Page 41 of Obsessed with the Player

Why did Andy not feel so much like a player anymore?

And why did I ache at the thought?

Jon’s words still followed me when I got home and started preparing some light lunch, and by the time Andy came and wrapped himself around my back, they were the only thing on my mind.

“Why are you grumpy all of a sudden?” he asked, biting my neck playfully. “I’d think with all of the sex you’re getting, you’d be happier to see me.”

My core tightened, the mixture of his words and his voice never failing to strum at something inside me, making my skin prickle with awareness.

“It’s nothing,” I said, pressing the spatula against the pan harder than I needed to, pushing my horny thoughts away as my stomach turned to knots. “And I’m the grump, right? The ugly personality is part of the default.”

Now he bit harder. “No one said anything about ugly,” Andy said lightly but didn’t linger on it. “Who twisted you up like this? I’ll beat them up.”

His words stupidly managed to make my chest flutter with warmth.

“No one.”

“Dan.”He pressed his hips against my ass, grip tightening in warning.

“It was just Jon.” Then I lied through my teeth. “He doesn’t think my ‘being single’ experiment has a future.”

Not much of a lie, even if he hadn’t said it. No one in my family thought I would last, they thought I had too many ingrained habits to maintain this sudden change in lifestyle and that sooner or later I’d be snatched up again, because I was so ‘boyfriend material’ or something.

Which wasn't comforting to me. Not at all.

Because I couldn't be in another relationship. I just couldn't. I couldn't go back to that routine, to feeling like a failure, like I didn't measure up, I needed to change or else everything would stay the same.

I needed to be different.

And so it didn't help at all when Andy said, “That makes two of us then.”

I froze.

Andy kept nibbling on my neck. “I’m not saying this to offend you, but it is what it is. Some people are like me, and some people are like you, and we just need to accept that.”

I tensed up. “And what if I don't want to accept it?” I asked, my voice coming out with a hint of broken that I hadn't wanted to show.

Andy's arms tightened around me. “And why would that be?”

I gritted my teeth. “None of your business.”

“Why don't you just tell me what's wrong so we can talk it out and we can end this farce?”

I couldn't deny that hurt.

Andy turned off the stove and turned me around, pushing me against the counter, away from the food.

“Tell me what it is.”

“No.”

“Tell me what it is or I won’t let you come.”

My chest tightened. “I don't negotiate with snooping players.”

“Do you think I’d laugh at you?” Andy asked, voice light but eyes revealing a lot more seriousness. “Is that why you won't tell me?”

I bit my tongue.

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