Page 52 of The Retreat

“And what would you do with it?”

“Did you wake up choosing violence today? I’m already going to be jacking off all day. Don’t make it worse.” I groan, still hard from last night.

He sets his fork down and turns to face me, looking intrigued. “So you can fuck with me, but you can’t take it?”

I lean forward until our mouths are just shy of touching. “Bring it on.”

EIGHTEEN

Colin

I’m flipping through my homework, prioritizing what I need to finish first, when Owen pops up behind me.

“We need to go on a date.”

“Is that right?” I turn to look up at him. Gods, he’s beautiful.

“What are you thinking?” He cocks his head like the words are written on my skin in a language he doesn’t understand.

“Trust me, you don’t want to know.”

He nods and doesn’t push it. “Yes, we need to be seen in public, and you need to be romanced.” He shrugs.

“Romanced?” My heart flutters at the very idea.

“Isaac’s word.”

I chuckle. “Of course, he is a romantic. Though how he ended up with Oliver, I will never understand.”

“Oliver has his moments, he just doesn’t show them to you.”

“That’s fair.” I turn in my chair to face him. “Where are you taking me on a date?”

The skin around his eyes tightens, and he slides his hands into his pockets. “I was hoping you would have ideas.”

I cock my head and look at him for a moment. “Have you ever been on a date?”

“I’m not answering that if you’re going to be an ass about it.”

I try to hide my smirk, but if the look on his face is anything to go by, I failed. “It’s cute, and I like being your first date.”

“You have ideas then?”

“Yes, I have ideas. Anything you want to veto?”

He thinks for a moment, which I appreciate. “Opera. No opera.”

“That’s an interesting one, but okay.” I stand and reach for his hips. “When is our date?”

“Is tonight too soon?”

“Nope, I can make that work.”

Owen smiles and kisses my forehead. “Thank you.”

Two hours later, I have tickets booked.

“Shower, let’s go.” I snap my fingers at Owen.

---