Page 27 of The Trade

Shifting onto my side, I trace a light path across his firm abdomen. “Did you want me to return the favor?”

“No, thank you.”Wait, what?“I just liked watching you.”

Well, I’m certainly not going to beg the guy to let me blow him. “Okay.”

“Do you want me to leave now?”

“Uh, no?” I say, although I would’ve preferred if he’d never come over in the first place.

“Okay, cool.” He seems relieved, nodding as he rolls over to retrieve his T-shirt. “Can I stay the night, then?”

“Sure . . .” I manage to whisper out, baffled.

In a haze, I ease off the bed and wander to my bathroom. I swiftly clean myself up. And when I return, I find Fred already deep in slumber, my bedcovers wrapped snugly around his lower body.

Well, it appears we’re going to sleep now. Together. As if this encounter could possibly get any more awkward.

* * *

The next morning,I’m woken up by a loud knock on my apartment door.

I roll over, cringing when I collide with the Fred-shaped lump beside me. Last night was probably one of the worst nights of sleep I’ve ever had. Not only does Fred snore, but he also turned my bed into a fucking furnace.

Regrettably, our date ended with me both sweaty and exhausted ... and not in an enjoyable way. My shirt sticks to my skin as I slide out of bed. I take a few moments to adjust it, trying to conceal the strip of exposed skin peeking above my shorts.

As I swing open the front door, the realization hits me that it’s well past nine in the morning.

“Oh, hey, Theo.” My greeting is laced with anxiety as I subconsciously tug at my bottom lip. God, I must look like a hot mess. “Sorry, I forgot you were coming by.”

“Uh . . . hey,” he says, his expression filled with confusion. “Where’s your sweatshirt?”

“Huh?” My gaze drops to my chest, puzzled.

“Your . . . lucky sweatshirt,” he clarifies, his nostrils flaring. “You’re not wearing it.”

“Oh?” I raise a brow. “Yeah . . . I mean, it’s not like I actually live in the thing.”

“Right.” His jaw tightens, his face glowing with an unreadable expression. “Of course not.”

“Right.” I return his odd gaze. “So, are you just gonna stare at me, or did you have something else you wanted to say?”

“Fuck, uh, sorry.” He rubs at the back of his neck, eyes flickering nervously across my face. “No, I just wanted to come by and bring you the coffee. Iced soy latte, right?”

“Mhm.” I reach out, gratefully accepting the chilled drink from his outstretched hand. “Thank you.”

“Sure,” he manages in a husky voice.

“Yeah, okay.” I shuffle in place, my gaze instinctively drifting toward my bedroom. “Well, not sure if you were hoping to say ‘hi’ or something, but Shan isn’t home right now.”

“Nah, I just—”

“Jade?” Fred’s voice, laced with concern, cuts through the quiet between us, emanating from down the hallway.

A wave of tension washes over me, my body going rigid as I find myself locked in a staring contest with West. His smirk leaves no room for misinterpretation.

“Who wasthat?”

“Ugh,” I groan, an involuntary reaction. “No one.”

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