27. Reese

Those dirty words, said in that low rumble, do incredible things to my core. Seismic things.

I can feel the nerve endings in my body flicking on, one by one, like fluorescent lights blinking on. “I’m trying to get away from controlling men, remember?”

“And I’m trying to avoid getting an STD.”

He’s got a point. I don’t want him fucking other girls while he’s with me, either. “You’re saying I have to stay exclusive?”

“I’m saying as long as we’re… doing whatever this is, I won’t sleep with anyone else.”

His dark eyes, framed by those glasses, hook into me. “And I’d appreciate if you showed me the same regard.”

My heart leaps possessively at that. Even though I’m wary of the traitorous feelings sparking to life in my chest, the request is really pretty practical. “Having a few ground rules is probably a good idea. Otherwise, things could get complicated.”

He nods. “No fucking other people is a good place to start.”

“Yes. I agree. And we’re not going to tell any of our friends or family, right?”

“Hell, no.”

He glances at me. “It’s not because I’m ashamed of you, it’s because they’re like rabid dogs when it comes to my personal life.”

“You’re preaching to the choir, brother. I know.”

I stare at our feet, marveling at how big his are compared to mine. “Okay, so we know what I want out of this. What is it you want?”

“We do not know what you want. We are very mystified on that accord.”

I groan. “You’re going to make me say this again?”

He’s grinning. “I’m going to make you say that and a bunch of other dirty things, too.”

“Okay. Listen carefully. I want to learn how to be a killer tiger in bed so that the next time I drag somebody home, I’m a sizzling powerhouse of Amazonian sex appeal.”

“You already have sex appeal.”

“Cute little bunnies do not have sex appeal.”

“Kitty cats.”

“I wasn’t opening my mission statement to the committee. No criticizing.”

“Fine. Amazonian sex warrior. Got it.”

I turn, drawing my knees up again. “And now your turn.”

“Pass.”

I whack his chest, which is delightfully toasty. “Skyler. Just bear with me for five more minutes and I’ll stop torturing you, I swear.”

He groans. “Okay, fine.”

He looks up at the ceiling, then at the seam on the outside of his sweats. Then at the seam of my sweats. He fiddles with it, his finger tickling at the inside of my knee. “I guess I need help finding a good woman.”

“You want me to play matchmaker?”

“No. I can’t stand blind dates.”

He finally forces himself to meet my gaze. “I guess I realize I’ve been screwing around on purpose these past few years, because I wasn’t ready to settle down.”

“But now you are?”

He shrugs. “I’m ready for the next phase. The one I’m stuck in is getting played out.”

He starts toying with my knee again. “When it comes to my love life, I’ve pretty much perfected the art of getting a woman into bed.”

I squint at him. “Such a humble statement.”

He grins, the rarely spotted dimple appearing on his cheek. “I’m not trying to brag.”

The smile slips. “But the tactics you’d apply to win a woman’s heart aren’t exactly the same.”

“Have you even tried?”

He frowns. “No. But I don’t want to fuck around, either. And since Reese’s School of Hopeless Romantics is taking new students, I guess I’m open to whatever it is you think I ought to do.”

“Hmm.”

I tap my jaw. “I really want to criticize you, but that last bit was pretty good.”

“It was, wasn’t it?”

“I like the part about doing what I tell you to do.”

His hand travels up my thigh, caressing my leg before sliding back down again. “Does that mean you have to do whatever I say when my class is in session?”

“Within reason.”

“But what I think is reasonable and what you think is reasonable could be two different things.”

He takes my arm and guides me onto his lap.

This time, I manage to straddle his legs without jabbing him with my knees. “That’s a valid point.”

“So I have complete control when it’s my turn and you have complete control when it’s your turn?”

I pause, distracted by the warmth of his chest under my palms.

He mistakes my silence for wariness. “I shouldn’t make a joke of that. You can always say no to anything at any time. I’m just asking if you trust me.”

I meet his gaze, surprised by the warmth and concern I find there. “I trust you. Do you trust me?”

He nods, but his gaze is trained on my lips. “Yes. Completely.”