Page 70 of Vas

“Hear me out before you say no.”

She sensed an argument in the making, but she supposed there was no harm in hearing what he had to say. “Okay.”

“I was planning on talking to you about this before school started but now is as good a time as any. If you quit, you’ll have the time for a heavier course load and can focus on studying. The faster you can get your degree the sooner you'll be able to start doing what you really want—teaching.”

“You’re forgetting one little thing. I may not need money for rent, but I still need to pay for food and utilities.”

There was a short pause before he softly said, “Or we can live together.”

When she took too long to say anything, he continued, “The money I’d save on my rent could go toward our shared household so it wouldn’t be a handout.” There was another short pause before he said, “Just think about it.”

He knew her so well. Knew that would be her one sticking point, but she didn’t have to think about it. What he’d said made sense. It was silly and a waste of money for them to keep two apartments when they spent every night together as it was.

Still, she had to make sure he was certain before making the commitment. “That’s a big step. Are you sure you’re ready for that?”

His reply was instantaneous. “Sweetheart, if I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have suggested it. Falling asleep with you in my arms, waking up and you’re the first thing I see, I’ve grown addicted to that. I won’t give it up. I plan to hold on to you for as long as you want me.”

She couldn’t imagine ever not wanting him. “Well then you better start working out those hand muscles because you’re going to be holding on for a really long time.”

She heard a deep chuckle. “Sweetheart, I’m strong all over.”

Didn’t she know it! “Maybe you can put those muscles to work when you get home?” Or sooner, she thought, barely able to contain her secret.

A groan filled her ear. “If it was your intention to make my dick hard, you’ve succeeded.”

Arousal tightened her core. “Maybe there’s something we can do about that?”

“What did you have in mind?” he asked gruffly.

Nervous and altogether unsure of herself, she ignored the flutter in her belly and injected a note of huskiness in her voice, murmuring, “Well,weareboth in bed...”

Silence filled the line and she wished she could see his face.

As if reading her thoughts, her phone beeped a few seconds later with an invitation to FaceTime.

“Hello,” she said, as soon as he came into view. And what a view it was. She’d never grow tired of seeing a bare-chested Vas.

A single eyebrow raised and a smirk played on his lips. “You were saying?”

“I was just… That is…” She closed her eyes when she felt her cheeks heat. “Maybe you should start.”

His sinful chuckle had her eyes flying back open.

Their eyes locked, his blazing into hers. “I think you're a little overdressed, don't you? Top off, sweetheart.”

The flutter in her stomach morphed into anticipation. Setting her phone on her lap, she pulled her pink camisole with its black polka dots over her head after which she ran her fingers through her hair, combing it back into place. Then using the stand on the back of her case, she set the phone on the side table.

Vas spoke as soon as she came back into view. “Those shorts are cute, but they need to go. You can leave the panties… for now.”

Anna shivered in excitement, her nipples tightening in response to the heat in his voice. She shimmied out of her shorts, kicking them off.

“Ah, yes, that's perfect. Now, draw your hand up your stomach and slowly cup your breast.”

An unexpected moan fell from her lips, but she was too caught up in the moment to worry. Without thought, she rolled her hardened nipple between her thumb and forefinger. Her gaze tangled with Vas’s as a predatory growl filled the silence between them.

“Pinch it. Harder.”

Obliging him, she let herself focus on the broad expanse of his chest and the sound of his heated breaths. “I hope I’m not in this alone.”

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