Page 104 of The Influencer

I hold my breath. I don’t like where he’s going with this at all.

“See?” he says, when he catches a glimpse of my face. “I don’t want to put that on you. It’s not fair. You have every right not to want me.”

“But you know I want you,” I whisper.

Creases appear between his eyes, like he’s not sure he believes me. “Then is this just a game? And why?”

“I don’t know.”

“You’re scared,” he says, like he can see right through me.

I nod.

“Of?”

“I’ve been kind of a mess since you left,” I confess, my voice still barely audible. “I haven’t liked anyone this much since… well… kind of like…ever.”

“You know I feel the same way, right?”

“Not really. I mean, you said you were dead inside.”

“I’m working on it.”

“Just not with me, huh? Because I’m temporary and non-monogamous?

“It has nothing to do with monogamy. I promise.”

I fidget with the hem of his shirt. “Don’t you think that’s odd?”

“I don’t know what to think about it,” he says. “But I don’t want you to change. Especially not for me.”

I already am changing for him, though. There’s been no stopping it. “How do you want to do this, then?” I ask.

“Do what?”

“Proceed with this situationship?”

“Can we wait and see what happens?” he asks. “Just keep me in the loop?”

I nod, locking eyes with him.

“Do I have to keep my hands off you in bed?”

“No,” I say softly, melting once again for him.

“Okay, good.” He gives me a tender smile and kisses my cheek. “Then I’m ready to get in bed with you.”

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck…

I think I just fell in love with him.

Fuck.

30

asher

Not only does Jade let me touch him in bed—he wants more, and I’m all too willing to give it to him. It starts with my hand on his chest and a kiss that gets too hot, too fast.

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