Page 67 of Under Pressure

“One of us has to be.”

I let out a weak chuckle, unable to muster the energy for much more.

She breaks away, smoothing her hands down my face. “Can I come over to your house tonight?”

I nod, helpless to deny her anything right now.

“Maybe we can try some of those things?” she whispers, an excited note in her voice.

My dick twitches at the thought, and I close my eyes, nodding again. Her lips press to mine briefly and then there’s the sound of the lab door opening and closing as she exits.

I continue to stand there, breathing in, tensing every muscle in my body, and slowly exhale as I relax everything, trying to remember the exact sequence Mia used on all her biofeedback participants this week.

I have a feeling I’ll need it for tonight.

Chapter Nineteen

Tyler

“What the hell are you wearing?”

Mia stands in the front entryway of my house, stroking the yellow and black striped tie around her neck, a wide smile on her face. “What, you don’t like it?”

I catch hold of the end of it, bringing it closer to study. “It has a badger on it.”

“Mm-hmm.” She tries to glance around me to see the rest of the house, but I block her view.

“This is a Hufflepuff tie.”

“What astute powers of observation you have.” She grins, calling to mind the words I said to her the day of our interviews.

“I don’t know if I should allow any Hufflepuffs in here. It would set a bad precedent.”

“What, none of your roommates are?” She slips past me and into the living room, where Ethan is sprawled out on the couch. He pauses the movie he’s watching and turns to her, a lazy grin on his face.

I thought twice about letting her come over here, knowing Ethan will likely try to embarrass me in some way. But honestly, it doesn’t matter. I’ve decided tonight is another experiment. A test of control. To make sure I can separate out the sexual stuff from everything else. I just have to compartmentalize it all to keep this arrangement working. A part of my brain for friend and coworker Mia, and a place for bedroom Mia.

I took her to the gym last time to prove to myself we can hang out like normal, and this time is to prove I can keep anything personal out of us hooking up. She’s like any other girl. Like Lainie and Ashlynn and all the rest.

And if I can’t…

No, I can. Right now just doesn’t count. This is still friend mode.

Ethan glances at me, still smiling. “So this is the infamous Mia.”

I narrow my eyes, warning him, but his grin only stretches wider.

“We watched you in the ring the other week,” she says. “It was pretty impressive.”

He nods graciously. “Thanks.”

“Quick question. What Hogwarts house would you say you belong to?”

I begin to protest and she quickly places a hand over my mouth before I can tell him what she’s up to. She struggles to keep her hand in place as I first tickle her in an attempt to get her to let go, then lick her palm. She just laughs in response, unwilling to concede defeat.

Ethan’s eyes widen at our antics, clearly bewildered. His gaze flicks down to the tie she’s wearing, finally making the connection. “Oh, I’m definitely a Hufflepuff,” he claims, trying to piss me off.

Mia lets go, pumping her arms above her head as she jumps up and down in delight. “Yes!”

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