Page 90 of I Was Always Yours (RCA: Royal Crown Academy)

I don’t tell him that his anger is misplaced.

That of the kisses he mentioned, one was more platonic than kisses I’ve received from my grandmother in the past and the other I was hardly a willing participant in.

That neither of those ‘kisses’ would ever compare to the real explosiveness ofus.

A kiss between us would mean nothing to him and everything to me, which is exactly why it can never happen.

“It’s not something I’m willing to give you.” I whisper tremulously.

Something dangerous flashes in his eyes when they meet mine.

“Then what are you willing to give me?” He demands, his voice rough and distorted by lust.

Everything, if only you wanted it.If only you asked.

“Sex.”

With a groan he releases me and steps back, eyeing me with definitive interest.

“You want to keep fucking me?”

I have no idea when he developed such a dirty mouth, nor do I understand why every filthy word makes my pulse race and my pussy throb in anticipation.

I nod, but add, “Only if you agree to some rules.”

His gaze narrows and I can see in his eyes that his temper flares. He leans his hips against the desk and crosses his arms, annoyance coiling his muscles. It’s clear he doesn’t want to have to negotiate with me.

“No.”

I shrug, playing it cool, hoping he didn’t see the way my pulse just ricocheted against my throat.

“Then the door is behind you.”

He doesn’t move. I gather my hair over one shoulder and play with it absentmindedly as I wait for him to make a decision.

His blank gaze follows my fingers as they fluff the strands.

“Who decides the rules?”

“I have a few that I came up with.”

He scratches his jaw thoughtfully. “That doesn’t seem fair.”

“Fine, we can make them together. It doesn’t matter.” I say, “What matters is that we stick to them and if we break them, then we stop. Alright?”

He nods.

“First rule,” I start off strong, because if I’m the one who says it, it’ll hurt less than if he suggests it, “if we do this, we’re just having fun. No catching feelings.”

Phoenix answers through gritted teeth. “That won’t be a problem.”

I ignore the stabbing pain and gesture for him to propose something in return.

“No sleepovers.” He bites out, shoulders tense. “That shouldn’t be a problem for you given how quickly you left my bed after the last time we fucked.”

“You’re the one who ran out of there so fast you left speed marks on the floor behind you,” I snap back, annoyed. “Cheers for at least removing the handcuffs so I didn’t have to suffer the humiliation of being found like that. I wouldn’t have put it past you to leave me tied up.” I add, bitterness edging my tone.

Clearly, I’m not over the way he left yet.

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