Page 3 of Sexploration

“I know, and I appreciate that, but he doesn’t need to uproot his life for...” She lets out a relenting groan. “Fine, okay. Yeah, love you too.”

She rolls her eyes as she hangs up and hands me back the phone. “I guess I don’t even get a say in what I want.”

There it is, that darkness trying to creep back in. I hate it. And I fucking hate Tommy for making her feel this way. That bastard deserves everything that’s coming to him.

“Sure, you do.” I grab her hand, tugging her closer to me. “Go ahead. Tell me what you want, gorgeous.”

I’m teetering a fine line here, playing with fire. The truth behind my relentless flirtation was always hidden behind a wall of impossibility before. But there are no barriers between us anymore. If I’m not careful, I could expose myself too soon and scare her away.

She laughs, red tinting her cheeks as her hand slips from mine. “Jesus, I don’t know how you manage to make everything sound so...”

“So what?” I challenge, offering her the cup of tea.

Her eyes go all gooey as she takes the mug. “You made me tea?”

“Chamomile.” The word is a whisper, her warm gaze causing an ache in my chest. “I thought it would help you sleep.”

“This is exactly what I don’t want.” She huffs, her mood shifting without warning once more.

“Okay. If you don’t want the tea...” I reach for it as if I’m going to take it back.

“No, I want the fucking tea.” She bats my hand away and raises the cup to her lips, inhaling the aroma before taking a sip. “That was very thoughtful. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome?” I cock an eyebrow, a smile fighting to break free.

“I just mean I don’t want you fussing over me. I’m already imposing simply by being here. The last thing I want is for you to put your life on hold for me. Just do whatever you would normally do.” Her gaze meets mine over the rim of the mug, waiting and measuring how I’ll react.

“Well, I usually walk around nude,” I say with a smirk.

“Yes, well, I think the one item of clothing you’re wearing isn’t too much of an imposition on you.” Her stare moves down my body, lingering below my waistband for only a second before flicking back up.

It isn’t the first time I’ve noticed her eyeing me with appreciation tonight. She must’ve been staring hard enough to notice I’m freeballing under here.

“Are you sure? Because I’m happy to...” I hook my thumbs on my waistband, tugging ever so slightly.

“Speaking of,” she says over me, a squeak in her voice, “feel free to bring any of your lady friends home. You don’t need to worry about me. I had roommates in college. I can totally handle it.”

“Lady friends?” I cackle. “Like for bingo? Cards?”

“You know what I mean. I don’t want to... cock block you.”

My dick twitches in my pants as the word crosses her full, pink lips. My mind jumps to an image of those lips wrapped around me.

I step closer, close enough that she’s forced to peer up at me, taking a piece of her hair between my fingers. “Now, why the hell would I bring home fast food when there’s a premium beef steak here waiting for me?”

“Yes, because every woman loves to be compared to a cow,” she retorts, patting me on the cheek before putting some space between us again. “And on that note, I’m going to bed.”

She turns on her heel, but not before I catch the smile that spreads across her face.

“My offer still stands, gorgeous,” I call out after her as she walks away. “I don’t even snore, promise.”

She pauses, glancing over her shoulder as if she’s considering it. Her mouth opens then snaps closed again before she shakes her head. “Goodnight, August.”

Fuck me, she’s sexy.

JOSIE

The clock on the wall taunts me with each tick, the minutes counting down agonizingly slow. This day has been more trying than I expected. I love being a teacher, but my third graders are treading on my frayed nerves today. I’m desperate for the bell to ring, allowing me forty minutes of blissful peace and quiet.

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