Page 66 of Sass

“Because youcareabout me,” I countered. “Because what we havemeanssomething.”

He pulled a troubled face. “I’d be crap... I don’t... I’ve never—”

“So you’ve said.” I brushed his sweaty hair back from his face. “Repeatedly. AndIsay, letmeworry about that. I’m a big boy—”

Another snort.

“Yeah, yeah. Funny guy. But I mean it. I’m not a fucking child. I don’t need or want your protection.”

He frowned, like he wasn’t quite so sure, and it was kind of sweet but totally unnecessary.

“All I’m suggesting is that we try spending some more time together, kind of like we already are.” I arched a brow. “See how things go. Doesn’t have to be formal or serious. We don’t have to name it. You’ve been perfectly clear how you feel about dating.”

His brow creased. “Is that what we’d be doing?”

I sighed. “Call it whatever you like, or nothing at all. I don’t care. I’m not asking you to be exclusive or anything like that.”

Like he’d read my mind, Chris shot me a challenging look. “I’m pretty sure you don’t work like that, Leon.”

I wasn’t going to lie. “I’m willing to try. For a little while, at least. If it helps you agree.” I shrugged as nonchalantly as I could manage without throwing up, because just the thought of Chris being with anyone else was already fucking killing me.

He blinked and then stared at me for so long I found myself struggling to hold fast on those shrewd green eyes. “You’d do that? For me?”

I’d do just about anything.The thought sprang from nowhere and the truth of it almost sucked the breath from my lungs. “Yes, I’d do that for you. And no, I won’t like it. But you’re worth it.”

He shook his head. “You barely know me.”

“Really?” I cocked a brow and his cheeks flushed.

“Okay, so maybe you know me a little.” He pushed my head back against the headboard. “Don’t get cocky.”

I smiled. “I know enough to want a whole lot more.”

He took a deep breath and let it go slowly, watching me all the while. “What if I can’t give you what you want?”

“Then we stay friends.”Even if it kills me.“I’m not going to hold this against you. Cards are on the table, right? I’m going in with my eyes open.”

“Easy as that?”

Not even close.But I nodded, if only to stop from screaming at him to wake the fuck up and see what was right in front of him. “Not easy, but it’ll be okay.” I was impressed at how calm I sounded.

Chris shot me a look that said he didn’t believe me for a second. And to be honest, I half-wondered whether the gut-wrenching knowledge of him fucking other people while we got to know each other better might just make it that much easier for me to walk away when the time came. I could only hope.

After far too long, a smile finally touched his lips. “All right. I agree. We can try.”

His answer startled me. “Really?”

He leaned in, his breath hot on my lips, his eyes soft, something I rarely saw. “Yes, really, as terrifying as the idea is.” He brushed his lips over mine, his tongue darting inside for a quick taste before retreating again. “You’re certainly right about one thing.” He rocked our groins together. “The sex between us is fucking outstanding.”

Shit.“Wait.” My hands stilled his hips. “I want to be clear about what just happened. We’re going to try to be somethingmorethan just good in bed, right? Because that isn’t what this is about, at least not for me. This isn’t a friends-with-benefits offer.”

He sighed. “I know. I heard you loud and clear.” But when he sat back, that soft look had muted, and a familiar guardedness sat in its place. “But I want to add a condition of my own.”

My heart sank, expecting the worst. “Fine. Name it.”

He took a deep breath and his cheeks pinked. “I really think we should be exclusive... while we’re trying this... whatever this is.”

My eyes sprang wide. “What? But I thought—”

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