Elements of Chemistry: Attraction (Hypothesis, #1)

by Penny Reid

Little did he know, I possessed no feminine wiles. Only the willies and the heebie jeebies.

I understood my previous reluctance to gaze at him directly. It was called self-preservation.

I like arguing about Doctor Who episodes, and whether Samwise Gamgee or Frodo Baggins was ultimately responsible for the destruction of the ring.

“And you’re funny.” “You should know that most of the time the funny is not on purpose.” “And honest.” “That’s not always a good thing.”

I’d learned from my mother that when someone gives you a subjective compliment—meaning one that can’t be disproven and is based on opinion—but that you find to be completely false, rather than argue, it’s much better to just say thank you, or I appreciate that and strive to be that compliment.

I need to start doing this. I'm terrible with compliments.

Fools fight compliments, she’d said, and sometimes other people see you better than you can see yourself.

“You’ll have to read the book, and don’t interrupt me. It’s distracting enough looking at you. You’ve already derailed my brain train with your face several times.”

“You’re starved for physical intimacy. He’s starved for emotional intimacy. Maybe you can help him and help yourself.”

He growled, his eyes half closing, and he tugged a hand through his hair. He looked…frustrated. His frustration made me frustrated because I didn’t know why he was frustrated.

I thought I might die of happiness. That last part isn’t true. I was being sarcastic. Sorry.

“You’re smart—in fact, you have flashes of brilliance which is a huge turn on for me—and you’re funny and charming when you want to be. And sometimes you treat me with kindness and respect. Also, you’re a good kisser. I thought at first it was my lack of experience, but now I think you’re just an exceptionally good kisser. I like kissing you. I like the way it feels. I love how you make me feel when you touch me. But what feels good isn’t always what’s good for me, and I’m not willing to settle for being with someone who sometimes treats me well. I’d rather be alone.”