Page 74 of Red Captive

“What does that mean exactly? You’re not like me.” I stand, picking up my plate, even though I haven’t finished eating. I’ve lost my appetite.

“I’m not someone who can have casual sex and leave their emotions at the door. At least, I’ve never tried it. You would be my first. I’m concerned, that’s all. This isn’t like me at all. It doesn’t feel right. None of this does.” She looks like she’s panicking a little.

“Casual sex feels wrong to you,” I repeat.

She nods. “Exactly.”

“You’re worried about falling in love with me,” I say in a teasing tone.

Her eyes flare. “No! Nothing as serious as that.” She’s speaking fast. “I don’t know how to act. How to be. This is new to me, that’s all. Normally, a person would leave and never see their hookup again. That’s how it’s supposed to work; only it can’t work like that with us, which makes it weird.”

“Just so you know, it’s been more than a year since I had sex. The last person was also someone I had to see regularly through work. It happened and was awkward afterward, but only because she wanted to take it further. She wanted a relationship, and I didn’t. As long as you and I are on the same page, we’re good.”

Something crosses her face. I’m not sure what it is, only that her features tighten for a moment. It’s too quick to know for sure. “Okay, so you have experience in this sort of thing. I should have known.” She’s almost talking to herself more than me. “I mean, you can’t be that good in bed without… Never mind!” She waves a hand, looking embarrassed. Her cheeks are red again, and it’s fucking adorable.

I hold back a smile.

“Believe it or not, it’s not something I make a habit of. Back then, I was so damned messed up. I guess I still am. I had just started in The Pit, and I was at a low point in my life.”

“You don’t have to explain. Hooking up is normal. Wanting sex is normal.”

“You’re right,” I say after a few beats. “I was betrayed by someone I cared about, and it broke me a little. I haven’t felt much of anything for years.”Until you.Fuck! I can’t think it, let alone say it. This is becoming dangerous. I sigh. “Look, we’re attracted to each other. We scratched an itch, and that’s all it was. We’re good, though. We can and will move forward. We can still get through this.”

She nods. “Of course we can.”

“Otherwise, I will ask the general to release me from this assignment.” That might be a good idea. “It might be for the best. Someone else could take over from—”

Her eyes widen. “No, I feel safe with you, Steel. Please don’t ditch me. We can do this. It isn’t a big deal. We’re not friends. There will be no chitchats. What were the other rules again?”

“No flirting. No spanking or talk of spanking.”

Her cheeks go red again; no doubt she’s thinking of the spanks I gave her. I can certainly remember the squeal she made when I gave her the first one. And then the low groan after the second. I can easily recall how wet her already glistening pussy became.

Nope.

Not going there.

She nods a few times and clears her throat. “There is a new one we need to add.”

“What would that be?”

“No sex. Not again. It can’t happen again.” She looks at me like it’s my decision to make as to whether or not we have sex again.

Fuck me!

Jen wants me.

She wants more.

I can see it written all over her face.

“Agreed. It can’t happen again.” I mean it wholeheartedly. I hate the disappointment that courses through me as I say the words. I mean them, though. Jen is right.

25

Jen

Three days later…

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