Page 35 of False Start

"I was seeing someone. Right around the time Adam brought Maya home. It wasn't likeus. I was getting serious with this woman."

From the catch in her breath, I know I've caught her off-guard.

"No one knew. My brothers and I had this bullshit pact to stay away from serious relationships, but none of that mattered when it came to Bethany."

"What happened?" Denise asks quietly. The memory brings a bitter taste to my mouth, but I force myself to continue.

"You already know I work in Finance. Bethany works at the same firm. At least, Ithinkshe does. I haven't seen her in months. Anyway, when it got back to my boss that we were dating, he was not happy. Apparently, VIP clients expect a certain type of woman to be on the arm of traders and Bethany wasnotit."

Denise is quick to put the pieces together.

"So when you told Adam he should consider whether he wanted Maya on his arm…"

"I was just repeating what my boss had told me," I finish for her. I shake my head, reliving my shame from that day in Robert's office.

"I pushed Bethany away because I was too chickenshit. Too caught up in trying to get a promotion, in fitting in with the other traders at Banks Ripley. Which is impossible, by the way, considering my boss has made it clear many times that he sees me as nothing but a token Asian.

"Then Adam brings Maya home, and…" I sigh. "Now I see what it looks like when you're man enough to stand by your girl, regardless of who anyone else thinks you should want."

Denise is silent for a long time, and the back of my neck starts to sweat. I've never told anyone that. It certainly doesn't paint me in the best light.

"I'm assuming, from your boss's reaction, and thenyourreaction to Maya, that Bethany was a big girl?"

I nod, and a sly smile spreads on Denise's face. Fingers crossed it isn't herI'm-about-to-murder-you-and-dispose-of-the-body-in-the-East-Riversmile.

"You have a thing for big girls, huh? How ironic."

I let out a shaky laugh.

"Not just big girls. I like all kinds of women, though I'm partial to those built like Jessica Rabbit."

I openly check her out, my gaze settling first on her magnificent breasts, then the sizable thighs currently pressed against mine. She swats my arm playfully.

"Behave."

She scoots away and bites her lip to hide her smile.

"Whatever do you mean, Denise?"

I scoot until our sides are pressed together again. She glares at me, but there's fire dancing in her eyes.

"Don't get any ideas, Cory. I brought you here to say thank you for helping me out today. That's it."

"Of course," I say, in a mock gentlemanly voice. "And I just want to say thank you for the meal."

I lean towards her, giving her enough time to back away if she wants. When she remains still, I lick the racing pulse in her neck.

"I'm not sure this is a good idea," she practically whines. I don't point out that her fingers are currently tangled in my hair, holding me in place.

"I think it's a great idea. What better way to blow off some steam after a stressful class?"

I trail my tongue from her throat, down her shirt, and bite her nipples through the fabric. She whimpers.

"Nothing too personal, OK?" she breathes as I give the same treatment to the other nipple. "Lets just keep it fun and light."

I nod.

I'm done pretending; I like this woman. Way more than just a fuck-buddy, and it's probably written all over my face. But after last time, she's even more cagey with me. Guarded. She's the first woman that's more commitment-phobic than me. If sex is the only thing on the table, I guess I'll take what I can get.

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