“You have a life outside of Tucson, obviously. And so do I. Just because we both happen to be from Los Angeles doesn’t change the fact that we’re two consenting adults meeting at a hotel in the middle of Arizona.”
Dylan frowns. “Ri-igh-t. I still don’t get where this is going.”
“Exactly,” I say. “And that’s why we make a pact so we don’t ever need to worry about where this is going, how it’s going, or if it’s going anywhere at all. You yourself said the whole arrangement was no strings attached.”
“I did say that.” Dylan puts his hands to his head and pulls at the short strands like he’s fully agitated. “I just…to bring anyone into my world would be the most selfish thing I could do. I like you, but to promise that this will go anywhere…I just can’t do that.”
“So you agree with me then. We may just stay friends, we may decide we hate each other, or we may”—I can feel how flushed my face gets, but I storm forward anyway—“whatever we may do over the next few days, what happens here, stays here. In Tucson. In the hotel. No strings and no promises. Deal?”
Dylan goes quiet at my proposal. He looks out the window and then down at his hands. Eventually though, he looks up. “Are you dating somebody back home?”
I contemplate not answering him, but I don’t really see where that will get me. So I shake my head no.
“So whatever happens between us here, we can agree for these few days that what we have is exclusive?” he confirms. “Neither of us will date anybody else while we’re in the hotel?”
“Sure.” That’s easy for me.
“Then yes, but I have one condition,” Dylan says.
“What?”
“We make a real effort to get to know each other. Even though we know it’s going to end, we don’t hold back this weekend.”
“But…”I never let anyone get close to me.
He’s searching my face, his expression stubborn and determined. “That’s my condition. Take it or leave it.”
My brain screams at me to leave it.
But what comes out of my mouth is, “I’ll take it.”
His jaw visibly relaxes, and he smiles at me. “Let’s start now. We’ll go back to your room and watch a movie for the afternoon. Away from cameras and reporters and the public eye. I don’t think touring Tucson is working out so well for either of us. Do you agree?”
I hesitate. Being alone with Dylan is scary. Eating lunch at a restaurant was one thing, but two hours alone in a hotel room feels like it’s bringing everything to a more intimate level.
I pause and turn away. “I don’t know if I’m comfortable.” I say it almost in a whisper.
“Jasalie.” Dylan touches my knee, and I look back at him. “No ulterior motives or anything. I just want to spend time with you. I promise you can trust me.”
The truth is, I actually do trust him. The person I don’t trust is myself. I’m so insanely attracted to him I have to resist kissing those mesmerizing lips of his right now.
But no matter what happens, we have a finite amount of time together. I’m leaving here in just over three days after all. How much can happen in seventy-two hours?
“I’m not sure,” I say as I turn the key in the ignition.
I pull out of the neighborhood, and we end up behind an SUV at a red light. A little girl is in the back, kneeling up on the seat, facing us. She stares at me and makes a monkey face. Without thinking about it, I stick my tongue out at her and wave.
Dylan laughs. “You surprise me every second.”
I smile. “Every second? That’s a lot.”
“I’m serious. You’re spontaneous. You’re funny, at least when you feel safe. You’re beautiful, but you don’t know it. You’re tough, but you have the softest heart underneath it all.”
I snap my head in his direction. “How the hell can you be sure of all of that? We barely know each other.”
“I feel like I get you is all.” Dylan reaches over and puts his hand lightly on my thigh, just above my knee. Then he squeezes.
I grit my teeth as parts of me completely ignite. The throbbing between my legs is so intense I nearly cry out.
