Page 23 of Hot & Bothered

“Look at me, Peyton,” he demanded.

She blinked her eyes open in surprise, staring up at him as the orgasm tore through her. His focus on her was almost unnerving.Almost. But more than that, it was intriguing and addictive.

When a person orgasmed, they became vulnerable. Often, they made weird faces or sounds.

But she already knew that she could make the weirdest face and the most obscure sound, and Jace wouldn’t care.

Her climax continued to unfurl, spreading out further from her core and into each limb, into the tips of her fingers, and the balls of her feet.

And then … he grunted again.

He stilled, and keeping his eyes open and focused on her, he came.

And it was probably the hottest thing she’d ever seen.

Watching him come undone, but remain so put together at the same time, pulled at her baser Gemini instinct of curiosity and playfulness.

Her orgasm peaked and began to slowly drift down the backside of the slope, the tremors and aftershocks rippling through her intermittently as the pleasant ache of still being stretched and full of Jace created an alluring throb between her thighs.

He finished with a final grunt, and his body relaxed. He still hovered over her and his arms trembled slightly on either side of her head.

They smiled at each other, and he slowly slipped over to the side of the bed, holding onto the base of the condom as he did. He disappeared to the bathroom first, disposing of the condom in the trash, then she ducked into the washroom to pee and tidy up, joining him back in the bed a moment later.

“I like this,” he said, facing her and pulling the covers over both of them.

She smiled. “I do, too.”

“I hate dating.”

“The dating world sucks.”

“And I like that we’re neighbors.”

“Thatisawfully convenient.”

“So … uh … do you want to be my girlfriend?”

Heat filled her cheeks, and she smiled even wider, then nodded. “Yeah. I think I could do that.”

“I’m going to forewarn you, though …”

She hiked her eyebrows up her forehead, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

“I am really fucking busy. Between work, training and volunteering, I have likemaybefive to seven hours a week to dedicate to a relationship. And those hours are like right now, late at night.” His lips twisted into a frown ofreluctance. “My last girlfriend said I prioritized the gym over her. But this isn’t just mehittingthe gym, this is—”

“You’re training to advance in your career and achieve a specific goal.” She cupped his cheek. “I get it. I’m busy, too. My job is mentally exhausting, and I’m trying to be more independent. Don’t judge me, but I onlyjustmoved out of my parents’ place a few months ago. I’m twenty-seven years old and living on my own for the first time.”

His mouth twisted like he was trying to hide a smile.

She swatted his chest. “I told you not to judge.”

“I’m not,” he protested with a chuckle. “It’s just … I had no idea you only just started living on your own. That the apron strings were just freshly severed.”

She narrowed her gaze, but it was mostly a light-hearted glare. “Well, I did. And they are. I’m very close to my parents and I don’t intend to change that. But I’m also enjoying the independence and getting to know myself. I actually like my own company.”

“That’s really healthy. If we don’t like spending time with ourselves, why should anyone else?”

“Right?” She sobered. “Anyway, what I’m trying to say is, I get it. We’re both young and focused on our careers. I’m not looking for a fuck buddy. Idowant something more. But like you, I have commitments. I also volunteer. I’m a Girl Guide leader.”

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