“No,” I answer resolutely.“And before you ask, I did not wear the garters on the date with him.I packed them into my suitcase after Christmas, thinking about you.”
He watches me, his mouth hanging open.
“Then why…?”he starts.
“Thomas,” I rise and help him button up the shirt.“I already told you, we cannot date, we cannot do it.This is my career; I can´t be seen dating athletes, not publicly.And you… Do you want to tell me you are ready for a relationship?With the Olympics around the corner?”
He frowns.I know that look.Like I make him think about stuff he´d rather not.
“I don´t know, Kat, I just want you,” he shrugs again.
Obviously, he gave up thinking too early.It is endearing, yet a little annoying, like a cute child that will cuddle you just to avoid cleaning her room.
“And you just had me,” I answer.
“Don´t tell me, this was enough,” he says, taking one step towards me and kissing my mouth gently, his tongue tracing mine with a softness that feels like dripping honey after that mind-blowing animal sex we just had.
“No,” I answer, pushing him away just an inch.“But we need to set some rules.”
“Like what?”he raises an eyebrow.“Like, which positions are allowed?Or what condom flavour should I buy for tomorrow?”
“There will be no tomorrow,” I state flatly and head towards the fallen skis.
He follows me and helps pick them up, placing them in a perfect line against the wall.
“Right, because tomorrow I´ll be in Schladming and you'll stay for the Kitzbühel slalom.So, Monday… wait, I race on Tuesday, I cannot have sex the night before a race.There are rules for that.These are the rules, you meant?”
I look at him.
“We’re not a couple,” I say.
“No,” he nods.“We’re adults.”
A beat.
“One rule,” he adds.“When I win, you don’t overthink.”
I hold his gaze.“When you win, I don’t hesitate.”
We shake.
“Win it,” he says.
“Claim it,” I answer.
I think about it.It is dangerous but also thrilling.The very thought of such a deal sends warmth between my thighs.
“Or you reward yourself,” he continues.“I know it turns you on when I nail the run.I can see it.Actually, I win for it, I race for it.God, I live for it lately.So, maybe you just shove the restraint away the moment you most want to.”
I kind of like the idea.It feels… safe.Calculated.No strings.A deal.
“Deal,” I offer him a hand to shake, and he takes it and draws me closer to kiss my mouth.
“This is how we´ll seal our deals, Kat,” he whispers against my mouth.
We get on with cleaning our mess.
When we are almost finished, he hands me a downhill ski.
