Page 10 of Touch Me Not

“It wasn’t even that long,” she said forlornly. “It was only an hour, and he didn’t even bother to say goodbye. He had his friend throw me out.”

“Just check it off your bucket list,” Lily told her. “You had sex with BU’s very own manwhore. Everyone else has, so why not you?”

That caused Stephanie to giggle. “He is hot, and the sex was really great.”

“See, it’s not the end of the world, is it? Now you know what all the hype is about, and you can go on and find a nice guy this semester to fall for, yeah?”

Stephanie smiled before lunging up to hug Lily, who went completely still, fighting the scream that rose in her throat. “You’re the best, Lily. I’m glad you’re our dorm mom!”

“Just promise me you two won’t have any more beer parties this year, please.” She gave Stephanie a strained smile and disentangled herself as fast as she could. She winced at the conspiratorial look Stephanie and Mandy gave each other. Dear God, they were going to give her white hairs before she was even twenty-two.

“We promise to try to behave as long as it doesn’t get in the way of our fun.” Mandy grinned and pulled Stephanie to her feet. “Come on, Steph, you need to wash your face before we join everyone.”

Lily followed them out, an indulgent smile tugging at her lips. They were good girls, just a little too mischievous for their own good. And they did ridiculously stupid things in the name of fun, like having sex with the slutty manwhore.

She and Nikoli had a lot of things to talk about, and if he had any thoughts of seducing her, they’d die as soon as she told him in no uncertain terms she’d never be a throwaway he forgot in less than five minutes. She refused to be the one on the bed crying because she let her guard down.

Not that it would ever be a problem. Her phobia would make sure of that. It was part of why she’d agreed to go out with Nikoli. She knew there was no chance of an intimate relationship. Anddeep down, she liked seeing him nonplused. She threw him off his game. It was nice to know she could do that without even touching him.

The thought was a confidence booster after that little argument with Adam.

Mandy and Steph were laughing as she passed them, Steph talking about how big the manwhore’s cock was, and Lily wrinkled her nose.

No way in hell was she sleeping with him. He just didn’t know it yet.

CHAPTER FIVE

Lily glanced at herself in the mirror and grinned. Worn, baggy jeans and one of Adam’s football jerseys over her black tank top was probably not what Nikoli had in mind when he asked her to dinner. Comfortable sandals completed her outfit, her toes shining from the pink nail polish she’d put on yesterday. Nikoli probably expected a dress and heels. She pulled her hair back in pigtails then slipped on her 1950’s-style black-rimmed glasses. She screamed nerdy geek going to a high school football pep rally. So not Nikoli’s style.

“Well, you certainly aren’t going to inspire any lustful thoughts,” Janet said from where she lounged in the open doorway of Lily’s room.

“My point,” Lily told her. “Plus, I’m going prepared to wage war.”

Janet arched a brow in question.

“You remember Stephanie and Mandy from last year? The ones who had the beer party that nearly got us all kicked out?”

“Oh, yeah, I definitely remember that. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so mad.”

“Well, seems our boy accosted Stephanie and left her in tears.” Lily shook her head. “Why will they never learn? Women are just his toy of the hour.”

“He’s too pretty for his own good,” Janet agreed. “I love Mike dearly, but if Nikoli gave me one of those sex-filled stares of his…” She shrugged. “I don’t know what I’d do, honestly. I know how bad that sounds, but he is just one of those men…”

Lily understood exactly what Janet was talking about. Nikoli was a man who could potentially destroy a woman without a second thought, and she’d go into it with her eyes wide open. He never gave them any expectations. They really did bring it all on themselves.

“Speaking of Mike, he said Adam put his foot in his mouth.”

Lily rolled her eyes. “Yeah, he went into over-protective big brother mode and tried to forbid me from going out with the manwhore.”

“Oh, God, I never thought about him like that.” Janet giggled. “Now every time I hear his name, I’m going to think manwhore.”

Lily laughed herself. “Just imagine it…Nikoli dressed in black strappy heels, a mini-skirt, and a slutty top, hooking on the corner.”

“Stop,” Janet gasped between laughs. “That image is going to stay with me now, damn you! How am I supposed to indulge in sex fantasies about him if I keep seeing him posed on a street corner in trashy prostitute gear?”

Lily performed a mock bow. “My job is done, and the only man you’ll be having sex fantasies about is Mikey.”

Janet took several deep breaths then walked over to Lily’s bed and collapsed. “I needed that laugh. Mike has been grumpy all week.”

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