Page 61 of The Upgrade

“Stop!” Sybil laughs and jumps on the bed. “We need to replenish her fluids.”

I’m still inside Eve, pinning her down with my body. I’m aching to move, to thrust deep inside her, but Sybil makes a good point.

Rolling away, I help Eve to sit up. Sybil gives her a glass filled to the brim with ice water.

“Thanks.” Eve takes a deep drink as Sybil hands one to me.

I chug it down quickly, missing the squeeze of Eve’s body. The vanilla-orange scent of her hair. The sticky-soft press of her skin against mine.

What just happened was fucking magic. Does anyone else here feel it?

“God.” Sybil sits down beside me on the bed, lifting her own glass to drink. “That was epic.”

“No kidding.” Eve chugs more water, looking flushed and so lovely my chest aches.

Once we’ve rehydrated, I gather the glasses and set them aside. “Everyone want to keep going?”

“Yes.” Eve smiles so wide there’s no question of enthusiastic consent.

“Absolutely.” Sybil gives me a coy smile. “Is it my turn to ride Topher Mountain?”

“Ew.” Eve giggles. “It’s bad enough we’ve got ‘enchantments’ and ‘consorts’ and ‘Sexy Seesaws.’ Let’s not make Kit’s dick a carnival ride.”

“Kit?” Sybil tilts her head. “Who’s Kit?”

Eve blanches. “Shit.” She gives me a helpless look. “Topher.”

“It’s fine.” It was bound to happen sooner or later. I glance at Sybil. “Please don’t share that outside this room.”

“My lips are sealed.” She pantomimes zipping her lips shut.

That lasts three seconds.

“Actually, no.” She pretends to unzip them and laughs. “My name’s really Sybil, but I totally respect pseudonyms.”

“I’m really Eve.” She shoots me a remorseful look. “I’m really sorry about that.”

“Don’t be.” I brush some damp hair off her cheek. “I like how you say my name.”

“Even if it’s not the right one?”

“It’s right when you say it.”

Sybil does one of thoseawwsounds people make when they watch sappy movies. “Your secret’s safe with me.” She zips her lips shut again.

“Wait.” She unzips once more with an evil smile. “I still want to suck your cock.”

The organ in question throbs to attention. “Let me get rid of the condom.”

Their giggles trail me to the bathroom. “Give it a good rinse,” Sybil shouts, “so it doesn’t taste like licking a balloon.”

“Gross.” I catch myself grinning in the bathroom mirror. When was the last time sex felt this fun?

I didn’t expect it to be like this, so open and lighthearted. It’s what my battered heart needed, even if I didn’t know when I signed on to come here. To do this study that—admittedly—I could have performed without having sex with anyone.

But what’s the fun in that?

My face smiles back at me in the mirror. Under my breath, I address my reflection. “Turns out youdoknow how to have fun.”

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