Page 37 of Under His Watch

Eva sat as well. “Why? Is that even a question in this context? Why else would they fuck?”

Nina firmed her lips in a scolding expression as I sat. “Well, after what Tessa just experienced, it would be surprising is all.”

Eva raised her brows, and I sighed.May as well say it.

“Romeo came into the bedroom when I was crying from a nightmare about how I was raped. And I asked him to help me forget about it all.”

Nina winced. “Uh-oh.”

Eva smiled. “Well, damn.”

“Huh?” I volleyed my gaze between them.

Nina cleared her throat. “It’s, um, well, asking him to have sex with you so you could forget something else… It sounds like you were just asking him to perform a chore or something.”

I sighed. “I know. I don’t like how that sounds.”

“Hey, he wouldn’t have done it if he wasn’t interested,” Eva said.

“But he’snot. Not anymore.” I shook my head, hating to complain. “Ever since, he’s aloof and busy. I want him so damn bad. Not just to further break down the memory of my trauma, but because I miss him and want to experience that closeness again.”

“He’s not interested?” Eva asked.

I shook my head. “No. I’m getting so frustrated about it all, but it seems like he’s insisting that we only be friends.”

“Have you asked, or told him, what you want?”

“No.” I cringed. “I mean, I thought I sort of implied that I wanted it to happen again. Can’t he just tell?”

Both women smiled and shook their heads.

Dammit.“I don’t even know how to start or what to say.” I shrugged and hated how weak I sounded. “I never had time to date much. I’ve never made a move on a guy.”

“Just tell him the truth,” Eva suggested.

“I want to. But aside from being nervous to speak up like that and risk rejection, I’m starting to struggle with wondering if I’m even good enough for him.”

Nina smirked while Eva shrugged. I deadpanned at her immediate lack of confidence.Jeez, thanks.

“Or if I’m bad in bed,” I added.Since it was my firstrealtime.

Eva rolled her eyes while Nina shook her head. “No. I doubt that’s it. It’s not likely.”

“How would you know? Or how wouldIknow?”

“If you spoke up and just asked,” Eva said.

I gawked at her. “I’m not asking him if I was bad in bed.”

“Direct communication is always best,” she preached.

I was sure that it was, but I couldn’t imagine asking Romeo for confirmation like that.

“I’ve come to realize that Romeo is a serious sort of man who is sometimes hard to read,” Nina said. “Maybe direct communication would be helpful.”

“It would. Romeo’s always been like that, serious and closed-off, so putting him on the spot and opening a direct line of conversation would be smart.

Nina laughed suddenly. “Oh, my God.” She cracked up even more, and I wondered if the pregnancy hormones could make her loopy.

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