Page 47 of More Than Chemical
“Actually, I wanted us to go over some ground rules first.”
He did that trick I couldn’t do, spinning his pencil around his thumb with his index finger. “What kind of rules?”
“Rules so we’re both on the same page.”
He lifted his piece of paper in the air and smiled with the corners of his mouth. “I thought we were?”
“No, I’m referring to my text message earlier—the one you didn’t answer.”
He wrinkled his nose. “The ignore-you-in-public one?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t worry. I got it. Loud and clear.” His gaze remained focused on me. “I have some damage control to take care of on the reputation front, but I don’t see it lasting. I’ll fix it.”
“And, of course, there are other rules.”
“Like?” He lifted his brows.
At that moment, I decided that it was time to begin the Priya-induced-cleavage experiment. I took off my jacket, slung it over the back of the chair, and turned back to him. I didn’t have to wait. He was already staring, his bold look branding me.
Finally, he slid his unabashed gaze up to mine, and his eyes glittered. “Nice shirt.”
I warmed like an infrared space heater. I was sure my neck and face had turned the same orangish-red color as the heating coils. I needed no further experimental evidence. Dallas was a bad boy who thought I had nice tits.
Progress. Definitely progress happening here.
“So what kind of rules are you talking about?” he asked.
I looked down at my physics problem, unable to look him in the eye. “I think we should keep things between us…well…you know…like how you normally do things.”
“Which is?”
“You know.” Okay. Now I had to look at him again. Right into those bottomless brown eyes of his. “Just sex.”
He froze.
“We keep things light, easy, fun.”
He touched the base of his neck, not saying a word.
“Like this.” I laid my palms flat on the table. “This is fine. We can still meet to study or whatever.”
“Let me get this straight.” His gaze was clouded. His face was blank. “Are you asking me to be your fuck buddy?”
My leg bounced. It wouldn’t stop. “Isn’t that what you do?”
“Adriana.” He sounded like a parent scolding a child.
“Call me Ade. Remember? Light, easy, fun.”
He leaned back. “Ade, I’m not sure what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything more than yes.”
He narrowed his eyes. “What makes you think fuck buddies is what I do?”
“Well, there’s your reputation?—”
