Page 33 of Master Debater

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Me: Door’s open, so just come on up.

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“Damn. I don’t even think he answers messages about verdicts that come in that quickly,” Jameson said, choosing now to be upright and paying attention.

“Fine. I want to see her. So, sue me.” I set aside the spatula and double checked I’d turned all the knobs on the grill to off. Then I lifted the plate of steaming meat. “Actually, I’d advise against anyone doing that, as I’d wipe the floor with you in court.”

As much as what I’d admitted about wanting to see her was true, trepidation crept along my spine. I set down the plate on the patio table, next to the buns, chips, and condiments. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the opening of the door, and I rushed toward it so my friends wouldn’t beat me there. For someone who craved control, this situation was already getting away from me.

But then Willa stepped onto the patio, the sunshine highlighting every glorious curve, and all my apprehension melted away. She had on a flowy white top that showed off her shoulders, ripped jeans that were cuffed at the bottom, and strappy red heels that matched her headband and lipstick. As long as I got my hands on the voluptuous goddess flashing me a smile, who the fuck cared what my friends said.

I closed the distance between us in a couple of strides and slammed my mouth over hers, unable to wait another second. She wrapped her hands around my biceps, clinging to me as I swept my tongue against hers in an ecstatic hello. Naturally, my friends hooped and hollered and, keeping one arm around Willa’s waist, I swung out the other and lifted the bird in their general direction.

“What was that for?” Willa asked when I broke the kiss.

“My friends are determined to humiliate me, and I wanted to remind you why you want to be with me—sleep with me.” What the fuck, mouth? At least Willa’s well aware of our arrangement, even if my mouth needs to get it together.

“Wow, someone thinks mighty highly of their kisses.”

I slid my hand in her back pocket, copping a feel as I moved my mouth next to her ear. “Do I need to slip my fingers in your panties and prove you’re already damp and thinking about the next time I fuck you?”

Her fingernails dug into my skin, radiating five spots of delicious pain. “I, uh, don’t think that’ll be necessary. Until later tonight, that is.” Her secretive smile gave me a barrage of dirty ideas. “Let’s just say you’ve made your point.”

I couldn’t help giving her another quick kiss on the lips before placing my hand on the small of her back and guiding her over to the table to meet my friends.

“That’s Jameson and his girlfriend, Kat. Ben and his boyfriend, Cristiano.” They lifted their beers or bobbed their heads as I indicated them. “Everyone, this is Willa Trainor.”

“His next door neighbor,” she said with a wave, and then she wrinkled her cute nose and fiddled with her large hoop earring. “Rhyming was, uh, unintentional. But it’s nice to meet you all.”

“That was quite the friendly greeting for a neighbor,” Ben teased. “Is that Nate’s typical hello these days? Because I feel like I missed out.” He stood halfway up, lips excessively puckered, like that’d get him anywhere besides in hot water with me and his boyfriend.

“Have you ever been to Savor?” I asked Willa, blazing right over the top of my buddy’s theatrics. “Ben owns and runs the place.”

“That’s amazing. I haven’t ever eaten there, but I have heard of it. The last time I lived in Boston, I could hardly afford ramen noodles.” A hint of nervousness pervaded her laugh, and she leaned into my side. I took that to mean she could use extra support and tucked her closer, as though it was the most natural thing in the world. And honestly, it sort of was.

A type of comfort that hadn’t been in our previous interactions was settling over us as we grew familiar, not just with each other’s bodies and sexual preferences, but also our idiosyncrasies.

“So, where are you from?” Ben asked. “And where do you work? Tell us more about yourself, Willa.”

“Slow down, dude. You think that you should examine the witness since I did the cooking?”

Ben looked to Christiano, his expression an open question itself, and his boyfriend kissed his cheek. “It’s okay, my love. You are going a bit rapid fire with the questions, though. Let her sit down first.”

The corners of Ben’s mouth tightened, and I’d have to thank Christiano later. Here I thought Jameson would be the thorn in my side tonight and he was kicked back and enjoying the show. “I was just making conversation. I haven’t even gotten to the busting Nate’s balls portion of the evening. I did the same thing to Jameson when he brought Kat to Savor, so I figure it’s only fair.”

At Ben’s implication Willa and I were headed to the sort of serious territory Jameson and Kat occupied, panic coated my lungs. They were too heavy to take in air, so I focused on pulling out Willa’s chair instead. This was a bad idea.

But the idea of her leaving or not being at my side only stole what was left of my oxygen.

I settled into the seat next to her and placed my hand on her knee. She automatically stacked her hand on top of mine as she answered Ben’s questions, and the tightness in my chest eased. She cast the conversation wider, drawing everyone into it as we passed around the food, and I reminded myself this arrangement was a respite for the both of us.

As we ate, drank, and laughed, that was exactly what it felt like too.

It wasn’t until we moved to sit around the firepit and toast s’mores that the evening hit another snag.

“Why would Rylee do that?” Jameson asked. “I’m sure she knows you’re planning on taking down your uncles. Does she really want to be there when you push them off the pedestal they built by walking over people?”

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