Page 59 of Finding Romance
“Like, this position for instance,” he says as he thrusts his groin against me. I mean, he’s right, we didn’t do it standing up. He’s quiet for a moment. “Are you sore?”
I shake my head. It’s a little bit of a white lie. I am slightly sore, but not enough to keep me from wanting more of Kasen. If I only get him for another week, I’m going to get as much of him as I can possibly have. I can’t imagine a future boyfriend being better at sex than he is.
“Did you enjoy it?” he asks, his forehead pressing against mine.
“If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be asking for more practice, now would I?” I say.
“Good, because I think as your teacher, you need a lot more practice,” he says as he leans in and kisses me again.
I grin and kiss him. “I think.” Kiss. “I’m going to like.” Kiss. “All this practice.” Kiss.
“Your aunt can wait. You need another lesson right now,” Kasen says as he releases the emergency button, grabs my bag, and carries me out and straight into his apartment. I think I like having a pretend boyfriend. But right now, Kasen feels more real than any other guy I’ve ever dated. Will I be able to let him go in a week?
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Kasen
“Kasen, can you have the firewall sorted by Tuesday?” my boss asks. This is the fourth project he’s offered me this week, and like a dumbass, I’ve agreed to take it on. I know he’s down employees and I was gone for a while, but I’ve about reached my limit.
“Colden, that’s going to be a tight timeline. Do they need it by Tuesday?” I question as I look at the progress of my other three projects.
“Unfortunately they do. You’re my best at this. I know I’ve loaded you with work this week, but business is booming,” Colden explains.
Sighing, I rub a hand over my face. I’m going to need to triple my caffeine intake and I will probably need to miss one of my gym sessions. I grimace at what else I’ll be missing. Maybe I can get Piper to come sleep here? Then at least I can help her practice.
Practice. Who am I kidding? I don’t know what changed out at the lake house, but something is different. I know Piper’s leaving in less than a week, but I just can’t accept that. Can I?
“Dude, you still there?” Colden says.
“Yeah, I’ll do my best,” I say and immediately regret it.
“Thanks, I appreciate this. I’ll double your bonus if you get it done on time,” he adds.
“Yeah, yeah. I gotta go,” I say as I disconnect. I really need more coffee before I dive into this. I finish up one test on my coding I worked on all morning and then I head over to get coffee.
It’s nice outside as I cross over to the café. A small part of me wishes I could work outside but my secure setup doesn’t allow that.
“Kasen, you OK?” Cam asks after I order my usual.
“I’m fine. Just swamped,” I explain.
“OK. Remember to hydrate,” Cam scolds as she hands me water and a coffee.
I nod and hurry back to my office. Putting on the headphones, I get down to work on the assignment. Somehow, I lose track of time. I realize the day has passed when my only light is coming from the one on my desk.
Rubbing my eyes, I pull off my headphones and decide to order takeout. It’s late but the moon is bright as I walk down the street to Joe’s Tavern, a local hangout. I order a burger and fries and then sit outside and wait. I have so much to do that even taking an hour off seems stressful. My mind drifts to Piper.
What would dating her for real be like? She’d want to eat dinner with me, probably. And date nights and movie nights and a lot of sex.
I frown. I don’t have room in my life for Piper. Sure, we’d be all over each other for a few weeks, but then what?
I’d be busy with work. She’d be trying to figure out life. I’m more settled and she’s starting out. She’d want all the attention she deserves, and I can’t give her that all the time.
“Kasen?” the hostess's voice rings out from the door. I turn and she hands me my dinner in a box.
“Thanks,” I mutter and head home. If I wasn’t feeling bogged down before, I am now. I eat in silence in my apartment, still trying to figure out a way that it could work with Piper, but by my last fry, I know there’s no hope for us. We are too different and I am too busy and emotionally fucked up to give her what she needs.
I wish she was leaving today. I could rip off the bandage and just get on with life.
