Page 35 of Learn Your Limits
My laugh is full of relief, the tense muscles in my body relaxing as soon as I feel Reid’s large hand on my thigh. “Would it be beneficial to her as well, if you two were to lie about your involvement?” I ask, more curious than anything now.
“Um... Yeah, I mean it probably would. But with our parents being involved in business together, they might expect us to show up for family dinners and events together. I don’t wanna do something that’s going to make you uncomfortable. I won't risk what we have.”
“You’ve made your priorities clear, Reid. I don’t feel like my heart is in danger with you, even when you pretend to date someone else.” Reclining, I stretch my arm across the back of the sofa and wrap my hand around his shoulder. My other hand cups around his chin, moving him so he faces me directly. “No offense to the lovely girl, but I don’t think she could fuck you like I could. Like you need.”
Chapter twenty-seven
Reid
After our conversation last night, we moved to the bedroom where, despite wanting more, we spent the night kissing until we were both too tired to keep our eyes open any longer.
As much as I hate the idea of even pretending to date Avalon, I’m willing to do it if it means that my relationship with Milo will be protected. We only have to keep up the lie until the semester is over and he’s officially no longer my professor. Then we’ll be free to be out in the open together. The thought brings an entirely new set of nerves coiling in the pit of my stomach. Nerves that I brush away, not yet ready to examine them closely.
The bed is cool beside me when I finally peel my eyes open, blinking against the warm rays of light filtering through the sheer curtains. For a split second, I fear that the last twenty-four hours may have been a dream and that I’m not actually on vacation with Milo, tucked away in the woods where nobody will bother us. Then I remember how incredible it felt to fall asleep in his arms with my head on his chest, listening to the sound of his steady heartbeat.
With a groan, I throw back the sheets and swing my legs over the edge of the bed, reaching to check the time on my phone where it’s plugged in on the nightstand. It’s nearly ten a.m., and I feel bad for sleeping in when I know Milo is an early riser.
I don’t bother getting dressed when I finally pull myself out of bed, quickly brushing my teeth and running my hands through my hair in an attempt to tame the auburn mess.
The cabin—which feels a little too luxurious to even be called a cabin—is quiet and not at all what I’m accustomed to. Sharing an apartment with two other guys, both of whom are athletes, means there’s always someone stomping around and making a ton of noise.
I find Milo sitting out on the porch swing with a coffee mug in one hand, the other holding a book open in his lap. The sight of him has my fingers itching to grab my sketchbook from my bag, aching to capture the moment. My entire body feels captivated by the way the slight hint of silver at his temples catches the light, the way his lips are pressed into a soft smile as his eyes drag across the page, the way the steam from his coffee rises and swirls in the air.
He’s stunning.
My attempt at approaching him quietly is immediately disrupted by the wooden planks creaking beneath my steps. “Good morning, handsome,” I rasp, hints of sleep still clinging to my voice as I sink onto the swing beside him. “Sorry I slept so late.”
He looks up from his book, a finger keeping his place as he shuts the pages and focuses his attention on me. “It looks like you needed it,Muñeco.” A huff of a laugh escapes him before he shakes his head and takes a sip from his mug. “I’d sleep in too if my body didn’t wake me up for coffee every morning.”
I make a mental note to check the coffee maker in the kitchen to see if it has a timer. I like the idea of being able to make surehis early morning caffeine hit is ready for him, even if I’m still asleep when he wakes up.
“What are you reading?” I ask, leaning closer to try to get a peek at the cover of his book.
He raises an eyebrow and slowly turns the book toward me, revealing the title. It’s a plain black cover with large gray letters readingThink and Kink. “Heard of it?” he asks.
I shake my head with a smile. “I don’t think so. Usually, when I have free time, I end up drawing. When I do read, it’s just for fun. I do enough educational reading for classes.”
“Because you’re a good little student, aren’t you?” he asks, and my cock stirs at his low, teasing tone. “I’m aware this is our vacation from university, but how would you feel about reading a few chapters? There’s also a questionnaire that may help you identify some...” He pauses, and it feels like his gray-green eyes are burning into me with their intensity. “Preferences for the rest of our vacation.”
He wants me to read,andhe’s giving me homework? I can’t even say I’m shocked. He is a professor, after all. “And what do I get if I complete the questionnaire?”
“You’ll get to see my answers.”
“Any chance I can do the questionnaire and skip the reading? You could just tell me what I need to know,” I say, holding my hand out for the book.
“No. The first few chapters will help you better understand the material in the questionnaire, and I won’t let my answers influence yours.” His voice is stern, leaving no room for argument as he hands over the book and stands from his place on the swing. “I’ll make us lunch while you read and fill out the questions. I expect you to finish within the hour.”
I guess Milo wasn’t joking when he said he wanted me naked for our trip. Granted, okay, I’m not exactly naked. But sitting on a wooden porch swing wearing only a pair of dark green boxer briefs feels pretty damn close. When I woke up this morning, I thought I’d find him, we’d maybe cuddle a little bit and talk about our plans for the day, and then I’d shower and get dressed.
Instead, I’m sitting here, almost naked, reading about kinks, while Milo busies himself in the kitchen making lunch.
I don’t know what I was expecting to find in the book he gave me, but it definitely wasn’t this. The few chapters he asked me to read dove into the science and thought process behind kinks. Reading about some of the things that have always made me curious, and shedding light on the why behind them, somehow makes me feel more confident. But I still wasn’t fully prepared for the assortment of questions that were waiting for me at the end of the book.
Questions that apparently Milo has already answered.
There is no easing into them, with the very first question being one that asks whether or not I like to be dominated in the bedroom. It’s not something I have much experience in, but with the way my body melts from his commanding tone and stern voice, there’s no denying that I’d enjoy it. Still, figuring out my answers isn’t as easy as I thought it would be. The first few I try to answer from a general standpoint, but that leaves me with mixed feelings.
It isn’t until I start to answer the questions with only him in mind that my answers come easier.
