Page 52 of Most Likely to Fear Love

“There’s no pressure,” Harle said, his voice softening. “You don’t have to decide right now. Hell, you don’t even have to agree, obviously. But I figured I’d put it on the table. You deserve options.”

Options. Right. Like this was just a normal conversation about choosing between chicken or beef for dinner.

“Why would you even…” I trailed off, biting my lip.

“Because I want to help you, Cass.” The words were simple enough, but there was a rough edge to his voice that made mefeel warm all over. His fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around his beer bottle as he continued. “You’ve got a lot of fight in you. I hate seeing you this beat down over something that’s not your fault.” He paused, and something flickered in his eyes. Something that looked almost like longing before he masked it with a playful smile. “And hey, let’s not pretend there’s nothing in it for me.”

I stared at him, my throat tight. This was insane. It was kind, but it was also crazy. And yet, the idea of saying no felt just as hard as saying yes.

“That’s not all though.”

“What else is there?”

“You want the best chance at walking away with a baby in your belly, you agree to ten days of free use.”

That had me frowning. “What’s that?”

“The whole time you’re with me, you’re not allowed to say no. I’ll have you wherever and whenever I want you. And you’re not allowed to wear underwear.”

I stared at Harle, my mouth hanging open. The words “free use” echoed in my head, dangerous and thrilling all at once. Heat bloomed across my chest, creeping up my neck. The thought of being completely at his mercy, available whenever he wanted... My thighs clenched involuntarily.

Part of me wanted to run. This was so far outside my carefully controlled world that it was practically in another galaxy. But there was another part, a part I usually kept locked away behind spreadsheets and schedules, that hummed with excitement.

“I... wow,” I managed to stammer out. “That’s intense.” My voice sounded breathy even to my own ears, and I couldn’t tell if the dizziness I felt was from fear or arousal. Maybe both.

Harle’s eyes never left mine, his gaze steady and unwavering. “It is. But I think it gives us the best shot at what you want.”

I swallowed hard, my mind racing. The logical part of me wanted to shut this down immediately. It was crazy, reckless, and completely outside my comfort zone. But another part of me, a part I’d been trying to ignore for months, was screaming at me to say yes.

“Can I... can I think about it?”

Harle nodded. “Of course. Take all the time you need.”

I inhaled deeply, trying to steady myself. “Okay. I’ll do that. Think about it, I mean.”

“That’s all I’m asking.” He leaned back in his chair, picking up his beer and taking a long swig, acting as if he hadn’t just turned my world upside down.

I reached for my own bottle, grateful for something to do with my hands. The cool liquid did little to calm the fire that had ignited in my belly. As I set the bottle back down, I caught him watching me, his eyes dark with an intensity that made my breath catch.

I didn’t even sitdown after Harle left, too wound up to do anything except pace back and forth across the living room like a lunatic. Five minutes later, I couldn’t stand being alone with my thoughts anymore. I grabbed my phone and called Hannah.

“You busy?” I asked as soon as she picked up.

“Not really. Why?”

“Can you come over? Like, now?”

Hannah paused. “Uh, sure. Everything okay?”

“Just…please.”

She didn’t ask any more questions, and twenty minutes later, I heard the familiar rumble of her old Jeep pulling into mydriveway. I opened the door before she even had a chance to knock, tugging her inside by the wrist.

“What’s going on?” she asked, frowning as she set her keys on the hall stand.

“Harle was just here,” I blurted, the words tumbling out in a rush. “He feels really bad that I’m not pregnant yet. So he offered for me to stay at his place for ten days. And, um…” I swallowed hard, heat rising to my cheeks. “He’ll just fuck me whenever he wants. I’m not allowed to wear underwear. It’s…free use. Have you heard of that?”

Hannah’s eyes went wide as saucers, her mouth opening and closing a few times before she managed to say anything.

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