Page 27 of Code Name: Michelangelo

“Are you really agreeing to this, or do you think I’ll change my mind?”

“I do have questions. Clarifications.”

Of course he did. I folded my arms. “Well?”

“What constitutes sex, precisely?”

“Come on, Brand. I’m serious about this.” I was ready to end this conversation and leave. I was perfectly capable of getting back to New York on my own.

His forehead furrowed. “No more than I am. I simply want us to define which lines cannot be crossed.”

“No. Sex.”

“May I kiss you?” he asked.

“Probably not a good idea.”

He grimaced. “Definitely a shame. Let me ask it this way. Are we dating, or do things between us have to be entirely platonic?”

I had to think about it. I never expected him to agree at all. “Platonic for now.”

He nodded once. “Okay. No kissing, hand holding, or arms around your shoulders. Cuddling of any kind is definitely out. Hand on the small of your back?”

“I can’t tell if you’re joking.”

He never took his eyes off me. He barely blinked. “I assure you I am entirely serious. As hard as this may be, the outcome will be worth it.”

“What is the outcome, Brand?”

“Simple. You. Me. Together. Forever.” He enunciated each word but put greater emphasis on the last one.

“Is that what you really want?”

“I’d give anything to make a life with you, Butterfly. Or give up anything.”

“How can you be so sure? You hardly know me.”

He leaned forward and rubbed the back of my hand with the pad of his thumb. “You know that isn’t true.”

“No. I guess it isn’t.”

He moved his hand so he was no longer touching me. “I won’t lie and say this will be easy. It definitely will not. I simply want to touch you every chance I get, which will now be fewer. I may have a few missteps, but I will do my best to stay within the boundaries of friendship.”

“Friends hug.”

“Thank God.” Brand pulled me into an embrace I couldn’t say was like any I’d shared with other friends. Showing remarkable constraint after the kind of all-consuming sex we’d experienced in the last several hours was commendable.

The biggest question I faced now was if I’d be able to show the same resolve.

“How does breakfast sound?” he asked, letting go.

“Do we have time? I mean, do we have a flight arranged? I guess I should’ve asked that yesterday.” I shook my head. “Actually, I’m sorry, Brand. I shouldn’t have expected you to take care of it.” Not asking or even thinking about the trip home was so unlike me. I was the one who usually took on the responsibility of making reservations.

“How does it feel?”

My eyes scrunched. “What do you mean?”

“To be able to relax and know someone else will take care of it.”

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