Page 32 of College-Virgin & Dark Bully Next-Door

Intentional self-sabotage, anyway.

“Would you like to see the pictures?” Sky says after a long moment.

“Sure.”

She slides across the bench and flicks through them. I wince at my face as I see the first one. I look either incredibly pissed or stupid as hell. She laughs and shows me two different photos. One where I look focused, my body tensed, then the one where I’m leaning against the bag with a smirk.

“These two came out the best in terms of your face and … body.” Her cheeks flush. “With the punching bag anyway.”

She goes through more of me fighting my partner. There are two photos of me resting on the ropes, and both look good. I should be paying her despite winning the challenge. She’s a damn good photographer.

“Those are good, Sky. Really good.”

“Such a vocabulary,” she snorts.

I want to stroke the back of her neck or push her wild hair behind her ears, lose my fingers in it and kiss her until she’s dizzy. She puts her camera back in her bag and takes a slow breath before folding her hands in her lap and meeting my eyes. Serious, business-like, and guarded as hell.

“I thought about the … offer.”

“Was it an offer?” I try to keep myself from smiling. “Or a list of things I want?”

“There’s a lot I haven’t done … for reasons. I think I could experiment with you. But serious relationship shit isn’t an option. You’re not built for it – obviously – and I don’t want a real one. And no one can know.”

“That never works, Sky. People always find out.” I nudge her. “Haven’t you ever seen a rom-com?”

“That’s what I’m offering,” she shrugs. “Or we can try this awesome thing called friendship.”

“Ah, so I can keep kicking your ass, and you can’t complain about it?” I tease. “And you can tease me nonstop with what I don’t get to touch.”

“Okay, rethinking my offer now.” She stands up, glares at the rain, and hesitates.

“I’ll agree,” I say seriously, while staring at the ground. I brace my elbows on my knees. I know this is going to crash and burn, but she’s gone in winter anyway. What do I really have to lose?

Nothing but the pattering of rain answers me. I finally raise my head and find Sky looking at me. “So enthusiastic.”

“I told you, I’m taking what I can get.” I stand up and walk to her. “Let’s see how long this lasts.”

She gently steps away from me. “Which means nothing in public. I don’t want to be pitied as another one of your conquests.”

“I was going to suggest using my umbrella.” I hold it up for her to see. “So, you can get to your car safely.”

She bites her bottom lip, then admits that she walked here, which naturally leads to us in my car. When I stop in her driveway, she takes a deep breath, still avoiding my eyes. “I’ll send you the pictures.”

“Sky.” I brush my fingers over hers. “I’m not going to jump you.”

“I know,” she nods, but I see her relax a little. “Even though you’re supposed to be a man whore.”

I take her hand and kiss her wrist, gently biting until she actually looks at me. I arch an eyebrow. “That sounds like good advertising. Girls don’t talk about shit lays.”

“Yes, they do,” she whispers. “But I know you leave girls as soon as you fuck them.”

“Bullshit.” I snort. “I don’t get to that point with a lot of my flings.”

I pull her closer to me. She’s more honest when she’s flustered. She takes an unsteady breath. “I was just thinking … like there are benchmarks or like … a list of things I kind of want to experience.”

“And?”

“I don’t know if this is one I want with you.” She untangles herself from me.

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