Page 69 of The Manny

“Even if sex is all this is?”

Wrinkling my brow, I said, “Jack, sex is all I expect out of this.”

He searched my face. “I guess I just needed to hear you say that.”

I smirked. “Shall I put it in writing?”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“You sure? I can get a notarized copy for you in the morning. I want you to be at ease about this.”

“Now you’re just making fun of me.”

Grinning, I said, “Yeah.”

He sighed. “I don’t usually sleep with people I know.”

“Excuse me?”

He grimaced. “I mean, you know, I pick someone up and go to their place. I’ve never slept with someone who I like as a person.”

“Why does that sound so fucked up?”

He laughed.

I smiled down at him. “We’re satiating physical needs, that’s all. Neither one of us expects anything more. Okay?”

“Okay.”

I slipped off the arm of his chair. “Now that we have that settled, let’s go to your room. Mine is too close to Mia’s.”

He nodded. “Yes.” He stood and led the way down the hall to his bedroom. There was obvious tension in his shoulders, and I hoped he’d relax and just go with the flow.

When I entered his room, I was struck by how barren it was. The rest of the house was beautifully decorated, but his bedroom was nothing like that. There was a navy bedspread, a nightstand, and long dresser. The only light in the room was an overhead light. To be honest, it reminded me of a prison cell. Maybe one step above, but not much more.

He must have noticed my surprise because he winced. “I haven’t gotten around to decorating in here. I’m not in here that much, and I don’t bring guys home with me.”

“It’s not that bad.”

He laughed. “Liar. I can see it on your face.”

I smiled. “Okay. It’s grim in here. But I’m not here for the décor.”

He sat on the edge of the mattress and bounced up and down. “The room isn’t much to look at, but the mattress is top of the line.”

Moving closer to him, I allowed myself to relax. I’d been holding myself in check, in case he suddenly changed his mind. “Mattresses are so important as we age. Backs are the first thing to go.”

He narrowed his eyes. “I’m only four years older than you.”

“Yes, but I’m ancient.”

He smiled. “You’re nuts, is what you are.” He patted the bed. “You should get naked and then come join me.”

“Okay.” I pulled my T-shirt off over my head and tossed it on the floor. His gaze burned as he scanned my naked torso, making me breathless. I dropped my hands to the top button of my jeans. “Aren’t you going to undress?”

“I was just enjoying the view.” He stood and took his shirt off more slowly, folding it carefully before placing it on the end of the bed.

I ran my gaze over his powerful shoulders, taking in the smooth tanned skin of his chest and abdomen. His body was beautiful, lean but muscular. “All that working out is paying off.”

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