Page 65 of Guarded from Havoc

Erik stares at me for a moment. Indecision wavers before shifting to resignation. “I want to, Tate. More than anything. But.”

In the background, that dumb timer keeps buzzing. And I’ve never been more irritated by it.

“But what?” I ask. “Do you not want to?”

His brows jump up. “Do I notwantto? Fuck. Of course I do. There is nothing I want more than to take you into the bedroom right now. Trust me.”

“The ziti will be fine. We can just take it out and reheat it later.”

“Tate, I don’t care about the ziti.” His hand cups my cheek. “I mean, I care, because you made it. But that’s not why. It’s because you have a concussion. And it’s barely been a week.”

“I’ve been gardening. Practicing yoga.”

“Yes.” Erik kisses me gently on the lips. “But those are low impact activities. Doing all the things I want to do with you is most definitelynotlow impact. That’s why, no matter how badly I want this, how badly I want you, I refuse to take risks with your health.”

“Stupid concussion,” I grumble. “I feelfine.”

Erik’s expression softens. He chuckles. “And I’m glad. But I want to be sure.” He pauses. “How about this? Tonight, we stick to the tamer stuff. Tomorrow, you meet with Jade to have her check you out. And if she thinks you’re really on the mend?—”

I look at Erik, aghast. “You want me to ask Jade if I can have sex with you? I like Jade and all, but I’m not sure how I feel?—”

He jostles me in his lap. A tiny smirk curves his lips. “Tate. Who gave you those sexy as sin workout clothes to practice yoga in? The ones that almost made me swallow my tongue the first time I saw you in them?”

Oh.

“Um. Jade did.”

His smile expands. “Right.” He kisses me again. “And you don’t have to come right out and ask about sex. Just say higher impact activities and leave it at that, if it makes you feel more comfortable.”

I could. I could tell Jade I want to run on the treadmill or do some HIIT workouts or something.

Or I could be honest. Open up to someone I hope will become a friend. Especially if things between Erik and me go the way I hope they do.

“Okay,” I agree. “Only kissing and low impact making out tonight. But after that…”

“After that,” he affirms. “Once you get the all clear, we’ll do anything you want.”

Oh.

“Anything?”

“Anything.”

“Okay.” I wiggle my butt one more time. “Ireallylike the sound of that.”

CHAPTER 13

ERIK

“I made the fudge dipped cookies!”

Tatum beams at me as she opens the door. “I wasn’t sure if they’d turn out right, since I’m still getting used to these appliances. But I think I did a pretty good job with them.”

Considering the mouthwatering scent of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter wafting from the apartment, though I haven’t tasted the cookies yet, I’d have to agree. They smell delicious.

In agreement, my stomach rumbles, reminding me it’s been a long time since the protein shake and egg sandwich I had for breakfast. But as tempting as fudge-dipped cookies sounds, I’d much rather taste something else first.

“They smell great,” I tell her. Then I frame Tatum’s waist and pull her closer, capturing her lips with mine.

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