Page 14 of Sinful Secrets

“Well, not really, but the arguing stopped. Dad got remarried and never came around or called. Mom drank all the time and hopped from job to job.”

I take a bite of my burger and moan as the flavors flood my tastebuds. The zing from the garlic compliments the creaminess of the mayonnaise. The softness of the bun makes the crunch of the pickles stand out even more.

“What happened to your mom?” He asks, as if he’s expecting a tragic accident or a complete turnaround.

Sorry, but there’s no happy ending there.

“I don’t know exactly. I got emancipated when I was fifteen due to neglect and stopped checking on her when I found out she was sleeping with some of my friends.”

His mouth falls open for a second before he regains composure. “She slept with your friends?”

“And my ex-boyfriend from high school.” I chuckle before taking a bite of my onion ring.

“Wow.” He pops a fry into his mouth as he shakes his head.

“Yeah, tell me about it. I’m twenty-one and haven’t seen my mom in six years and haven’t talked to my dad in over a decade.”

“I think you’re better off this way. One of my co-workers, Gage, was emancipated at sixteen because of shitty parents. He’sa better man for it, and I’m sure you’re a better woman for learning to be independent so young.”

He reaches across the table and grabs my hand. Before I can protest, he flips my hand over and links our fingers together.

He saw my palm. He must think I’m a freak.

“What happened? Are you okay?”

“It’s nothing to worry about. It’s just one thing that makes me, well, me. Like the painting you admire, there are many different sides to me.”

His eyes darken as he drops his food onto his plate. “Oh, I know there are different sides to you, and I can’t wait to explore them all.”

I push my plate away. “Check please.”

“Are you sure?”

When I nod, he waves the waitress over and asks for two boxes. She brings them and the bill over, but he hands her a one hundred-dollar bill and instructs her to “Keep the change.”

While I try not to wonder just what he does for a living to have a stack of hundred-dollar bills, Spencer packs up our food and pulls me out of the booth.

“Where do you live?” He asks once we are outside and walking to my car.

The sun is starting to set, casting a red-orange haze over the sky.

“In the dorms on East May Street. It’s the white brick building with a huge concrete quad out front and a small lawn area. You’ll probably see guys throwing a football around.”

“I’ll follow you.”

I place my leftover dinner in the passenger seat and head back to my dorm. I park in my normal spot, and he parks in one of the guest parking spots behind me.

I wait at the trunk of my car, holding my dinner.

I’ve never felt this nervous to invite a man back to my room.

I’ve also never felt this turned on without foreplay.

What is it about Spencer that turns me into this wanton woman?

He jogs over to me, grinning and looking sexier than ever.

Holy hell, I may burst into flames or come as soon as he touches me. At this rate, I’ll come before I even get naked.

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