Page 73 of Seduction in Spades

“Because.” I cross my arms and squeeze my eyes shut. I can’t explain it even to myself. “It’s complicated.”

I want to ask him why he’s been so distant this week. I know why I’ve pushed him away, but it isn’t like Nolan to go radio silent.

“What’s complicated?”

“You.”

“Me?” Nolan laughs. “On the contrary.”

“You read me like a book, but I can’t figure you out.”

“In that case, I’m an audiobook. I use my words where your book is written in a foreign language.”

“As if.” I drop to the bed, leaving a few feet in between us. “If that’s the case, why can’t I figureyouout? All I’m getting is static.”

“Because you’re not ready to hear those chapters yet. When you’re ready, I’ll play them in order for you.”

“In order?”

“Yeah. You keep skipping around, reading as you see fit. Hearing what you want to hear and ignoring the other parts.”

“What other parts?”

“See?” He lifts his head and grins. “You’re not ready.”

I bury my face in my hands. “I’m too tired to interpret this analogy of yours. This week has been... a lot.”

“I know.” Nolan reaches across the empty space between us and rubs my back. “My parents’ house is small. Think you’ll be able to keep your hands off me tonight? You’re loud when you come.”

I peer at him between my fingers. “Are you serious right now?”

He hasn’t touched me in a week, acting as if there’s no history between us, and now is when he drops the sex talk?

“Just trying to lighten the mood.” Nolan rises to his feet and picks up the duffle bag he left by the door. “I’m gonna shower and change in the bathroom, unless you want to go first?”

“You can go.”

As soon as he’s gone, I flop back on the bed and stare at the ceiling. He’s right. He’s been quite vocal about what he wants. Me. Commitment. Relationship. To tell Trey about us. And I’m over here rolling the dice to see what mood I’m in and how I’m supposed to treat him.

It’s either keep him far, far away or jump his bones. There’s no in-between.

Sleeping next to him tonight is actually the in-between.

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