Page 94 of Steamy Ever After

He mutes the TV and rolls onto his stomach, looking up at me through his thick lashes. “No, really, Jane. I don’t have any idea.”

I understand what he’s doing and tilt my head, then give in. “All right. Since you’re going to make me come right out and say it. I thought we were starting something… some sort of… sexual relationship?”

An intense grimace fills his face. “Please. Let’s not call it that.”

“Then what do you want to call it?” I ask, trying not to sound too hurt.

After giving it some thought, he answers. “Boinking?”

Ignoring his hearty chuckle and the obvious attempt at making me more uncomfortable, I roll my eyes. “Technically, we haven’t. So, we can’t call it that.”

“Again, Jane, name the place and time. I’ll be there. If that’s what you want.”

The heat in my cheeks is unavoidable, so I rifle through the basket for the biggest towel I can find and hide myself behind it while I fold.

“And if we were to, you know, start some sort of… thing. How would that work?”

“Sort of like last night, I guess. We get an itch. We scratch it.”

My lips curl in disgust. “Do lines like that usually work?”

“I don’t usually have to use lines,” he replies with a wink.

“Gross.”

He sits up and looks me straight in the eyes, his brow dipped. “Honey, I had fun last night. Did you?”

Fire consumes my face and body. I clear my throat. “I think you know the answer to that.”

“So, then, if you want to do it again, I’m down. We’re just two people having sex. Nothing more.”

“Nothing more?” The lump seems to move up my throat.

He shakes his head. “Nothing more.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

I’m not sure why I thank him and dart my eyes away. I hear him chuckle and return to his show.

“But, Joe? While we’re doing what we’re doing… Can you not hook up with anyone else?”

“Obviously. That’s a no-brainer.” His tone is grave, as if I insulted him. “Do you seriously think I’d keep sleeping with other women while you and I are?”

“Why wouldn’t you? We’re not exclusive.”

“Jane, come on. I wouldn’t dare.” He looks at me over his shoulder. “But you have to promise me the same thing.”

A snort-laugh bursts from my mouth and I shake my head. “Oh, no worries there. As if there would be others.”

His exasperated sigh fills the space between us. The severity in his expression doesn’t falter, and his searing gaze sinks into mine. “One day, Janey, maybe you’ll see what everyone else does.”

Confused, I frown. “And what does everyone else see?”

Without answering, he rolls his eyes with a chuckle, unmuting the television.

Dumbfounded, I stay silent and line up the edges of the towel, trying to stop wondering what Joe sees in me and why I can’t see it in myself?

CHAPTER 13

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