Page 23 of Legacy

“Fine. Good.” I peel open my book again, curling my knees up.

Jesse sits in the recliner that faces the couch, and he’s scrolling through his phone. But when I look up and stare a second too long, he smirks, catching me.

Asshole.

“What?” I ask when he finally meets my gaze.

“The Billionaire’s Dark and Wicked Desires?”

Heat floods my core as I slap the book shut, realizing the shirtless-man cover is on full display for him.

“It has an intricate plot.” I tuck the book to my chest.

He chuckles. “I’m sure it does.”

“You don’t get to judge my smutty romance books.” I jut my chin up. “At least my debauchery is fictional.”

“As opposed to?”

“Whatever was going on at your clubhouse when I arrived.”

He hums, and I wonder if I sound even more inexperienced by bringing that up.

“It’s just a book,” I mumble.

“I wasn’t judging.” He picks up his phone again.

But now that we’ve started this conversation, I can’t seem to drop it. I’m too curious.

Turning, I slide my feet off the couch and plant them on the floor, looking down to see the lush carpet swallow my toes.

“Is it always like that?”

“Is it always like what?” His eyebrow quirks.

“Your club? Is it always so loud and wild?”

“The guys like to party.” He shrugs, shoving his phone into his pocket.

“And you?”

Jesse rakes his hand through his hair, seeming uncomfortable with my question, even if I’m not sure why. I have no right to judge him.

“Everyone needs an escape sometimes. Even me.” His gaze falls to my book. “And sometimes thefictionalkind just doesn’t cut it.”

I asked, and I shouldn’t care what Jesse does or who he finds relief with. Still, it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on its ends the longer he stares at me.

“Just stay in the neighborhood, and you’ll be able to avoid it.”

I nod, not responding with words because then he might see the full force of my curiosity. As terrifying as it was being in a room with no social boundaries, I couldn’t help wondering what it would be like to indulge in Jesse’s life.

I bet it’s a breath of fresh air.

Being free to have fun and make my own choices is something I was never allowed. My sister got the honor of being the reckless daughter, while I had to play the good one. Between my family holding me up to impossible standards and my ex-boyfriends preferring me polite and quiet, I’ve never been given the chance to make my own mistakes or have my own voice.

I’ve never experienced the type of escape Jesse indulges in.

And I find myself ridiculously jealous. Not just of the women he no doubt takes to his bed but of the freedom in his ability to do it.

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