Page 66 of Taking Chances

“Maybe next time.”

She snickers. “You said that already. Next time I’m holding you to your word.”

“Sure,” I respond but I’m not certain I mean it. I don’t mind spending time with her one bit, but being in the domestic violence safe house is a sensitive topic for me. I’m uncertain whether the dams I built to keep my emotions at bay would hold being exposed to the women going through the same thing my mom is.

I got my phoenix tattoo the day I went no contact with my family. And though it represents rebirth and letting go of the past, I can hardly say I’ve done either of those things.

“Could you drive me home?” She bites the inside of her cheek.

“Of course, you don’t even have to ask.”

She shoots me a grateful smile.

“It’s important to let me know if anything was out of line for you. So we know for the next time.”

“Nope. Everything was great. I-I liked it.” She answers in an instant. “Just… forget about it.”

“No, tell me.”

She sighs. “I was kind of expecting us… to have actual sex.”

“This is sex, too.”

“I know. But you know what I mean. The birds and the bees one.”

I release a deep laugh. “You’re saying you want to feel my cock inside of you?” I wink, not able to resist teasing her.

She slaps my chest, glaring at me, her face turning crimson. Fuck, getting her hot and flustered is addictive.

27

ANNE

Practically jumping out of the car, I run upstairs and drop down onto the couch, Luna jumping on me instantly.

I pet her fur absentmindedly, making her purr. What happened tonight was… wow. I never thought of myself as a very spicy person, but I think what we just did was at least four chili peppers spicy. And histhingdidn’t even touch mine.

Ugh, if I plan to do more of that, I should be able to say p-penis, at least in my mind.

Penis.

“There we go,” I say to my cat, letting out a giggle.

I never felt more powerful than riding that bike, naked and vulnerable. His commands relieved some of the guilt I was feeling. I haven’t chosen to be so debauched on my own. He made me.

And I haven’t minded it one bit.

The after part was better than anything I’ve experienced in my previous relationships. Bryce would usually roll over to the other side when he was done, letting me deal with things myself. I thought it was normal, even though my throat would burnevery time. I thought it was expected that he was done with me when he was satisfied, but a part of me ached for more.

When Lennox carried me to the bathroom, I held back my tears. The emotions were running high, and it was easy to get swept up in them, so his explanation was like a bucket of ice water. A much-needed bucket of ice water. It was just procedure, what he had to do because he’s a responsible kinky person. Not because he wanted to.

Still, it showed me what I’ve been missing. What I probably deserve.

“Hey,babe. Where’d you disappear to on Friday?” Natalie enters my new office. The scent of paint still lingers in the air, but it looks great and I can’t wait to put my own touches on it.

“What?” Somehow, blood has both drained from and rushed to my face. Pretty sure it’s a physiological phenomenon.

“You haven’t answered any of my texts.” She drops to one of the two plush chairs in front of my desk, wearing a dark blue girl boss pantsuit.

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