Page 72 of Tangled Like Us
“Yes.”
“You still trust me?”
“Immensely.”
I nod once. “That’s why.”
Jane smiles softly. “Just for clarity between us, I’ve thought the same: that you’d be the exception if I were to ever touch a dick again—but I won’t touch yours,” she adds quickly. “We’re strictly fake boyfriend and fake girlfriend. Sex should stay out of bounds, I wholeheartedly agree.”
My expression hardens.
I can’t think about how she’d allow me to get her off. Because I hate that she’s been hurt in the past and that’s part of why she’d need me. On top of that, I hate that I’m jealous at even the idea of her opening up to another guy. When she should heal those wounds. When it’s not evenpossiblefor her and me to be together for real.
And I fucking hate Nate.
Oh and one more: buried beneath all these professional restrictions and complications, I want to bring her to the edge with orgasms so fucking intense they eke out her energy and sink her to sleep.
Inappropriate.
That’s the circle of hell I’ve been having a picnic in.
Jane shifts around the wooden post and leans on her bed, hands flat beside her waist on the pink duvet. “When we sayno sex, maybe we should be more specific.”
I never flinch. “Specifically, my cock isn’t going inside your pussy.”
Jane crosses her ankles, her chest concaving in arousal. “I usually dislike when guys saypussy, but…that was good…very direct and assertive.” She smooths her lips together. “Assertiveness suits you.” She straightens up again and dusts her skirt, and our eyes meet in raw desire.
Fuck.
My muscles flame. Nerves scorched. I’m literally pinning myself to the fucking door. I can’t talk about this with her right now.
Not in her bedroom.
Not when we’re severing a shitload of rope that’ll allow me to move in closer.
“Let’s talk about something else,” I tell Jane.
She’s quick to change the subject like it’s as easy as counting to three. “We have to convince the world we’re madly in love.” She drifts to the vanity and then gracefully lowers onto the stool until she wobbles on the uneven floorboards. Jane catches her balance and then her big blue eyes lift up to me. “Do you have any experience in this area? Love.”
We’re really doing this.
I’ve wanted to.
I almost can’t believe I have the ability now.
“We should research,” Jane says in my silence. “Shouldn’t we?”
“We should,” I confirm.
She snaps off a hair tie, letting her wavy hair loose. “Well, you already know I’m looking down the barrel of four previous friends-with-benefits and zero boyfriends.”
“Why no boyfriends?” I ask.
Her eyes are on mine while she slips on a purple cat-ear headband. “Fame makes serious relationships utterly complicated, and it always seemed like too much stress. I’d rather put energy into my family.”
I nod.
She easily reads my features. “You’re not surprised.”
