“This isn’t a conclusion I just came to, Hayls. I’ve wanted to fuck you since you first wrapped your pretty little mouth around my throbbing cock, sucking me dry. It’s throbbing now, just thinking about it.”
“Jesus Christ, Reed. I want that too. But we can’t.”
“Why?” I’m quick to respond. I realized how much I loved her tonight and I’m done holding back. “We kiss, we hold hands, we whisper sweet nothings into each other’s ear. We do everything else. So why not take it all the way?”
“Because it’s fake.”
“Is it?” I ask as my heart pounds in my chest.
“Reed.” She huffs out a laugh. “What’s gotten into you?”
Fucked if I know but I’m going for it.“Say for argument’s sake that itisfake. Have you never fucked someone after a first date just for the fun of it?”
“You know I have.”
“And so have I. Hell, we weren’t even dating. So, think of it that way. Only you’ve been a tease and made me wait months while I fawn over you whenever I get the chance.”
“Reed, you’re being ridiculous.” Hayley bursts out laughing, likely thinking I’m joking, but it’s either this or I tell her I love her, and she’s not ready for that.
I need to show her first.
“Okay, Wildcat.” I shrug, getting up to shower. “Your loss.”
I move to undo the buttons on my shirt, but a sharp pain shoots through my knuckles and I almost double over. Here I was trying to make Hayley want me, and now I’m in crippling pain. Which, of course, she notices, rushing to my aid.
“Let me do that so you don’t open your wound.”
“I’m fine.” They patched me up at the police station, only there wasn’t much care given. Not that I’m complaining; they could have held me overnight.
“You’re not fine,” Hayley snaps. “Let me help.” She doesn’t wait for me to respond before working her way down my buttons, her movements fast until she gets to the last one and my shirt falls open. “Jesus, Reed,” she hisses, her eyes on the bruise I felt forming below my abs, where that asshole got me multiple times.
“You should see the other guy,” I joke, and she tries to fight it but after a few seconds she bursts out laughing, making me laugh along with her, and… “Fuck, that hurts.”
“Stop joking then.”
“What else do you want me to do? Cry?”
“Do you want to cry?”
“Fuck, no. I’m fine. I’ve had worse bruises playing football.”
“But you wear protection.”
“Not when my fake girlfriend decides I should give Aussie Rules a try, all in the name of charity. That sport is brutal. Why the fuck don’t they wear anything under their jerseys?”
“Under their guernsey, you mean?”
“Whatever.”
“Well, they’re not pussies,” she jokes. At least, I hope she’s joking or— She giggles again and I fake a smile. “Oh, your face. It’s a completely different sport. You threw yourself into it a lot harder than they do considering it was some fun on the beach.”
“So you’re saying I was better?”
“God, no. I would use the word ‘different.’”
“Okay, Jesus. Can you finish undressing me already? Let’s get the rest of my humiliation over with before I shower.” I deliver my request with a gruff voice and straight face, until Hayley’s eyes widen and she bites back a smile.
“Okay, tough guy, let’s get you cleaned up.”
