Page 40 of Bad Seed
“Oh…”
“Should? Should I have said that? I mean, I want to. A lot. Preferably when I don’t have to work the next day, and there’s Gatorade and snacks, but… I fucked it all up, didn’t I?”
“No. No. He’s a man. They’re simple creatures, like jellyfish.”
“Huh?” Aubry was no squishy aquatic animal, though his touch could sting me in electric ways.
“No brain, and no spine. You’ve got to do all the thinking and doing for them. Text him. Tell him you need him in your bed right now.” Lucy lunges for my phone, but I dodge away.
“I thought that’d make me look desperate.”
“Desperate times…” She reaches again, but at my nearly six foot height, I easily hold the phone above her head. Still, Lucy jumps a few more times before she gives up. “You like him, don’t you?”
He’s so sweet in a way I never see anymore. Even after he got everything he wanted, repeatedly, he took the time to make me breakfast. And I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s something deep inside of him. A darkness that should scare me, but doesn’t. Also he looks adorable with his hair all smooshed to one side after sleeping.
“Yeah,” I admit.
“And he likes you,” Lucy leads with.
I don’t know. Sure, he said he was into my tendency to blather on, but that could have just been a way to get me naked. Boy did he want me naked. “He likes parts of me.”
“Good enough.” Lucy leans closer as if about to tell me all her secrets in the world. “Look, this doesn’t have to be love. Maybe he’s spooked after a bad relationship. Keep it strictly pants-optional. You’re not seeing each other, just meeting up to eat and fuck. Casual.”
“Casual…” Keep any emotions out of this. It’s strictly business, joining one end to another.
“You like his cock,” Lucy damn near sings at me.
“I’d die for that cock,” falls out of my mouth. I yelp and slap a hand to try to stop it, but it’s too late. I said that, out loud, in a grocery store, in front of thejams. If there is a hell, I’m going there in the hardiest hand basket.
“So…” She will not let this go. Almost like she hopes to join us on those helicopter rides to Paris. I stare at my friend, seeing though her scheming, before I remember there is no helicopter. And even if there was, he wouldn’t take me.
I’m the hookup at a motel.
Well, a hotel.
In a fancy suite.
Overlooking a city as he fucks me against the floor to ceiling windows.
Is that such a bad thing?
My finger hovers over the keyboard. What the hell do I type?
Let’s do it!
You+ me = bone town.
Eggplant peach, eggplant peach, eggplant peach, water droplets
I like how safe I feel with you and hope you feel the same.
I shiver and close out my messages.
“Maybe I’ll do it later,” I tell her and reach for the jar of peanut butter I may or may not need. Can’t go wrong with too much peanut butter.
Lucy groans, disappointed in me. But if I never try, then I won’t get rejected. It was one thing when I just wanted to fuck the man that saved my life, but now… Things are getting sticky whether I want them to or not.
“Hey!” I cry out, dropping the peanut butter into my cart. Nestled behind it is a jar I recognize, and one I never expected to see again. “It’s banana sauce!” I hold it out to Lucy like I’m selling it.
