Page 36 of Every Version of You

I guess he is awake. “A why choose dark romance.”

“How many dudes are fucking her right now?”

I smile. “Six.”

He leans in a little closer to read, “...Drake held his gun to my head as he fucked my throat and Lazzaro entered my ass once again. You want my knife, hellcat?… Jesus Christ, Ang,” he chuckles. “This stuff really gets you going, huh?”

I snort. “Everything gets me going these days.”

“Yeah, but you’ve always had a thing for these books. How many do you read in a year?”

I feign shock. “That’s private. A lady never tells.”

It’s his turn to snort. “I know what color menstrual cup you wear, how many sexual partners you’ve had, and I watched you writhe in a creek yesterday. But knowing how many dirty books you read in a year? That crosses a line?”

“I’m glad you understand.”

Rafael hums his amusement before a lingering pause settles between us. “So,” he drawls. “I meant what I said last night, Ang. I want to be able to take care of your needs in this way.”

“You’re sure?” I ask, setting down my Kindle and turning to my back as he leans on one arm to look down at me.

“Only if you are.”

There’s no one I trust more than Rafael. He’s a loyal friend, and he clearly knows his way around a woman’s body, so why wouldn’t I take this opportunity?

Oh, yeah.

Because for the better part of two decades he’s given me unwanted butterflies. Because he said he wanted to kiss me all those years ago. If I want to protect my heart from his commitment-less lifestyle while getting my primal urges taken care of, then we’re going to need boundaries.

“We should set some rules.”

“What were you thinking?” he asks, pushing a lock of hair away from my face. I’m sure I look like the picture of a debauched wilderness queen.

“I think we should only do this for the duration of my pregnancy.”

His gaze becomes unfocused for a moment before nodding. “Yeah. That sounds fair.”

“That should help us keep things casual,” I say with the confidence born from a prayer.

“Okay. I have a rule I’d like to submit,” he says.

“Shoot.”

“No one else. Neither of us sleep with anyone else during this time.”

Oh god, I don’t know about this one. On the one hand, I love this exclusivity aspect. All his attention? Of course I want that. But on the other hand…

“I don’t know about that, Raf,” I sigh. “I think if we leave this open, it’ll help us make a clean break when it’s over, you know?”

Furrowing his dark eyebrows, he smirks. “Don’t think I can keep up with you?”

“Please,” I roll my eyes. “Cora has two husbands and even they have to take shifts.”

“I’ll redact my rule, but I will take it as a personal challenge.”

“Speaking of personal,” I drawl. “When was the last time you were tested?”

“Pretty recently. I’m clear. It was after Charles. There hasn’t been anyone since. Why? You want it bare?”

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