Page 35 of Fast Currents
I snorted. “What do you have that’s so interesting?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” he teased, grinning broadly.
“Tell me.”
He pouted. “I’d rather show you.” I glared, happy to wait him out. He huffed. “Fine. I may have a few strategically placed moles.”
“What makes themstrategicallyplaced?” I asked.
“If you play connect the dots, they spell something.”
“What?”
“I’m not telling,” he said piously.
“Why not?”
“It’s your reward. When you finally trust me enough to get naked, you’ll find out. Consider it the prize at the end of the game.”
“And in this metaphor, you’re the prize, Robertson?”
He grinned, eyes dancing with humor. “Exactly.” He spread his arms wide, fingers spread. “You just let me know when you’re ready, honey.”
“I don’t know what to do with you.” I clasped my hands on top of my head, twisting slowly from side to side.
I’d shared my darkest secrets, and he’d turned them into another game. One I desperately wanted to win. It was like he saw through the doubt and insecurity, zeroing in on how to destroy my misgivings.
“That’s easy, honey. The answer is anything you want. We can go fast… We can go slow… You’re in control.”
“What if I don’t want to be in charge?” I challenged, not sure where the idea came from.
“You can ask for that too.”
How had I gone from fear of rejection to wanting to tackle him to the ground? Part frustration, part eagerness—he knew just how to get me in the game.
“I have a few questions first.”
He flipped his palms up, elbows at his sides. “Ask away, honey. I’m an open book.”
“What do those freckles spell, exactly?”
He tsked. “No cheating. That’s a prize for later.”
I crossed my arms, frowning. “Fine. I’ve already told you it’s been a while for me. I’ve done all the testing, but I still believe in wrapping it up. What’s your situation?”
His lip twitched, like he was amused by my euphemism. “I haven’t been with anyone since Jen. But I also haven’t been to the doctor.” He shrugged. “You know men. We’re invincible. I bought condoms recently, so we’re covered.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Howrecently?”
“The day after I met you.”
Something in me turned to mush. Even if his intent was just sex, I couldn’t fault his timing. The chemistry between us was hard to ignore. Maybe he saw something in my eyes, because he asked, “Haveyoustocked up recently?”
I shifted, avoiding his gaze. “Maybe.”
He leaned in, capturing my chin in his palm. “What happened to honesty, Luce?”
Huffing, I leaned back, breaking our connection. “The market may have had a run on condoms that day, okay?”
