I forced a smile. When I hurried back to my room, Weston was fully clothed. He tugged on his shoes with one hand while he focused on scrolling through his phone.
“Do you have a minute?” I asked.
He instantly put down his phone. “Of course.”
I smiled and shook my head as I closed my door. “Not that… about last night.”
Weston chuckled. “Which part?”
“I think you know.”
He came over to me and held my face in his hands. His thumb hovered over my lips.
“My favorite part?” He chuckled.
I sighed and enclosed my hands around his wrists. “The blackmail part. The Dakota part.”
Weston’s expression clouded over. “I told you, you’re done. You wanted honesty, so I gave it to you. In exchange, I wanted a second set of eyes. You gave that to me. Transaction complete.”
“Weston,” I couldn’t even hide the annoyance in my tone. “Must everything be an exchange of some sort?”
“Yes.” He nodded. “With me, it does. It’s what I’m used to.”
“Maybe I can’t help you,” I admitted. “I can’t decide for you, but I can still be your springboard. You could tell me stuff when things get too hard.”
He removed his hands from my face. “I don’t want that.”
“You said you needed it,” I argued. “You’re falling apart from not being able to talk to someone about this. Your words, not mine.”
“I’ll be fine.” Weston’s jaw clenched. I could practically see him retreating into himself. “I got my fill last night. I’m good now.”
“West,” I said in a soft tone. “Let me be here for you. I want you to…” To what? Talk to me? Completely be with me?
Yes. I wanted him. Maybe not a title - though I’d be more than willing to accept one - but something more than just a fuck buddy. He felt like more than just someone to call when I wanted to have a good time.
He studied me with a strange expression. “That’s the first time you’ve shortened my name.”
“So?” I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. He frowned at the waver in my tone. Or maybe it was my eyes. Anytime I looked at him, I’m sure they melted. He knew I craved more than just being friends with benefits.
“You said there was no point of shortening an already short name,” he reminded me. “I figured that was your way of keeping us at a distance.”
“Yeah, well, you’re rubbing off on me.” I ducked my head down to study the dirty beige coloring of my carpet.
He made a ‘hm’ sound. “Covee?”
“Yes?” I sighed as I looked back up.
“I think we need to revisit those rules.” His mouth was in a straight line. There was no hint of desire behind his eyes. Weston wasn’t trying to hint about sex this time.
“Weston, I don’t need -”
“Look,” he interrupted me. “Do you need me right now?”
I searched his face, looking for the punchline. There was none. “Yes. I mean, I don’ need sex right now. But, yes.”
“Okay.” He nodded. “Then, I’ll be here.”
I was confused. “Okay?”
