Page 143 of Waiting Game

“Of course she doesn’t. No one knows about you apart from two of my bros, and they don’t know that you do cam-girling. One knows your name and Liam’s the one who told me I had to break things off with you for Gracie’s sake.”

Her eyes flutter to a close. “You need to tell her, Cole. I can’t betray her again.”

I pull a face. “I know I need to tell her and I will. I couldn’t before. You were a one-night stand. What could I say to her? What’d be the point of hurting her? But then, I got to know you?—”

“We barely talked,” she chokes out.

Barely? Ha.

“You told me more than you know.”

“Like what?”

How do I piece together my impression of her?

“You’re generous too. You’re not cheap or money-grabbing. I’ve never had someone sulk at me for tipping them before, never mind this supposed demoness who double-crossed my sister for clout.” She flinches, but I ignore her to continue, “You’re genuinely kind.

“I remember I told you about that time I hurt my wrist, and you were prodding me to go and get it checked out. We discussed grief and family and things that made us laugh on TV. And you remembered me. I didn’t expect that.”

Her cheeks flush. “I liked you.”

“But we barely talked,” I mock.

She shoves my shoulder. “I know what you mean. But it’s still only an impression.”

“An impression these past ten days continue to confirm.” I hitch a shoulder. “I can wait. We can see this through. Maybe give it three months or so until we know we’re serious?—”

“You think we’ll be serious after twelve weeks of dating?”

“I’m serious about you now.”

“Who talks like you?!” she shrieks. “You’re supposed to be freaking out and avoiding this kind of conversation.”

I sniff. “How many times? I’m aromantic.”

“You read the books for the dirty sex. Admit it!”

“I do not,” I grumble. “That’s an added bonus, and don’t shame me for reading what I do! You need to read it too. You’d fit right in with one of the characters, trust me.”

She squints. “How?”

“You like being fucked while you sleep. That’s a whole separate group on Facebook. Never mind the monster cock stuff. Plus, the cosplay and that praise kink thing you’ve got going on.Then there’s the exhibitionism, and you’ve made me realize I had kinks I didn’t even know about?—”

“Which ones?”

“Well, voyeurism for starters. Man, watching you strip out of your shorts gives me a chubby.”

“Your dick lives up to that. The alien cock is my biggest dildo and you’re still bigger.”

“You’re stroking my ego.”

Her lips roll inward.

I smirk at her. “See? Your kinks and my kinks are like a match made in heaven. Okay, fuck a few months. Give me eight weeks to prove to you that we work, Mia, and then I’ll tell Gracie.”

She huffs. “This has disaster waiting to happen written all over it.”

Like I’m approaching a pissed-off momma bear, I tentatively cup her cheek. As my thumb swipes over her jawline, I wink. “There’s beauty in chaos, gorgeous.”

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