Page 69 of Tempting Him

“You sure you don’t want to come?” he asks, resting his chin on my shoulder as I stand in front of the sink.

I laugh. “I don’t think that’s the best idea.”

“My friends are cool, though.”

“Your friends are going to be confused if we show up together. Plus, you’re supposed to be hanging out with them, not me.”

His arm snakes around my waist before his hand reaches for my crotch. “But I don’t get to do this with them.”

I finish washing the vegetables I’m about to cook and shut the water off, spinning to face him. “And let's make sure it stays that way, hm? But you know I’ll be here when you’re done.”

“But you actually have groceries in here and you’re about to cook. I should help you eat.”

I smile as I study his face. “I’ll save you some.”

He groans. “Fine. I’ll go have fun without you.”

I grab his wrist as he moves to step away. “Hey. You know I’d go if the situation was different.”

He slips his hand in mine and smiles. “I know. I’m just giving you a hard time.” He winks and struts toward our bedroom.

My bedroom.

Before he leaves, he stops back in the kitchen, smelling like citrus, mint, and cedarwood. My favorite cologne of his. I give him a onceover, hating how good he looks before going out to a club where every person with eyes will be staring and trying to get with him.

“Maybe I’ve changed my mind. I think I should tie you to the bed and never let you leave.”

He grins. “I’ll tell you now, I will develop Stockholm syndrome.”

“Have fun.”

Jay leans in and kisses my neck. “I’ll talk to you later.”

I watch him leave and hate the empty feeling I have once he’s gone. When he’s here, his personality and presence fills the space with joy and light. Now it just feels quiet and dark, and I’ve started to realize I feel his absence more and more each time he leaves. I’ve gotten too used to him, but I’m selfish enough to keep him around even though I know how it’ll end.

After I finish making and eating dinner, I wash the dishes and then put on the news while I do some work. It feels like several hours have gone by before I check the time, but it’s only been two.

By ten o’clock, I’m bored out of my mind, now used to always having someone to talk to, whether he’s here or texting me. We’ve spent so much time on the phone before that he may as well have been here with me.

I take a hot shower then get in bed, knowing Jay would make fun of me for going to sleep before midnight. I told him eventually you get to the point where staying up late for no reason just doesn’t make sense. Then he usually gave me a reason to stay up late, because he’d strip naked and make it impossible to even think of sleep.

My phone trills from the nightstand next to me, startling me out of unconsciousness. I squint at the clock, trying to figure out how long I’ve been out. It’s almost two in the morning.

“Hello?”

“Hey!” Jay exclaims loudly, dragging the word out. “I’ve been trying to text you.”

“Are you okay?” I ask, sitting up.

“M’fine,” he says, mashing the words together.

“Sounds like you had fun.”

“I miss you.”

I chuckle. “It’s been very quiet and boring here without you.”

“So, you miss me too.”

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