Page 74 of Romancing His Heart
I don’t get yours either, sweetheart, but give me time.
“So,” clearing my throat, I fight to sound casual, “we’ll take it one day at a time while we’re here. We’ll just see how things go.”
“We’ll be friends with benefits?”
Internally I cringe. It’s better than fuck buddies, I guess.
Focusing my attention on the sauce in front of me, I shrug my shoulders. “If that’s what you want to call it.” When she doesn’t reply, I glance up to find her watching me.
“What?” Peering down, I make sure my cock hasn’t fallen out of the sweatpants.
Fucking Preston and the underwear.
“Friends with benefits doesn’t fit the version of you I’ve built up in my head,” she admits.
I swallow hard. How the hell do I answer that?
“Well, how about if we leave all preconceived notions at the door? I’ve been alone for a long time because I’ve had to be. But I haven’t been celibate if that answers any questions for you.”
“How many people have you slept with?” she asks. Coming closer, she sits on the counter next to me.
“Eight.”
“Huh.”
“Huh, good or huh, gross?” I’m not sure why it matters, but suddenly, I want to know how she feels about it.
“Just huh? Not as many as I would have thought.”
“Well, I was a late bloomer. And, as an adult, I haven’t had much free time. What about you? How many people have you slept with?”
“Two.”
I’m stirring the sauce and pause at her response. “Was I the second or third?”
“No, I’ve slept with two people total, so you’re the second.”
I turn the burner off but don’t move away from it. Exhaling slowly until I’m sure my voice can remain calm, I turn to her.
“The man who hurt you—”
“Did not rape me,” she whispers. “A-A neighbor stopped him.”
The wooden spoon I’m holding snaps in my hand.
Hopping off the counter, Sloane places a hand on my arm. “It didn’t happen. I’m okay.”
“That’s why you wake up scared every night.”
“Yes.” She doesn’t elaborate, and I’m not sure I want her to. “Listen, I just have a lot of baggage. My mother abandoned us. My father is or was a violent alcoholic. My sisters gave up their lives to care for me. I’ve always been in the way. I’m not good for anyone, Loki. That’s why I keep relationships at arm’s length.”
Bull shit.
“I doubt anyone else sees things that way, Red.”
“You’re probably right, but I’m done living my life with rose-colored glasses. So, friends with benefits, huh?” She flashes a mischievous grin.
“Sounds good to me,” I lie. Staring into Sloane’s emerald eyes, I know I want forever with this girl. I don’t know what that entails or what I’ll have to do to convince her, but I’ve never been a quitter. We’ll start as friends with benefits if that makes her feel better. But I also know with absolute certainty, I’m going to demolish her walls and then help her rebuild.
