Page 59 of Rock Me All Night
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The only placeopen is a horribly expensive organic store. I try to buy my sashimi bowl and green tea but Miles insists. I guess I agreed to this term—anything we do, he pays. I'm too tired to object.
Just to screw with me, he buys strawberries and a bottle of chocolate syrup. I'm notthatinexperienced. I know what people do with chocolate syrup. God, how I want him doing it to me, his tongue lapping the treat off my thighs and breasts.
In the car, I do my best to get comfortable. It's a long drive to Malibu, and there's almost no space between us.
I press my back into the leather seat and turn the radio to an earblasting volume. It's loud enough to drown my thoughts. I need a break from everything. I need to not hurt for a while.
Miles slides the knob until the music is low enough for a conversation. Thankfully, he doesn't attempt one. His attention stays on the road.
He drives just as fast as he does on his bike. The city zips by. Then we're on Pacific Coast Highway and we're surrounded by ocean and sky.
I open the moonroof and watch the stars shine. There are patches of clouds in the dark sky, but we're far enough away from the city lights that the stars are bright.
There's something about being next to Miles. I feel so exposed and safe at once. It's like nothing outside this car, not even my memories of Rosie, can hurt me.
Him seeing me, knowing how close I am to breaking—that can hurt me.
"You know, when I mentioned conversation, I was assuming you'd also make an effort." His voice is light.
Okay. I can tease too. "Conversation isn't my strong suit."
"I can tell."
"Or yours."
He laughs. "We both know my strong suit. What's yours?"
I'm good at studying. At this point, it's probably my greatest skill. Not very useful outside of school, but I have another four years of that ahead of me.
Still, we're almost flirting. And flirting might convince Miles I want him as more than a distraction.
I do. I want him as more than a fuck buddy.
That can't happen. This is sex. Just sex.
"Spades," I say.
"How the hell do you come up with spades?"
I try to cobble together a joke, but the pieces don't fit "Well, it's obviously not hearts."
"And not comedy."
I flip him off playfully. My lips curl into a smile.
He laughs. "You're good at driving me out of my mind."
"In what way?"
"You mean besides how fucking crazy I go thinking about touching you again?"
I take a deep breath. "Don't tease me if you're going to stick to that ridiculousno sex tonightdeclaration."
"Not that you care?"
"Go to hell."
