Page 108 of Hat Trick

“What happened earlier?”

“Back in my bedroom. I crossed a line by letting our conversation get that far, and I’m sorry for not putting a stop to it. I understand if you want me to work with a different athletic trainer going forward.”

“What are you talking about? I’ve seen your dick, Riley. We spent an intimate night together, and you think learning you like to tie people up is what’s going to make me not want to work with you anymore? Please.” I snort and jump onto the counter. “I’m not scandalized. I’mintrigued. There’s a difference.”

“Were you serious about what you said?” He closes the distance between us, positioning himself between my thighs. His hands land on either side of my hips, and he stares me down. “About what you want to try?”

“I wouldn’t lie about that.”

I’ve never been ashamed of my sexual preferences. I’ve been open about what I want in the bedroom and haven’t cared if someone judges me, but this conversation feels deeper. More personal. It’s not a man I’m never going to see again or someone I matched with having one goal in mind: getting off.

It’s a man I know well, who seems to enjoy the things I enjoy, and that propels me forward.

“We agreed on one night,” Riley says slowly. “We agreed to be friends.”

I gnaw on my bottom lip, wanting to get this next part right. “The first time was fun.”

“It was phenomenal.”

“We had a good time, and yeah, it was a little awkward after, but we got through it. What if we do it again? You can’t deny there’s chemistry between us, and we worked really well together. I’ve never… sex wise, that was the best night of my life.”

“What are you asking me for? To be your boyfriend?”

“Absolutely not.” My laughter dies in my throat when he inches closer. I drop my head against the cabinet behind me and watch the heat behind his eyes. “Not that.”

“Is the idea of me being your boyfriend funny, Lexi?”

“No.No. Of course not. You’re a nice guy, and I’m sure you’d be a wonderful boyfriend. I just… I don’t want that. I don’t want a relationship. I want… no emotions. No messy feelings. That’s not my style.”

“You want to be fucked,” he says, and the detachment in his voice makes my skin warm. He makes it sound dirty,filthy, and I can feel my underwear getting wet. “Why me?”

“Because I know you can deliver? Because I trust you? Because I… I told you what I wanted to try and you didn’t make a joke out of it?”

Riley takes a step back, and the air around me deflates. I can think more clearly when he’s not in my space.

“Fuck buddies. Friends with benefits. Am I getting this right?” he asks. “You call me when you want me to get you off, and I make you come until you can’t think straight?”

“Yup. Yeah. Mhm. Sounds about right.”

He rolls his lips together and blinks at me. “No feelings?”

“None. It’s sex. That’s it.”

“Are you going to be sleeping with anyone else?”

“Areyougoing to be sleeping with anyone else?” I ask.

“No,” he says without a second thought. “I told you, you’re the only woman I’ve slept with in god knows how long.”

“I haven’t been with anyone since you,” I practically blurt, and he lifts an eyebrow. “What? Is the idea of me keeping my legs closed that shocking to you?”

“No,” he repeats. He puts his hands on my thighs and runs his fingers up the denim of my jeans. “Guess I’m just proud I’m enough to satisfy Ms. Independent.”

“One time together and you’re this cocky?” I grab his shirt and tug him toward me. I brush my mouth along the corner of his lips, shaking my head when he whimpers. “I’m not kissing you until you tell me yes or no.”

“You know what my answer is. I’ll be your fuck buddy, Lex. I’ll take care of you.”

“No feelings.”

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