Page 35 of Mastered By Lust

“Looks like you were in yours over there at the grill. Are you avoiding conversation?”

“Yeah, a bit. Are you a mind-reader?”

“Yep.” She peers at me as if trying to see into my skull. “Wow, it’s so empty in there.”

“Ha. Ha.” I lower my voice. “Hey. Next weekend is the March auction.”

Her humorous expression fades. “And?”

“You aren’t doing it, are you?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“You signed up, but I was thinking that if you’re with Gage now, you wouldn’t…”

She doesn’t help me out by finishing the sentence. She doesn’t even answer.

Patrick waves at her from the other side of the lawn. “Leah, I got your drink! Let’s play!”

Without a word, she joins him.

I have to let the auction go. I didn’t love it the first time she wanted to do it. Now I love it even less. I should take the advice I gave Danica, and trust Leah to make her own choices. No matter how much it hurts.

Dad and Rachel win the game while I finish grilling. I’d feel bad for Leah except I’m too smug that Patrick lost. He disappears into the house for a few minutes. He’s probably using the can, but I like to imagine he’s sulking.

Danica brings me another beer and comes to collect the newly cooked food. She stares across the back deck, where Patrick has returned to pester Leah. He waves his hands around, demonstrating something to her.

Danica takes a sip of her beer. “Looks like our cousin has a crush on Leah.”

“How come you aren’t eviscerating him?”

She laughs. “Why should I? She’s with Gage, so nothing will come of it. Besides, she can take care of herself.”

If I were flirting with her instead of Patrick, I’d be a dead man.

I don’t say it out loud, though. I don’t want to give Danica any reason to think of me flirting with her friend. It’s easier if the thought never enters her mind.

I can’t stand here watching this. Pushing away from my perch on the brick ledge, I say, “I have to go get some things inside. Watch the grill, will you?”

“Sure, leave me alone to witness Patrick’s clumsy attempts at shooting his shot.” Danica sighs. “You’re missing out. This is high comedy, bro.”

My chuckle is forced. There’s nothing humorous about Leah getting hit on. She should be with me.

I fucked everything up.

10

Leah

After finishing my work with a student at the public library, I trek back to my car to drive to my next session. I shiver. It’s a rare rainy day. My hoodie isn’t offering much protection against the cold because the fabric is damp.

My body is pleasantly sore from the orgasms Gage gave me last night. At one point, he sat on the chair near his always-curtained bedroom windows. Then he instructed me to rub myself on his thigh like I did the first time we met.

That kind of activity takes strength. Excellent workout.

Excellent orgasm.

We still haven’t fucked, though. It’s been four days since the night we dry-humped. So I know the issue isn’t that he can’t orgasm. For some reason, he doesn’t want to. At least not with me.

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