Page 77 of Not the Plan

“How was it? I want details.”

She glanced at the door. She knew the click of that lock, knew that no one would be interrupting them. Anyone who came by could assume she wasn’t in yet.

“I am sore all over,” she whispered, leaning into him. “He can do things with his lips and tongue…” She shivered and grabbed RJ’s arm with both hands, rolling her forehead on his shoulder. “I don’t know exactly what he was doing down there, or even how. All I know is he is spectacular at it. And helovesdoing it. I had to make him stop.” She lifted her head and let out a breath, her unfocused gaze sweeping over a bare section of wall. She sighed. “Wouldn’t be surprised if he has a bald spot from me latching onto his hair every time I lost control.”

“You do know I’m hating you right now, don’t you? Well, I’m happy for you, because I love you, but I hate you.” He smiled.

She sighed again.

“When was this?” he asked.

“Saturday night. His place. I think I slept at some point…. We ordered dinner in. Wasn’t much point in getting dressed.”

RJ started to speak, but she caught her mistake.

“No.Technicallythings started Friday in the basement.”

RJ raised an eyebrow. “You didn’t.”

“No. Just a little making out before we were interrupted. No one saw us. Then Saturday night, then most of the day on Sunday.”

Eyes widening, RJ tilted his head to one side. “Well. Sounds like our boy has some stamina.”

“You havenoidea.”

“So?”

“So?”

“What does this mean? Are you guys like a thing?”

“Mean?” She lifted her head off his shoulder. “It means I spent the night with Karim; that’s what it means. It means he’s good in bed and I have the aches and pains—and apparently at least one hickey—to prove it.”

“Do you want to do it again?”

“Hell yes. But…”

“But?”

She shrugged and pushed away, to pick up her cup. “There’s a lot, you know?”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “What, exactly? Tell me.”

She didn’t want to do this. To enumerate all the wise, logical, responsible reasons why sleeping with Karim again, really starting something with him, was a bad idea. She’d avoided all of that, shoved it from her mind the moment she asked him to take her to bed. But now she was back at work. And all ofthatwas staring her in the face. She took a deep breath to answer, but RJ spoke first.

“If Daniel finds out, do you think he will doubt your loyalty?”

“No.”

“If Julian finds out, do you think he’ll try to get Karim to spy on you or something?” He went back to his cup, stirring in some sugar.

“Maybe.”

“Do you think Karim would do that?”

“No, never.” Her certainty came as a surprise. RJ’s expression reflected it back. “Sorry,” she said. “Kinda snapped at you there.”

“No, it’s fine.” He covered his smirk by taking a sip. “Are you worried about what other people might think, that you’re letting yourself be used? Or betraying Daniel?”

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