Page 54 of Foreplay on Words

“Emory is a friend. I have never had sex with him. I never want to have sex with him.” Her voice continued to rise with each word. “Despite being an outrageous flirt with everyone, he doesn’t want to have sex with me either.”

The scoff came out unintentionally this time. Who wouldn’t want to have Chase?

She smacked my bicep and narrowed her eyes at me. “And you’re never going to have sex with me again if you don’t stop being an ass.”

“I don’t want him to touch you.”

“Caveman much?” she asked sarcastically.

“Let me rephrase that. The thought of him touching you makes me want to punch him.”

“While that’s adorable, it’s completely unfounded,” she scoffed. “When he touches me, it will literally only be to move my body into a certain pose so I can get into the character’s head.”

“For you, maybe.” I knew I was getting to the point where she would freak out and yell at me, but I didn’t know how to process how possessive I felt over her.

“He doesn’t want me like that!”

My eyes rolled, and I turned my face to look into the living room.

“You are such a jealous little ass...” she growled as she pinched my arm.

“Fine! I’ll answer your damn question!” I snapped as I turned back to her. “Yes! Of course, I want you to be mine. The thought of another man ever touching you makes me want...”

“Yes?” she asked with a satisfied smirk pulling across her lips.

I growled in frustration as I looked down at her.

“Talk to me,” she coaxed as she stepped forward again.

The thought of another man made me want to claim her...for real. And for good. I was pretty damn sure I loved her. I barely even knew her, but God, did I feel like I could love her already.

“I’m sorry.” My whole body deflated as I tried to rein myself back in.

“I don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours, but you don’t need to worry.”

Easy for her to say. Worry was my default setting.

“I want you to be mine, too,” she whispered as she looked into my eyes.

“Fuck.” I closed my eyes and pulled her into my chest, cradling her head against me. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright. You were a bit of a dick, but I can understand your reaction.”

“It makes me so angry to imagine...” I growled as I pulled her in a little tighter.

“Then don’t imagine it. Trust what I’m telling you. I will never want Emory. I want you.”

We were quiet for a few moments. She put her arms around my back and squeezed me as we stood there. My heart was still pounding. The adrenaline amping me up a little.

“You alright?” She could probably hear it thumping through my chest.

“I’m frustrated and a little bit pissed off. I’ll calm down. I need a minute.”

“Don’t...” she breathed out quietly as she leaned back and gripped my biceps.

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t calm down. Channel this. The anger.”

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