Page 4 of The Backup

Okay, my flirting game may be rusty but we definitely have a vibe.

“Can we pretend I didn’t just say that?” Asher says, scratching the back of his neck.

“Fine. But now I have a question,” I reply. “If it’s too personal, you don’t have to answer.”

“Okay…?”

He shakes his head. “Actually, no. I’m going to be a gentleman. I don’t want you thinking I make sex talk with every girl I meet five minutes into a conversation. It’s inappropriate, what I was thinking. It’s just…” He pauses, his gaze flicking to me. “You’re gorgeous, and my mind keeps wandering. Sorry. I’ll let you get back to studying. I’m probably distracting you.”

My heart hammers in my chest. “Ask it.”

“You won’t judge me?”

“Nah. And honestly? I can’t concentrate on my book right now,” I admit. “This is a nice break, and I’m enjoying talking to you.”

“How was your sex life with, uh…your anonymous boyfriend?”

I shrug. “I mean, pretty good.”

“Pretty good? That doesn’t sound very convincing.”

“Okay. Decent. Itwasdecent.”

His eyebrows lift. “In my experience, when it’s actually decent, a woman doesn’t just call it ‘decent.’ They’re raving about it. It sounds like you’re trying to defend him.”

“Well, uh…” I clear my throat, fumbling for words. Am I just one of those girls now, defending an unfaithful ex? Not that Joe’s an ex yet. Ugh.

“Look.” Asher leans closer, sliding into the seat next to me. His green eyes lock onto mine, and my breath catches. “I hope this isn’t too forward, but it seems like you’ve got some stuff to sort out in your life. Which is fine. I do too. But I’m noticing a vibe here.”

I nod, my voice quiet. “I notice it too.”

“All I’m saying is…I feel drawn to you. And if things don’t work out with this guy, we should hang out.”

Screw it. I’m enjoying this flirtation too much to stop. “Hang out? That’s what you want to do? Did you just say you want to…hook up with me?” Oh no. Word vomit.

He laughs. “I didn’t say that. But does some primal part of me find you attractive enough to want to bend you over this table?”

Heat rushes to my cheeks—and between my legs.

“Yes,” he says, answering his own question when I don’t. “But I’m a gentleman, like I said. I don’t know anything about you. I don’t know what you like. I just know I’d like to get to know you.”

“And you know this after five minutes of talking to me?”

“It’s a gut feeling. Do you believe in gut feelings?”

“Yes.”

“Well, let me know what you decide. I don’t want to be a homewrecker if you’re working things out, but…I’m very attracted to you.”

“What do you like?” I ask, trying to deflect his intensity.

“Me? I like everything. I love sex…with someone I’m into. There’s nothing better than mutual obsession.”

“You’re obsessed with me already? Slow down there, love-bomber.”

He laughs. “If you’re just getting out of a relationship, we both know this wouldn’t be love.”

“Oh? What would it be, then?”

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