Page 88 of Promising You
“You’re in New York? I didn’t know your mom was taking you there.”
“Mom’s not here. Just me. I made you a picture, Garret.”
“Okay, I’ll see it when you get back. When are you coming home?”
“I don’t know. I have to go. Grandpa’s taking me for ice cream. Bye.”
She hangs up.
“That’s strange,” Garret says. “Katherine never leaves Lilly like that. Not even with her parents. She always stays with her.” He puts his phone away. “Let’s go upstairs and change.”
Being in his room again brings up memories of us together in his bed.
“I can’t be in here without thinking about—you know.”
He laughs. “What, Jade? Say it.”
“I don’t need to say it. You know what I mean.”
He stands in front of me and walks slowly forward, forcing me to walk backward until I fall back onto the bed. Then he lies over me, his face hovering over mine.
“You mean sex? This room reminds you of the first time we had sex? And all the other times after that?”
I feel my cheeks getting hot. “See? You knew what I was saying.”
“Yeah, but I think it’s funny how you never say it. Like it’s some dirty word even though I’ve heard you curse plenty of times. I think I’ve only heard you say the word sex like three or four times.”
“Whatever. I just don’t like the word. They should come up with a better one.”
“Like what? Make love?”
“Ugh. No. That’s even worse.”
“Say it, Jade. Just say the word. It’s not a big deal.”
“I can’t just say the word without it being attached to something.”
He’s laughing again. “Okay. Say ‘I’m dying to have sex with Garret right now, but I’m too afraid to ask for it.’”
“I am not saying that.” I try to squirm away from him. “Let me up.”
“Not until you say it.” He kisses the ticklish part of my neck, right in the back under my hair.
“Stop! Please,” I say, laughing as I try to push him away.
The tickling stops, but he won’t let me up. “I’m waiting.”
“Fine.” I sigh. “I’m dying to have sex with Garret right now, but I’m too afraid to ask for it. There. Can I get up now?”
He doesn’t move. “But you’re dying to have sex with me. And I can’t disappoint you, especially on Valentine’s Day.”
I smile. “We’ll be late for dinner.”
He puts his lips just above mine and whispers. “I know the owner. We can be late.”
And we are. What can I say? I can’t resist him.
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