Page 65 of Conspiracies and Chemistry

“It’s soft and gentle. I’m neither.”

No, but my feelings for her were both. “What can I call you?”

“Tessa.” She moved her head in a way that would have been a toss if she weren’t lying down. “Not Theresa, andneverTess.”

I kissed her neck. “So princess is out?”

“Absolutely.”

“Dear?”

“I’m notthatold.”

“Ginger Spice?”

“My god, I wanted to be her so bad in 1997. But no.” Her expression went steely. “Absolutely no pet names. What did I say about falling in love with me?”

I had to clear the lump from my throat to let the lie through. “I’m not in love with you.”Not completely.But I was teetering on the edge. Gently, I pulled out of her.

There was a smear of blood on the condom, and a small amount trickled onto the creamy skin of her upper thigh. “Hang on, I’ll be right back with a tissue.”

When she saw the condom, she winced, and her cheeks flushed. “Sorry. It’s gross.”

I clambered off the bed, but I didn’t go into the bathroom. “Blood isn’t gross. We work with it all the time in the lab. Your period is a normal human function. I had a great time. I’m still having a great time.” At least I was, until she’d reminded me she’d never make the mistake of falling for me.

In the bathroom, I tossed the condom in the trash, wiped myself clean, and washed my hands. I met my disappointed gaze in the mirror and narrowed my eyes.You just slept with the world’s most amazing woman. Focus on that, not on the fact that she doesn’t want you for anything more than your dick.Taking a deep breath, I grabbed a few tissues and returned to the bedroom.

She was sitting up, scrubbing at her thighs with a tissue. “Thank goodness for the blanket, right?” Her voice was too high, and she didn’t meet my gaze.

“Hey.” I stilled her hand and took the wadded-up tissue from her. Then I wiped the stain from her leg more gently than she’d been doing. “I love this blanket. I think I might get one for myself.”

She snorted. “Sure you will.”

“I’ll get two. One for my couch and another for the bed. We can make love everywhere.”

“You mean have sex.Don’t romanticize this.”

Ouch. I knew she was on defense after letting herself be vulnerable, but it still hurt. I glanced at the pile of clothes by the side of the bed.

“Want me to go, or can I stay over?”

“The security system is a pain to navigate at night. You can stay. If you want.” Her shrug was anything but casual.

“Thanks. I’d like that.” I lifted her hand and caressed it. Her cheeks went redder, obscuring the freckles.

I returned to the bathroom to toss the trash and wash my hands. She went in after me, so I folded the blanket onto her side and lay down to wait.

She returned and settled beside me, then flicked off the lamp. I slipped my arm over her waist. “Is this okay?”

“Sure.” In the darkness, I couldn’t see her expression, but that one word seemed to come from behind a brick wall.

“Did someone make you feel bad about your period?” I asked.

She snorted again. “Nearly everyone. My dad, my ex, society at large. Women are expected to have children, but no one wants the mess that comes with it. Mine are so heavy I don’t usually hook up when I’m having my period.”

Hook up? Hurtful. But I stroked from her ribs to her hip. “Your body is amazing, inside and out.”

The pillow rustled when she turned her head, but it was too dark to see her expression. “You really believe that, don’t you?”

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