Page 27 of Defend Me
“You could’ve asked,” I pointed out.
“I don’t always want to make the first move, Tilian.”
My mind tried to return to the memory of that kiss, but I forced it to back down. Reality was the only option right now.
“Maybe you think too highly of yourself,” I noted. “I might not want to chase.”
“Oh,” he said, his voice dropping an octave. It sounded so seductive, it couldn’t possibly be legal. “If you like to be chased, that’s all you have to say.”
I rolled my eyes, even as I laughed. “Nah. It might be that I’m just not into you.”
“Damn,” Oliver exclaimed. “Bet you didn’t expect to be rejected tonight, especially by Tilian.”
“Is that an insult?”
He chuckled. “No. You stare at him a lot in class.”
I grimaced and ducked my head. “He’s pretty. That’s not enough to like someone.”
“What else do you like?” Brooks asked, leaning forward.
“Oreos.”
“Come on. There’s no better way to get to know someone than learning about their kinks.”
“That’s definitely not true,” Dean muttered.
I stared at Brooks and felt myself caving beneath that stare.
“I’ll go if everyone does.”
“Marking,” Oliver chimed in immediately.
We all looked at Dean. He was clearly uncomfortable, but it looked like he was thinking.
“Breeding. Just play, obviously.”
Brooks’ mouth dropped open. “See? I knew we were meant to be friends. I respect you so fucking much right now.”
Dean breathed a laugh, then looked at me.
“I like to be choked,” I said confidently.
Brooks licked his lips and dropped his gaze to my neck. “I like choking.”
“We should go,” Oliver whispered to Dean. “I don’t want to stay for the show.”
“Relax,” Brooks drawled. “We’re not gonna fuck. I’m on a strict strangers only diet for an indeterminable amount of time.”
“Why?” I asked before I had a chance to stop myself.
“Why not?”
“What a shit response.”
“Okay, you lovely little thing. Strangers don’t catch feelings.”
“What’s wrong with feelings?” Oliver asked.
