Page 26 of Tempt My Heart

The crowd parted and they stepped into an idling town car. Christopher’s was still in the impound, apparently it took longer to release objects than people, so they were stuck using a car service for the time being.

The trip to her place was unfortunately short and she half-wished he would take her home with him—but that wasn’t in the cards. The orgasm may have been real, and so was the attraction between them, but the relationship was fake and she couldn’t let herself forget it.

As soon as she got home, Ali was ready for a long shower and bed.

Jesse looked up at her as the door closed, her greeting faltering as she caught a look at her. "Jeez. Did he take you rock climbing on your first date or something?"

"What? No. Why?" She threw her keys onto the kitchen counter as she kicked off her heels.

"Well then why are you all red and sweaty—" Jesse's eyes widened as a cat-like grin flashed across her face. "Freya! Come quick! And bring the bottle!"

"Jesse—" Ali protested but by then her other roommate had opened her door and joined them.

"Oh my god, I thought you were joking," Freya said as she grinned at them both and grabbed the bottle of champagne she'd had in the fridge for months.

"I thought you were saving that for a special occasion," she said, confused, and Freya and Jesse wore identical looks of glee.

"Yep! The occasion being: Ali slept with her boss!"

"Are you serious?"

They nodded their heads and Freya gave her a kiss on the cheek as she grabbed three glasses from the cupboard above the cereal.

"Ali, you're a horrible liar. We knew you were in denial, so we bought the bottle and ran a bet."

At first she was outraged, her mouth dropping open as she took a breath to scold them, but then curiosity got the best of her. "Who won?"

"By the looks of things, I'd say you babe." Jesse waggled her eyebrows and Ali snorted.

"You lasted longer than either of us predicted."

"Gee, thanks," Ali muttered before accepting the glass of bubbles being thrust toward her.

"We need details."

"Was he a good kisser?"

"How many times did you do it?"

"I've heard his cock is massive so we obviously need verification from you."

Alison shot Jesse a look for that final comment and then sighed. "We didn't have sex."

They both paused, their glasses halfway to their mouths and an accusatory look in their eyes.

"Spill."

"He, um, touched me. Under the table."

Jesse blew out a whistle. "Damn, girl. You had me worried for a second that we opened the bottle too soon."

"It counts?"

"Sex doesn't have to be just penetrative," Freya said matter of factly and Ali nodded.

"I think you were right," Ali said with a sigh. "We should have established boundaries. I'm going to go shower and turn in for the night. Enjoy the champagne," she said, downing her drink and nodding to the glasses they held as her roommates clinked them together.

After her shower, Ali settled in her room and decided to let her hair air dry naturally. It meant it would be curlier than usual tomorrow but she couldn't bring herself to care, her mind was busy elsewhere.

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