Page 68 of Under Pressure

“Fuck you, man,” I tell him good-naturedly. “You know you’re a Gryffindor.”

He scratches his jaw, pretending to mull it over. “Nah, pretty sure it’s the badger life for me.”

She laughs at his comment and the way he grins back at her has me pausing. I know he was pushing to get a rise out of me the other week telling me Mia was cute and he wanted to ask her out, but the idea hits a little too close to home right now.

I grab her hand, saying bye to Ethan, and drag her to my bedroom before any more can happen between the two of them.

“Are you trying to rile me up before we even get started?” I ask her as I close the door behind us.

“Maybe,” she says flirtatiously, sitting down on the edge of my bed. She strokes her hand across the black comforter, glancing up at me with a small smile on her lips.

I swallow heavily, this sexually playful side she’s showing incredibly arousing. I’m afraid to show how much I like it for fear she’ll use it against me. God knows it’s hard enough to keep control around her as it is.

But I have to. That’s what tonight is about. Staying in control. Of my thoughts. My emotions. The dynamic between us. This is a hookup. Nothing more.

I walk forward, fingering the tie she’s wearing. “So this is for me to use on you? To tie you up with?”

She shakes her head, mischief on her face. “The other way around. I want to tieyouup.”

My jaw drops, equal parts denial and excitement running through me. “We never agreed on anything like that.”

She stands, drawing flush with me, so close I could lean down and kiss her if I wanted. “Admit the idea turns you on just a little bit,” she whispers.

I shake my head, but it might be more to convince myself than her. Why would I want her to tie me up? That’s the opposite of control.

Or maybe…

Maybe it’s the perfect way to test it. If I can keep control of myself while I’m at her mercy, not let it affect me, it’ll mean I’m okay, not in any danger of…

Of what? What exactly do I think will happen? I’ll fall madly in love with her? Beg her to give me a chance? Ask her to be my girlfriend?

Jesus, Tyler, get a grip. It’s just sex.

The light in her eyes dims as I shake my head and she takes a step back toward the bed. “I’m not asking to get kinky or anything. I wouldn’t even know how to do that,” she says ruefully. “I just thought it might be a little fun.”

I close my eyes, feeling like shit. How do I always manage to screw everything up?

I take action instead of wasting my time with words, hurriedly stripping off my clothes before picking her up and throwing her on the bed. Her eyes widen as I cover her with my body and kiss the ever-loving hell out of her. She quickly gets on board, cupping my face to return the kiss, and I make swift movements at her neck to loosen the tie.

I roll over so I’m underneath her and slowly bring my hands above my head, crossing them at the wrist. “Use the tie.”

She stares at me for a moment before jumping into motion, scrambling to get it off her neck. She ties the length of cotton around my wrists, calling to mind the way I’ve wrapped her hands for boxing, something incredibly sensual about the act.

“I don’t know what I’m doing,” she whispers, her hands shaking slightly.

“I don’t either,” I admit. “I’ve never done anything like this before.” I look her in the eye, leaving unspoken that she’s the only one I would put myself in this situation with. I haven’t been this out of my element with a girl since I was fifteen years old.

But I’m obviously not voicing that aloud. No need for her to think there’s more between us than what there is.

This is just sex, I remind myself when her breast grazes my cheek as she leans over to finish tying me.

It’s just sex, as she reaches down and strips her own shirt off, her creamy skin so pale and perfect.

Just sex, as she straddles me and tenderly cups my face, bringing her lips down to meet mine, the barest brushing that has me instinctively straining upward for more.

“Have I told you how beautiful your eyes are?” she whispers. “How amazing your body is?” She leans back to sweep her palms over my chest, her gaze focused hungrily on me.

“I thought you only liked me for my brain and voice.”

---