Page 168 of The Hookup Situation
She looks at me. “Can we watch it together?”
“After we finish these questions.” I study her face, knowing she needs this.
I swear I see fire in her eyes.
“Okay. Give me the laptop.”
“Sure, have at it,” I tell her as she places her hands on the keys.
Julie reads the questions and types away, her fingers flying over the keyboard. I watch her, but I allow her to give her words, until she gets to the end.
“These questions are for you specifically,” she tells me, passing the laptop back to me.
I place it on my upper thighs and read it.
How does this make you feel, knowing that this scumbag of a man did this to your girlfriend?
I’m upset for her. I’m upset that so many people are invading her privacy and supporting this cruel behavior. It makes me sick to my stomach, and I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy. However, I will be there for her through this.
I move to the next question.
Are any of the rumors true? Is this a fake relationship to repair your reputation? You have to admit that all of this seems to have worked in your favor, and considering you are a Banks brother, it’s not below you to fabricate something like this. Thoughts?
Julie doesn’t react. “What does that mean?”
I glance at her. “Some people believe I’m here to repair my bad reputation and show the public I can commit so that the man-whore rumors will end.”
“Did you come here for that?” she questions, tilting her head.
“No. I don’t give a fuck about my reputation, babe. If I did, I wouldn’t have done half the shit in my past so publicly. Also, I’d never use you.”
“Oh, Nick. I’m so sorry. I never thought you’d use me. My head wasn’t thinking that way.”
“It’s fine. I just want you to know that I’d never do anything to hurt you. After what happened with Craig, you need to hear that. I promise you that on my sister’s grave,” I tell her. “And I’d never lie to my sister.”
She tears up and wraps her arms around me. “Thank you. I’m so scared this is going to push you away.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m right here.”
I type the answer to the last question and set the laptop on the coffee table.
“LadyLux has her email. Can we eat casserole now?”
I grin. “Later. First, victory kiss.”
She arches a brow. “Victory kiss?”
I tug her into my lap, kissing her until she’s laughing against my mouth. Her hands fist my shirt, pulling me closer, and suddenly, the room feels smaller, charged in that way it always does when I’m with her.
When she pulls back, she whispers, “Can we watch it together?”
I search her face. “You were serious?”
She nods, green eyes fierce despite the nerves in them. “I want to see it. To see us.”
I pull my phone from my pocket, unlock the private folder Asher built for me, and press play. The Riverside bedroom fills the screen. I see her blindfolded with wrists tied to the bed, both of us raw, reckless, alive.
Julie’s breath hitches. “God, you look at me like?—”
