Page 188 of Rock Me All Night

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He's trying to win. As always.

We turn onto my street. The car slows to a stop a dozen or so feet from my apartment. I undo my seatbelt and reach for the door, but he stops me.

"Kara."

His fingertips graze my wrist. I pull my hand into my lap so there's no chance he'll feel the scars.

I make eye contact. Oh, those eyes. Those piercing eyes. "I really need to finish my essay."

"You know you can talk to me about anything."

"And in public, no less." I reach for the door again. "I'm really glad all the salespeople at Urban Home know my feelings about oral sex."

"I'm glad I know."

I try to shake off my mood. I try to remember the upbeat Motown song. "Yes, well you're deranged."

He studies my expression with doubt. He doesn't buy the cheer, but he doesn't push it. "Thank you."

I pull the door handle. He's still staring at me, but I'm not about to fall back into that awful role. "It's a twelve-page essay."

"One question first."

"What?"

His mood lightens. "Do you masturbate?"

I step out of the car. "Goodnight, Drew."

"Yes or no?"

I turn and walk up the steps. In my pocket, my phone buzzes. There's no way he... I pull it out. Yep, it's Drew.

Drew: Yes or no?

I turn back to him and wave goodbye.

"You didn't close the car door," he says.

"Sue me."

He smiles, reaches for the door, and slams it shut. I make my way into my apartment like I don't know he's watching.

Inside, I press my back against the wall so I can hear the car pull away. But it doesn't.

My phone buzzes again.

Drew: It's only two letters. Or three. Let's be real. It's three.

Kara: Fuck you.

Drew: Not with your silly rules about how I can't rub you until you scream.

Kara: GOOD NIGHT, DREW.

Drew: One word. That's all I ask.

Nadeen is sitting on the couch with a textbook, staring at me like I'm a freak. Good thing I don't care what she thinks.

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