Page 34 of Bad Love

I moonwalk across the carpet to move my work files off the kitchentable.

I catch sight of myself in the mirror and flick the end of one of my braidedpigtails.

Crap. Me rebelling looks like a teenager at a Christian concert.Isnort.

When Rena tells me stories about college, I wonder what it was like. Going out at night, getting dressed up, flirting. Feeling the attraction, giving in toit.

I don't regret choosing a life where I can count my number of partners on onehand.

I don’t think sex is evil, but it’s a shiny distraction that can make you forget the things you reallywant.

That happened to me once with Blake, and it changed the course of my life forever. Since then, I’ve become older.Wiser.

What’s left of Bad Kendall is in the tightly lidded box in the back of my brain. Under a stack of reality andresponsibility.

But as I wipe a bead of sweat off my forehead with my shirt sleeve, I admit that I’ve found myself questioning that more andmore.

You’d rather try them yourself. I can picturethat.

Hunter's words should be eye-roll-inducing.

But the idea of Hunter watching me getoff…

Well, that’soutrageous.

His eyes darkening like they did in the conference room, when the friction from our brushing knees was enough to make me want to grab his collar and crush his mouth tomine.

A shiver runs through my entire body despite the heat from dancing as I force my way across thecarpet.

The banker's box on the chair is the last thing to get put away. I can't resist lifting the lid. My gaze lands on the Red Rocket II. I stare at it as if I'm waiting for it to introduceitself.

The tugging low in my stomachgrows.

The way Hunter looked at me was hungry.Starved.

Half of me wants to put an entire city between us because there’s no way that look will lead to somethinggood.

The other half wants to find another elevator to fall out of so I can feel that hard body against mineagain.

We’ll make them all want what wehave.

Iwant it, and that’s enough of adistraction.

The tingle starts up between my thighs, and I’m well aware I haven’t gotten myself off indays.

I stare at the vibe as if it has the answers.Maybe itdoes.

For research purposes, Idecide.

I grab the vibe and start toward my bedroom. I can take care of this ache I've beenignoring.

Feeling the hairs lift on every inch of my skin, I work my yoga pants down, my simple black pantiestoo.

Then I pull back the bedspread and shift back on the cool sheets, spreading mylegs.

I switch on the vibrator,swallowing.

Here wego.

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