Page 45 of The Backup

“But I feel like I just got out of a really long relationship. And I’m reluctant to put my heart on the line again.”

“I totally understand that. Fair.” He nods. “So…should we call this off? Just go back to being random people who see each other in the library?”

I shake my head. “I don’t want that. I really don’t.”

“What do you want, then?”

“Asher…” I swallow a knot in my throat, then force my eyes to stay on his. “I just want to have fun. I want to explore…whatever we’re doing in the bedroom.”

Screw it.

“And…with this…”

I slide my hand down his abs, and his black slacks, and land it on his cock. His breath hitches.

“You’re such a tease. You have no idea the things I want to do with you, Sloane.”

“I don’t want to be a tease. Not anymore. I just don’t want to let anyone know. I don’t want this to be gossiped about everywhere. Is that so wrong?”

He takes my hand off of him. “So what are you saying?”

“I’m saying…we do this on the downlow. No more you picking me up in your truck. We’ll be extra cautious.”

“And if we do get caught?”

“If we get caught, we get caught. But…” I slide toward him, and whisper in his ear. My heart is pounding. “I want you to do all of the dirty things you’ve been imagining. And I have some I’ve been imagining, too.”

“Fuck me, Sloane,” he groans.

“Yeah…” I grin, my heart pounding. “That’s a start.”

He pulls back, with a mischievous grin on his face that I haven’t seen before.

“Fine. I can work with this. But I want something, too.”

“What? Tell me.”

He brushes my hair behind my ears. “I want you…whenever, wherever I want you. Within reason so that we’re not caught by the stupid campus gossipers, of course.”

My insides coil, hot with desire. I play like I’m actually not sure about the idea for a moment.

“And, we should have a safe word. Anytime you want to stop you tell me.”

“Yeah? What should it be?”

He cocks his head a little in thought. “Monterey.”

“Mmm like the song. ‘It happened in Monterey.’”

“Feels fitting. It was playing when you walked in tonight. A song about longing.”

“So ‘Monterey’ is the safe word…and you can…what? Use me any time you want?” I stick out my tongue, imitating him. “Oh, poor me…”

He laughs. “So you’re in.”

I put my hand out for a shake. “Wait.” I pull my hand back.

“I just want to know that you’re not going to be with anyone else during this time. Like even though it’s not a ‘relationship.’”

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