“He said I was cute and really great in bed . . . but that he was looking for someone he could take home to his parents. Someone put together and professional. He said he didn’t think I was that kind of woman—and even worse, said it with a laugh like I should be in on the joke with him.”
“Shit.And what did you say?”
“Nothing. I just stood there like an idiot and laughed along because it hurt so bad, but I wasn’t sure why—he didn’t say anything that was untrue or that I hadn’t thought about myself before.” I pause, jolted back to feeling disgusted by Caden’s smile for the first time. “So then he gave me a kiss, and a pat on the ass, and said he’s always down to fuck though.”So vulgar.
I’d never once felt cheap in all my days of hooking up with guys, but I felt cheap and used and discarded in that moment. I’ve been carrying that feeling around ever since.
“Madison . . .”
“No. It’s okay. I don’t need you to say anything about it. But honestly, that was how my entire experience was here. Lonely. Belittling. And suffocating.”
No sooner than the words finish leaving my mouth do we suddenly hear Bryce’s door slam shut, followed by her giggle and the low hum of a man’s voice.
“Oh and there’s that,” I say, less than thrilled by what I know comes next.
I guess Bryce wasn’t alone in that shower like I assumed.
James is going to say something but cuts off when he’s suddenly treated to the groans and grunts of the Caveman. “Oh god,” he whispers, horror drenching his voice. “You weren’t kidding about them.”
“It’s gonna get worse too.”
“How could it—” He cuts off because sounds that humans don’t usually make begin filtering through the room. James and I lie here in tense silence for a minute as the violent thud of Bryce’s headboard bounces against the wall.
James covers his ears, but I know that’s not doing much to muffle the sound. “This is the furthest thing from sexy I could ever experience.”
“It’s bad. It’s real bad,” I say, making us both laugh. And that laugh tumbles into another one, and before I know it we’re both shoving our faces into our pillows to stifle not screams of ecstasy but rolling, belly-aching laughter. And this, I realize, is the first time I’ve ever lain in bed with a man and laughed.
It’s wonderful.
Finally, Bryce and Caveman climax and things quiet down, along with our laughter.
“There. Finally, it’s done,” James says on a relieved sigh.
“Oh, James . . . sweet, naïve James.”
“It’s not done?” he asks with dread.
“It’s only begun.”
With a groan, James swings his legs over the side of the bed, rounds the bed to my side, and holds out his hand. “Come on.”
“Where are we going?” I ask, sliding my hand easily into his and standing.
“Somewhere we can breathe.”
“How have I never thought to come up here before?” I ask after James opens the door leading to the roof and I step through. The rain has finally stopped, and it’s turned into a beautiful night. Humid, but beautiful.
I don’t think we’re supposed to be up here (which gives me a jolt of delight), but also there’s no one around to actually care either. This isn’t the kind of apartment building that comes with security and a doorman.
“I’m surprised you didn’t either. I would have thought theDO NOT ENTERsign would have been a flashing green light for you.”
I laugh and follow him to a dryish spot on the ground, where he spreads out the comforter we snagged from the bed and drops the two pillows on top next. We settle onto the blanket and James immediately lies back against the pillow, arm above his head again, eyes closed.Cowboy sleeping pose.He just needs a campfire and a horse.
I’m not ready to lie down yet. I’m full of restless energy that I don’t know what to do with. After pulling my knees up to my chest, I tug my loose shirt over them.
“Hey.” I nudge his shoulder. “Today was fun. Thank you.”
He peeks an eye open. “Fun enough to stay?”
