Page 74 of Playmaker

We’d become close, friends and encroaching on more. Despite the platonic rule she’d set up, I’d never been able to ignore Callie’s body. Something about her made me want to map those freckles, see if they were everywhere. Did she like someone playing with her tits? Was she ticklish? What did she look like when she came? I wanted to see her lose that control she wrapped around herself.

But she’d never indicated she wanted to get physical. “Where’s this coming from?” I shook my head. “I don’t do pity sex. Or reluctant virgins.”

“I’m not—” She broke off. “Sorry. I’m not reluctant, or a virgin. I’m interested.”

“But you said no sex?”

“I know. It’s not…it was never that I don’t find you attractive. But…” She shrugged. “Selfishly, I didn’t want to mess up our deal. And if you wanted someone, you have models like that watch ad woman—I’m not really your type.”

“You have no idea what my type is.”

She crossed her arms around her waist. “It’s okay, you can say no. I just…”

“Just?”

“I think you need someone to take care of you. Not only to get off, but to be appreciated.”

To be appreciated?How long since I’d been appreciated for something other than my face, or body, or wealth, or hockey skills? When had someone wanted to take care of me because they thought I’d had a rough day?

“Callie, I don’t want you to feel obligated, or indebted, but you can appreciate me any time you want.”

“Really?” She looked hopeful, unsure if I’d turn her down.

“Anytime.” This shitty day was looking up. Way up.

Her brows lowered. “It’s either that or I’m going to be slapping some of your relatives tomorrow.”

I laughed, something I’d never have expected after an evening of my father’s insults. “Sex would definitely be better than you taking on my family.”

“Slapping them would feel good.”

“Sex will feel better.”

There it went, that stubborn chin lifting, but there was a smile fighting to come out. “Oh, you’re that good you can make guarantees?”

I cocked my head. “I’m confident. Well, there could be mitigating factors.”

“Mitigating factors?”

I grinned at her. “Being in a war zone—an active one. Serial killer on our heels. Gunshot or stab wound. Flu or pneumonia.” I dropped the grin. “If you’re asexual or in pain or mentally incapable of getting into sex? Then no, I couldn’t make sure you came. But otherwise, all it takes is time and paying attention.”

“Time?”

“I don’t have other plans tonight.”

I stared at her wide eyes and flushed cheeks. The arms around her waist had loosened. She might not know it yet, but we had already started. Before I touched her, I was going to seduce her with words.

She ran her teeth over her lush bottom lip. “And paying attention. Like, how?”

“Well, I use all the senses.” I lowered my voice. “Like sound. Some people are good at vocalizing what they want, others you have to listen to the nonverbal sounds. Moaning, panting, catches in their breath—that all can tell you how they’re feeling.”

“But what if you’re also panting and moaning?” Her voice was a little breathy, like she was imagining those sounds in context.

“I make sure my partner is doing that first.”

She frowned. “Huh.”

Had none of her partners made her pleasure a priority? But I didn’t want her to dwell on her past. “And sight. If it’s not pitch black, and I do prefer some light, there are dilated pupils, flushed skin, hard nipples. Those are pretty good indicators. Shivers and twitches—the body has a lot of ways to indicate how it feels, if you’re watching.”

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