Page 132 of The Trade

“Deal,” I echo. “You know, I thought we agreed that you’d be naked when I got back.”

She lets out a humorless snort. “No, you agreed on that.”

“Well, lucky for us, I quite enjoy undressing you.” I give her a playful tug, pulling her toward me. “Stand up.”

She complies without hesitation, gently lifting herself up to meet me. My hands, as if guided by muscle memory, navigate their way to her slim waist, fingers gently bunching up the flimsy fabric of her shirt. In one swift motion, I lift it over her head.

“Theo, you’re all sweaty.”

“Is that so?” I ask, my hands already tugging at her shorts. “Does that gross you out?”

“I—uh, no.” Her breath hitches as I press against her. “It’s a good thing you’re so hot.”

“Mm,” I hum, my hands slipping beneath her shorts, tracing the elastic band of her panties. “But I’m still filthy, baby. Will you help me get cleaned up?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Fuck,” I groan out. “I missed—”

Before I can finish, a loud, authoritative knock interrupts us. I reluctantly pull away from my girlfriend and trudge my way over to the door. Swinging it open just enough to peek out, I’m greeted by the disgruntled face of my best friend.

“Hey, man. Sorry to interrupt,” he says, forcing a tight smile. “Just came by to let you know Danny scheduled an emergency practice for tomorrow. Defense wasn’t on their game, apparently. Elliot plans to do the same for y’all.”

The news crushes me. “Fuck, seriously?”

“Yeah, just thought I’d let you know before you made any solid plans.”

“Thanks, Cam. Are you sticking around or ...?”

“I can take a hint, dude.” He snorts a laugh. “I’ll head out. Just need to grab my stuff, and I’ll be gone.”

“We’ll hang out next weekend, alright?”

“Whatever you say, man.”

With that, I close the door, heaving a deep sigh. Our little bubble of bliss has been burst by reality, the promise of more uninterrupted time with Jade now marred by the unexpected practice.

And before Cam’s intrusion, I was mere seconds away from dipping my fingers inside her—from touching places I haven’t felt in weeks. Even the last time, it was only one stolen night we shared. Before that, it’d been nearly a month since everything was right between us.

Or,fuck, since I created the illusion that everything was right.

But now, we are right—pure—so fucking real that it fills the once-empty pit inside my chest. And I was hoping to spend the next two days reveling in it all.

“I know you’re upset, but it’ll be fine,” Jade rushes to assure me. “I entertained myself just fine today, and I can do the same tomorrow.”

“I’m not upset,” I mutter, running a ragged hand through my hair. “I’m pissed off. We barely have any time together as it is.”

She steps closer, pulling me back in. “Then why don’t you take your anger out on me instead?”

“What?”

“Be angry at me,” she amends. “Remember how I snuck out on you? Left you here all alone in the middle of the night.”

My heart pounds. “You—”

“Don’t you think I’ve been a bad girl?” Her fingertips trace the lace on my pants. “Maybe I should be punished.”

My dick twitches. “Oh—fuck.”

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