Page 43 of Crazy Love

Anthony pulls out of me, and I instantly feel empty at the loss. He manoeuvres me so we’re both facing each other, lying on the paint-speckled sheets protecting the floor. “You’d better believe it, Red.”

I curl my arms under my head and stare at him, basking in my post-orgasm bliss.

His eyes dart down as he skims my hip. “What does this mean?”

I know he’s referring to my flower mandala tattoo. “The circle of life. Everyone has their own interpretations of mandalas, but that’s what it represents to me. Life, creation, our place in the universe.”

I got it the day I turned eighteen, much to Mimi’s chagrin. Yoga and meditation were a big part of my life thanks to my therapist’s recommendations. It was supposed to remind me to stay grounded when I felt lost.

I’d forgotten that.

Anthony’s watching me and I blink away my thoughts, giving him a smile. “You going to tell me what all your tattoos mean?”

“We’ll be here all night. Not that I’d complain.”

The intensity with which Anthony stares at me sends a sharp jolt to my chest. He reaches his arm out as if to pull me close to him.

I roll away. “I think maybe we should set some ground rules.”

“Ground rules?” Anthony frowns. He watches me as I jump to my feet and slide my (thankfully intact) underwear back on.

“To make sure we’re on the same page.”

Anthony props himself up on his elbow. “I’m all ears, Red.”

“Let’s be practical about this,” I suggest. “It’s good right now because it’s uncomplicated.”

Anthony twists his lips. “And by instilling ground rules, you’renotcomplicating it?”

I narrow my eyes. “Rule number one. No feelings. If we get feelings, we be honest and we end this.”

Anthony studies me with a familiar look of suspicion, chewing on his bottom lip. “Why exactly do we have to end it if there are feelings?”

“Because I don’t really do relationships,” I reply, pulling my top over my head. I can deal with my bra later. “I get bored easily and I wouldn’t want to make things awkward between us.”

“Huh.” His response is a sound of mild surprise, and he rolls his tongue over his teeth before nodding. “No feelings.”

I ignore the pang of disappointment that fleetingly hums in my chest. “Good.” I snatch up my drink bottle and take a swig. “We don’t owe each other anything.”

“So, we can see other people?”

I choke as the drink bottle slips from my hand, bouncing by my feet. I cough to clear my throat. “Sure. I’ve never been a big monogamy person. Use protection, shower before seeing me and we won’t have an issue.”

Anthony lets his head fall back and he runs a hand down his face. “Wow. Way to take the romance out of the situation.”

“That’s another thing. No romance. Romance leads to feelings. You’re already forgetting the rules.”

Anthony sits up, amused.

“What?” I snap. “You’ll thank me later for initiating this conversation. Trust me. Don’t you have any rules?”

He stares up at the ceiling in thought, twisting his lips as he muses. “I didn’t realise I had to have a list ready.”

Watching him lie there, sweat glistening on his chest as it rises and falls rhythmically, is almost hypnotising. A part of me wants to join him back on the floor and let him pull me into a vice-like embrace.

“Maybe I have one,” he perks up.

“Have one what?”

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