Page 53 of Consummation

“What’s gotten into you? You had ice in your veins last time and now you’re acting like a mouse.”

I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself. “Well, yeah. This time, I’m actually gonna do it. Plus, I haven’t seen Josh all week—it’s been a bit of a rough week. He’s somehow gotten hotter since I last saw him, if that’s possible.” I peep through the door again. “Oh my god, he looks amazing. He’s wearing this incredible blue suit that fits him perfectly. Really brings out his eyes. Gah.”

Bridgette laughs. “Pull yourself together, Kat. I think I liked you better when you were Heidi Kumquat.”

Josh bangs on the door. “Kat?”

“Hang on!” I call through the door. “I’ll be right there!”

“Take off your clothes,” Bridgette says. “We’re gonna give him a show, remember?”

“Oh yeah. I almost forgot.” I peel off my clothes, revealing a hot pink lace bra and G-string underneath.

“Very nice,” Bridgette says, blatantly ogling me.

Josh knocks again.

“Hang on!” I call through the door.

Shit. I’m suddenly wracked with nerves. I’ve arranged this threesome to prove to Josh I’m the anti-Emma—that I truly love him—all of him—even the parts that make him a sick fuck. But what if he unexpectedly pulls some caveman shit on me and declares, “Nobody touches my Party Girl with a Hyphen but me!”? A counter-move like that would undeniably stroke my ego (just like it did last time), but it certainly wouldn’t get me any closer to my mission ofowningJosh in a way no other woman ever has. By God, if it’s the last thing I do, I’m gonna worm my way into Josh’s damaged heart—even if I have to sneak in through a hidden trap door marked “Sick Fuck.”

Josh knocks again. “Kat?” he yells through the door.

“Hang on!” I yell. “Don’t forget,” I say to Bridgette. “You’re only allowed to touch yourself and me, but—”

“Not Josh,” Bridgette interrupts. “Yes, yes, you’ve made that perfectly clear. I’m a hooker, you’re my client, and Josh isyourclient—you’ve already told me all that. Trust me, I have no desire to touch that asshole ever again. I’m here for no other reason than I want to fuck you, plain and simple—so let that kinky bastard in so I can finally get my hands on you.”

“Before I let him in the room, I’m gonna talk to him at the door for a minute, just me and him.”

Bridgette looks at me suspiciously.

“We’re not gonna ditch you, I promise.”

“I’ll give you five minutes, and if you don’t come back into the room by then, I’m outta here.”

I open the door and quickly slip my body in front of it, keeping it open just a tad with my backside.

Josh’s eyes instantly blaze at the sight of me. “Please answer thedoor dressed like this every fucking time.” He sweeps me into his arms and devours me with a passionate kiss. “Oh God, I’ve missed you. I was such a prick to you this week—forgive me.” He takes my face in his palms and kisses me again. “I felt like I was dying without you all week long.”

Oh God, I wanna tell him I love him. I’m aching to say the words, physically aching. “I’ve been in pain without you,” I mumble into his lips, my heart racing.

“I can’t live without you, baby,” he replies, kissing me furiously. “I...” He pauses and every hair on my body stands on end. “I...”

I hold my breath. This is it. I canfeelit.

“I can’t live without you,” he finally says.

Oh, well, not what I was hoping for, but I can’t complain. I run my hands through his hair and kiss him passionately, pushing my pelvis into his hard-on.

Josh breaks away from kissing me and cranes his neck, obviously trying to look through the small gap in the door. “Why are we standing at the door?” he asks.

Oh yeah.Bridgette. When all the blood in my brain whooshed into my crotch, I instantly forgot all about the supermodel on the other side of the door.

“We’re standing at the door because I have a surprise for you,” I reply.

Josh cranes his neck to look past me again, but the crack in the door is too narrow for him to see inside. “I got your note,” he breathes, his voice brimming with excitement. “You said you’re gonna be mywindowtonight?” Josh looks like he’s literally holding his breath.

“Yeah,” I say. “I’m your window—and I’ve invited someone quite lovely to be our window dressing.”

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