Page 42 of Secrets, Lies and Love

Theoretical is not my thing. I like to touch, lick, suck. But Cecily has just opened up a very tempting possibility, and images of her moaning with her hand between her thighs, touching herself for me, play out like a movie in my mind.

My cock feels like steel, pushing against my suit pants, and I know what I’m going to say now will be a watershed moment between us.

“Yes, we can talk.”

“And you promise you won’t touch me?”

“You have my word that I will never touch you against your will.”

“I don’t want you to.”

“Liar. You want this as much as I do. Now, answer my question: did you comeyesterday?”

She looks at the floor. “I think so.”

“Think?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t know what it’s like to have an orgasm.”

“If you don’t know, it’s because you’ve never had one.”

And now I’ve just become obsessed with giving her first.

“I answered your question. Now, I’m going to get dressed so I can grab the extra baby monitor. I will never make that mistake again, Mr. . . . um . . . Dionysus.”

She runs into her room, and I run both hands over my face, trying to figure out what the hell is wrong with me, while at the same time thinking about all the possible consequences of taking Cecily to bed.

The only conclusion I can come to is that the moment I do that, I will have to permanently exclude her from my life.

It’s only ever going to happen once.

Cecily

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

I’ve been rolling aroundin bed all night, unable to sleep after yesterday’s conversation, but I just got a text from the person causing my insomnia saying that Lisa, Mrs. Nuttle, came in today, so I’m free for the day.

I curled up as long as I could in bed so as not to take the risk of running into him.

Elina has given me until next Monday, after the wedding, to go back to work at the Association library, which means I have a few days to find a dress for the wedding.

I haven’t talked to Dionysus about working part-time at the library yet, but he’s my boss, not my owner, so I don’t see anything wrong with continuing my other job as well.

I take out my phone and send a message to Elina.

Good morning. I need a recommendation for a store where I can buy a dress for Madison’s wedding, but without having to leave my kidney as payment.

It doesn’t take long for her to answer me. It’s one of the things I love about my new friend. For anxious people like me, the delay in receiving a response is a kind of psychological torture.

Elina:Hahaha. That’s complicated. I’m an expensive woman, but why don’t we go shopping together? Zoe arrives from North Carolina today for the wedding and wants to buy something too.

Me:I won’t accept a gift.

Elina:You are too proud.

Me:No, I’m down to earth. You have already fulfilled your role as fairy godmother. I need to live within my means.

Elina:We’ll see. I pick you up at ten thirty.

---