“How are you, Sauce?”
“Great,” I say, leaning closer.
The warmth of his body and our blanket cocoon feel lovely. And strangely safe, in a way not many things have since I lost Celine.
“You can tell me anything.” His lips graze my forehead. “More importantly, tell me if something isn’t a good experience for you. These kinds of games rely on honest communication.”
Tipping my head back so I can see his face, I say, “I don’t understand why something that hurts makes the sex even better.”
With a rueful smile, he shrugs. “When the tension is higher, so is the release.”
Lowering my head onto his outstretched arm, I close my eyes. “I guess that must be it.” Raising my lids to half mast, I stare at the pulse in his throat. “I had no idea I’d like this kind of thing. Important discovery for me.” My breath blows against his skin. “Even though the arrangement’s temporary, I’m really glad we met and hooked up.”
His thumb strokes my spine. “Same.”
A small dagger of disappointment pierces my heart when he doesn’t suggest making things more permanent. I manage to keep from pressing him. We made an agreement, and so far, I’m getting as much from his side of the bargain as he is.
It’s enough.
Because it has to be.
17
SAWYER
We have sex twice more before dawn.
As I dress, I’m sore. In thebestway.
The rowing team has an early morning workout with their coaches, so Jamie drives me back to campus and walks me to the residence hall at six-thirty.
“I’m working late tonight, Sauce, so I can’t play with you. Hold tomorrow night for me, though.”
“Done.”
He winks with a smirk.
“Bye, Jamie.” I wait, intending to watch him walk away, but he doesn’t move. “You’re waiting for me to go in?”
“It’s still dark out, so yes.”
“Okay.” With a wave, I head to the security keypad and swipe my ID. I love that he’s watching me get inside safely. I’m not used to having anyone act protective toward me.
As the door closes, he turns and walks away.
I smile the entire elevator ride up to the room. When I unlock the door and enter, I wake Ash who sits bolt upright with her hair flying everywhere.
“What? What’s wrong?”
Laughing, I sit on the edge of my bed to take my shoes off. “Nothing, weirdo. Go back to sleep.”
She rubs her eyelid with the heel of her hand. “What time is it?”
“Like seven-ish.”
“In the morning? What iswrongwith you guys?” Falling back onto the bed with a thud that drowns out the squeak of the bed springs, she groans.
Smiling, I strip down to my underwear before crawling under my weighted blanket.
