Page 64 of Tempt Thy Neighbor

Holland

The momentthe sun hits my eyes, pulling me from my slumber, I know I’m alone.

I’m freezing, and if I learned anything last night, it’s that Sutton is like his own little heater.

I reach over to feel the sheets.

Cold.

He’s been gone for a while.

I hate that my initial assumption is that he left me again. That he used me. Got what he wanted and left me hanging just like before.

Then, I smell the bacon and hear his voice, and my panic subsides.

“Hey, you little shit, I saidno. You can’t go bother her. She’s sleeping. Some strapping young man ravaged her last night—many times, thank you very much—so she’s exhausted. Let her rest. Don’t give me that look. Come on, I’ll give you an extra treat.”

Artemis meows and I hear Sutton retreat to the kitchen, with her no doubt following close behind.

Just like that, the reality of last night sinks in.

He was right—everything is different now.

For starters, I can’t stop smiling.

I can’t stop smiling because I had sex with Sutton.

Maybe once upon a time I thought we could have had something, however fleeting it may have been, but I never would have imagined this.

I never would have imagined how good it is. How good it feels. How goodhemakes me feel.

I have no idea how it could ever be any better than this.

I stretch my arms above my head, loving the way my body aches from the brink of exhaustion he took it to last night.

If I close my eyes and think hard enough, I swear I can still feel his hand on me.

And I swear I might never be the same again.

Because once again, Sutton Barnes has ruined me.

I’m not sure how I feel about it.

His confession last night shocked me. I had no idea what he was talking about, but I didn’t doubt what he heard. It seems I need to have a serious talk with my mother when I’ve had a chance to process everything.

Then he said he was sorry, and I could tell he meant for everything.

For high school and all the times he sabotaged me. For four years ago. For sending those emails.

His apology felt sincere, but it wouldn’t be the first time something with Sutton has felt that way, only to have him ruin it.

I want to believe him. I want to trust him. But I’m scared of getting my heart broken again.

Not wanting to ruin my good mood, I tuck those thoughts away, saving them for later when I can dissect them over and over again.

Right now, I have something more pressing to deal with—facing Sutton.

In daylight. Without the shield of lust to hide behind.

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