Page 129 of Facing Off
Where has this come from? Was it always there? For how long?
And can I therapy-tap it? With my face?
50
SONYA
He’s adjusting himself.Doing something with his shirt, so it hangs differently. Looser. There’s an attempt to hide the way the front of his pants is bent out of shape.
Every inch of my body fires hot. Molten. Why is a man trying to hide how much he’s turned on so hot?
Adrian’s rearrangement stops. He has to be quick, because I could be back with water at any?—
Shit! The water!
I get some, no bubbles. On the way back, it sloshes over the rim. Adrian grabs what’s left and drains the glass. Then we’re on the couch together, facing off again.
“There’s a second part to the therapy,” he starts.
I’ve seen the shape of your massive dick! At least twice now!
“Oh, yeah,” I say faintly. “Where else do you touch yourself?”
He stills entirely, then his incredulous laugh is strained. “The touching…we already went over that. What you’re supposed to do is pair it with words. Statements. You say your fears out loud and your acceptance of them. For example—” He taps the side of his jaw. “Even though I’m afraid the Wings won’t make the playoffs again, I deeply and completely accept myself.”
“Are you cured now?” I deadpan, my tongue pressing against the inner side of my cheek.
“Just try it.”
“Okay, touch me.”
Blue eyes darken. “No—it’s?—”
“You touch me and I talk.”
I shouldn’t do this. Back in Oslo, when I ran from Adrian at the club, it’s because I had so many valid fears about what was happening between us. That touching him could make my world turn upside down, and yet here I am. Wanting it again like I can’t stop myself.
Adrian swallows. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I’m sure.”
He starts by tapping the curve of my cheek. “Go on, darling. What’s your stress? What are your fears? What are you afraid of?”
I struggle to pick one.
“Even though…” he starts me off.
“I…might not dance again without falling…”
“You deeply and fully…” he encourages.
“….accept myself…”
“Good girl.”
My vagina clenches harder.
“Keep going,” he says. “Get them all out. Don’t stop.”
