Page 29 of Sack

He bowed his head. God save him, why did he find her so amusing? He cleared his expression and looked back up. “Fine. Rule number two. We have a conversation when we’re ready to end things. I don’t want any misunderstandings or hurt feelings.”

She bobbed her head. “It lasts until we both agree it’s over. Got it. And no hard feelings.”

His teeth ground together again. Why did he find her ease with the situation so annoying? “You’re okay with all of this?”

She sat back, looking at him a moment before she answered. “You asked me earlier why now and I answered because I finally decided. I don’t take my decisions lightly, but once made, I’m always one hundred percent sure. I carefully weighed my options. I enjoyed our kiss, a lot, and I think I’d enjoy sex with you, too. I decided I want that. You made it clear you don’t want a relationship,” she shrugged, “I’m trying to get my business off the ground and not looking for one either. So, I think we can agree, non-relationship sex—for lack of a label per your non-rule number two—works for both of us.”

He studied her features. She was sincere. Not that he should doubt her. Ivy was nothing if not honest. “Rule number three,” he said slowly, finally coming to his own decision and firmly committing to Ivy’s crazy plan. “We have the right to add rules any time we see fit.”

“Is that all?” She pushed her plate out of the way to scoot closer to him.

“Yeah, that’s it.”

“Then how about a kiss to seal the deal?”

He didn’t lean in. Instead, he slid from the booth, tossed some cash on the table, and held out his hand. “I have a different idea.”

Ivy

Colt sped them through the streets of Portland faster than Ivy thought possible during rush hour on a Saturday night.

“Is my driving making you nervous?”

They’d just stopped at a red light, and Ivy looked over to find Colt staring at her. “No.”

“Because you’re gripping that handle so hard, I’m afraid you might tear it off.”

She looked down at her hand, her grip so tight, her fingers were white. She let go and shoved both her hands between her thighs. “Sorry.”

“Are you having second thoughts?”

“No.”

He kept staring at her. “Something’s wrong.”

She lost his eyes when the light turned green, and she took a deep breath. In for a penny, in for a pound. “It’s more concern.”

His eyes flashed to hers for a second before landing back on the road. “Concern over what?”

“It’s just… I’m more talk than action. I know you might find this hard to believe at the ripe old age of twenty-six, but I haven’t had a lot of varied sexual experience, and I’m worried how I’m going to stack up.”

“Are you a virgin?”

“No. But I haven’t had much practice either. Let’s see… there’s been—”

“Wait. Stop right there.”

She looked to see Colt’s hands were gripping the steering wheel as tightly as her hand had been the door handle. If it were someone’s neck, they’d be dead.

“I love your honesty, Ivy. I really do. But there are some truths I don’t need or want to know. And how many men you’ve slept with is one of them.”

“Oh.” Then a light bulb clicked. “Oh.” She peeked a look at his tense jaw. “Are you jealous?”

If possible, his jaw locked tighter, and she worried he would crack a molar.

“Not jealous. Just information I don’t need in my head. Especially when I’m about to fuck you.”

That was a lie. He wassojealous. The knowledge made her feel a bit more relaxed. But just a bit. “Anyway, as I was saying, I’m worried—”

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