Page 95 of Faking the Pass
“I’ll admit there’s some… residual attraction there,” she said. “But this isn’t high school, Pres. I’m sorry you’re disappointed you never made a conquest of me back then, but this isn’t some rescheduled rainout game you’ve got to play to preserve your perfect record.”
What the fuck?
My mood flashed from half-amused exasperation to insulted.
When we’d dated in high school, I’d gone out of my waynotto make a “conquest” of Rosie because I knew I couldn’t stay with her.
I’d been clinging to that noble intention even after giving her the engagement ring. But things had changed.
At least for me.
I was pretty sure they had for her too, otherwise why would she have kissed me?
“I’m not playing games,” I said. “I’m being completely honest with you—I want you, Rosie. You’re a beautiful woman, andyou’ve been driving me crazy with all your little ‘honeymoon outfits’ and bikinis. I think you want me, too, or you wouldn’t have felt the need to draw up that ridiculous contract in the first place.”
I pulled the notebook from her hands and closed it with a clap.
Her eyes looking up at me were huge and beautiful and so full of obvious desire it made me want to just sweep her up and carry her to the bedroom and get on with what was rapidly becoming inevitable.
Rosie’s gaze dropped to my lips, charging my heart with a jolt of hope. Shedidwant me—physically at least.
No matter how much I wanted all the rest, she wasn’t ready for it.
She was understandably spooked after her experience with Randy. It was going to take time for her to heal and get over that, so for now, I’d have to stop myself from saying things that might scare her.
Instead, I said, “We don’t need a contract, and we don’t need anyone’s permission. We’re both adults now. I think we can handle a little harmless vacation sex.”
That hungry look in Rosie’s eyes vanished, replaced by a hard, knowing gleam.
“Speak for yourself,” she said. “I’m sure you’ve had lots and lots of casual hookups. But before Randy, I didn’t have a lot of boyfriends. I had several jobs and was working all the time and taking care of my mom. I didn’t really have time for relationships. Anyway, if I was going to have casual sex with someone, it wouldn’t beyou. I don’t—”
She stopped, and I thought she wasn’t going to finish the sentence—which I was dying to hear the end of.
Was she starting to say she didn’t think she could handle a mere hookup?
Was she trying to tell me she hadmorethan sexual feelings toward me?
Then she finished the thought.
“I don’t feel that way about you.”
All my rising hopes dropped like a popped balloon, scraps lying lifeless around my feet.
“Now I’m tired, and I’m going to bed,” Rosie said. “Try not to wake me when you come in.”
She spun on her heel and headed for the bedroom in a near-sprint.
I stood and watched her go, my jaw hanging open at the blatant lie.
Chapter 23
The Amendment
Rosie
I wasn’t sure where Presley had slept last night, but it wasn’t in the bed with me.
Which should have made me happy. I’d wanted to restore a safe distance between us, and apparently I’d succeeded.
