He sighs.“The last time I cared about someone, it went south fast.I looked like a fool, but more than that, it messed me up on the inside.When I get messed up, there’s nowhere to hide.”
The hope is back, the sneaky spark of possibility deep in my chest.
There’s music in the background, but the sound of my pulse pounding is louder.I feel his eyes on me, intent.
“I blocked every mention of you in my search engine so I didn’t have to see stories or pictures of you,” I blurt.
His touch skims up my ribs.“Seems fair.”
“I burned your jersey.”
“You…” He shakes his head, eyes closing for a moment.“Fuck it, I’ll get you another.”
“I still have the letter you dumped me with.”
“You’re a pyro, it seems, so put it to good use.”
I bite my cheek as laughter rises up.“The other night at the pub didn’t change anything, you know.Your monster dick didn’t rock my world.”
“Only because you haven’t felt it inside you yet.”
The tingling between my thighs intensifies.
“I’m not sure it would even fit.”
“You can take me.It’ll feel good when you do.”
I cock my head.“For you or me?”
“For both of us.”Clay twists a piece of my hair around his finger, and his gaze drops to my lips.“Promise I’ll go slow.”
I’m aware of how close we are, the places we’re touching.
I want him so badly I ache.
“I can’t jump back into this with you.I need time to listen to my heart.And it’s hard to hear it with you right here between my legs, making everything seem like a good idea.Okay?”
He nods slowly, his eyes dancing.
Even if we did start over, it would have to be something new.
Different.
The idea lights up the back of my brain.
I start to shift off him and my phone slips.I grab for it and look at the contract again.
New and different.
“That’s it!”I exclaim, pressing a hand against his chest.“I’m adding to the original concept.I could make the case that the changes aren't covered by the contract.”
His fingers dig into my bare thigh.“Then what?”
I blink at him.“Then I’ll ask for more.”
But my words sound weak even to my own ears.I can’t picture asking James for more money.
“Based on what?”he levels immediately.
