* * *
Rachel
I like being with him. And I’m afraid someone will take that away because I’m never allowed to hold onto the people I care about or to escape the ones I don’t.
I move my hands up to his forearms and squeeze them.
“Sasha?”
He bends down.
“What if we left?”
“Yeah,” he says and turns to Trick. “She’s ready to go back to the hotel. You coming?”
It wasn’t what I meant, but I don’t correct him. I’ll tell him later.
Trick glances around and shakes his head. “I’ll meet you back there.”
“All right.”
Sasha and I bump along through the crowd. Sasha’s behind me, but he puts his arm out in front so there’s always room for me to walk. It’s startling how much easier it is to move through a crowded room with him.
In the Rover, I put my hand over his on the gearshift, wanting a small physical connection.
“Is that all right?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“Zoe said there are times when she’s supposed to ask C’s permission to touch him.”
Sasha doesn’t speak.
“Is that what you’d prefer? For me to ask before I touch you?”
He shakes his head.
“What about at certain times? During a scene?” I’m not sure what even constitutes a scene, but I’d like to know. I’m curious.
He shakes his head again.
I smile. “Not going to confide in me? Isn’t that counterproductive?”
“I answered you.”
My smile widens. “So I’m allowed to do whatever I want?” I tease.
“Pretty much.”
I laugh softly. “I thought you liked being in control?”
“Do you think I’m not?”
I lean forward and kiss his knuckles, then lick them. I look up through my lashes. “What if I did something distracting?” I bite the skin on the back of his hand, bit by bit, adding more force until I think it’s enough to leave a faint mark. Then I sit back, watching him.
He never takes his eyes from the road.
“What would be too far?” I ask softly.
