when I get to the sensitive parts.”

I smack his hand when he tries to pinch my butt, giggling into his neck as he moves his mouth to my ear. His fingers wrap around mine, and he brings them up to his hair, forcing me to give him noogies.

“Is this what it means to tangle your fingers in my hair?” He smiles and keeps rubbing our hands around his head. “Does this turn you on?”

I can’t stop laughing, but even that doesn’t stop me from kissing his cheeks, his lips, his nose, his chin. “It is the biggest turn-on, Eric.”

“See, I could totally be one of your fantasy dudes.”

My laughter subsides, and my smile fades, but I’m not sad. I just want him to know exactly how I’m feeling, and that I’m serious about it.

“No.”

“What? I didn’t do it right?” he jokes, chocolate eyes teasing me.

I slowly drop my hand from his hair, playing with his ear and tickling the back of his neck. “It’s not that. I don’t want you to be a book boyfriend.”

His bottom lip juts out and I bite it, taking him by surprise, and he groans into my neck as his head drops. “Am I not good enough?” he asks, his warm breath heating my skin before he takes my earlobe in between his teeth.

“No. You’re better.” I pull his face so I can look into his eyes. He’s so beautiful. I can’t believe this sexy man chose me, and still chooses me every day. I lightly press his lips to mine, and run my thumbs across his jaw. “You’re the real thing.”

Thank you, book addicts, for loving to read, for loving to talk about reading, and for making fantasies reality when you fall in love with stories.

Thank you, Facebook, for distracting me so much you inspired me to write this book.

Thank you, Theresa, for being my go-to person for every word of this story. You know you talked me off many ledges, and you helped me make Eric
exactly
who I wanted him to be. Thank you for listening to my babbles, my tears over my broken guy, my own anxiety as I tried to push through the rough scenes, and for giving me cyber slaps. I wouldn’t have this book if it wasn’t for you. And I got sappy there just for you, babe. *pacman face*

Thank you, Jolene, Carol, Rachel, Jessica, and Kelley, for reading this story superfast so I could make my deadline. Your notes were beyond helpful, and I guess the book wasn’t all crap, since you liked it. (Yes, you were right, I was wrong, we shall move on now ;))

Thank you, my beta girls, for always being there at the click of a button. You are mostly the reason for my own Internet addiction.

Thank you, Dr. Seuss, for your brilliant books, and for giving me the chance to “research” and spend time with my kids simultaneously.

Thank you, Sue, for your insight, which is always full of genius. Thank you for knowing my vision, loving my voice, supporting my dream, and promoting the crap out of my books. Gah, I seriously just love working with you!

Thank you, Gina, April, Kim, and the rest of the kick-butt team at Random House Flirt. I heart my publisher so much!

Thank you, copyeditor Howard Mittlemark. You are a genius!

Thank you, Awesome Nerds, for being the best street team ever, for promoting my books, posting reviews, for those awesome GIFs that make me goofy-smile, and for fangirling with me over Dylan O’Brien pictures.

Thank you, Brittany, for getting me my amazing publisher, for being quick with emails, and for being my friend.

Thank you, Mommy, Jenny, Becki, and Shellie, for being the most supportive people ever and not blushing too hard when you read the steamy scenes.

Thank you, Mandy, for being my go-to Floridian expert. One day I’ll fly myself there and we can go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and it’ll be the best day ever.

Thank you, Bubble Guppies, for teaching my children how to be quiet for a half hour so I can write. And thank you, children, for loving the Bubble Guppies enough to sing the theme song
everywhere
we go.

And last, thank you, Joshy, for inspiring that shower scene. (I will get you back for that ice water.)

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