Page 83 of Revenge Cake

I see his smile, his shaking shoulders.

Is this really happening? Is he really laughing right now?

He stops laughing abruptly, and his brows draw together as his eyes roam my face. “Oh, Lani. I’m sorry. Oh god, look at you…” He lifts his hand and runs a thumb over my cheek. A sad smile tugs at his lips. “I didn’t mean to be a dick, it’s just—and don’t hate me for saying this but—this revenge list, your little villain monologue, it might be the funniest thing I’ve ever heard in my life.”

I look away from him, placing cold hands on my hot cheeks. I’m not sure if I feel relief or embarrassment.

“And I know this sounds condescending, but it’s adorable how upset you are about it—” He makes a gulping sound, as if he’s trying hard not to laugh again.

When my head whips back to him, his eyes grow hesitant. Almost fearful.

Oh my god, he’s afraid I’m going to snap at him for making fun of me.

And that’s when I realize I haven’t humbled myself nearly enough. “I want you to have sex with me.”

The change over his face would be comical under different circumstances, shifting from fear to confusion to reluctant excitement all in a flash.

“It will be closure sex. And I want you to boss me around like I normally boss you around. You can even spank me. Or not. It can be whatever you want. I told you when we had sex in the kitchen that it was closure sex, but that was a lie. It was revenge sex, and it wasn’t fair.”

Forcing myself to be brave, I look at his face. I try to read his expression, but I can’t. I look away.

I’m startled when he invades my space again. When I look up at him, I see blazing eyes staring down at me. He’s not laughing now.

He looks angry.

“You need to explain to me what I’m supposed to get from this closure sex.” His teeth clench over the words.

Unable to understand his mood, my brows draw together. “What do you mean?”

“I mean you should know by now that I don’t just want to boss you around during sex, bend you over my lap and spank you. I want a lot more than that.”

The relief that descends over me makes me lightheaded. I shut my eyes, take a deep breath, and relish it when he steps so close that his chest grazes my nipples. “I don’t want closure sex, Lani. The fact that you would even offer it makes me—” He takes a deep breath. “Makes me really angry. You must still be on your revenge plan.”

When he starts to back away, my heart jumps into my throat. “No! That’s not true!” When I draw the attention of a few partygoers now standing on the porch, I lower my voice. “I don’t know anything, Logan. I never even understood why you would want me. You’re so warm and kind and everyone likes you, and I’m an annoying, cold, vindictive bitch with panic disorder, and now I have a drug problem on top of that. I was always afraid you would find out and leave me.”

When his expression softens, my courage rises. “And I don’t just want to do this for you, I think I need this too. The idea…” My throat tightens. I clear it before I continue. “The idea of leaving it like this is too painful. I love you too much to leave it like this. I want one more time with you.”

Still, his green eyes are expressionless.

I look away, unable to stand it.

“Okay.”

His answer makes me jerk back. My eyes dart to his. They’re heavy-lidded now, nearly shut. I still can’t quite understand his mood, but I know he’s aroused, and that’s enough to assuage the embarrassment a little.

“But if we’re going to do this,” he says, his tone hard, “I have a few conditions.”

My skin prickles with apprehension. “What?"

His chest rises and falls unsteadily. “Number one, we’re not going to call it ‘closure sex.’ It will just be sex.”

I frown. “Okay.”

“And number two, we’re going to have a conversation afterwards.”

I swallow. “What kind of conversation?”

His posture straightens. He crosses his arms over his chest. “A reconciliation conversation.”

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