Page 68 of The C Agreement

“You mean, like, a boyfriend-girlfriend sort of thing. But, no, I know you’re not trying to change me or hint at something, if that’s what you’re getting at.”

“It is.”

“So, Mom is part of the reason I like being single, but not for the reason you think. She never dated or brought guys home the whole time I was growing up, but she was happy. She didn’t need to be with anyone to fulfill her or anything.”

“She’s very independent.”

“Mostly, I’m single because I like to be. I like my freedom. I like not being tied down. I like not having to answer to anyone. And my mother showed me that I don’tneedto be in a relationship to be happy.”

Rayne nodded in understanding.

“So, I’m not afraid of commitment. I’m more afraid of someone getting the wrong idea about what I want. Because my mom also taught me to treat people with respect and not give false promises, so that’s what I try to do.” I sighed. “I know I’m blunt sometimes, but it’s better to be a little offended by someone you just met than get hurt by someone you’ve developed feelings for.”

“So mature of you.”

I snickered. “I also don’t like drama, so there’s that.”

“Ah, there’s the rake we all know and love.”

“Rake?”

“It’s an old-fashioned term.”

“What does it mean?”

“It’s a nice way of saying manslut.”

Grabbing her hand, I yanked her over to me. “Well, this manslut wants to take a shower with you.”

“I suppose I can fit that into my schedule,” she said with a grin.

TWENTY-FIVE

RAYNE

A car pulledup next to mine in Vivian and Dominick’s apartment complex parking lot, and I waved at Delaney. Since we only knew the host and hostess and each other, we’d made plans to meet before going up to the party.

“Hey, girl,” I said after we both got out of our cars. “You look hot.”

She was wearing an off-the-shoulder green sweater and stylish jeans.

She rolled her eyes, but I could tell she liked my compliment. “Thanks. You never know; I might meet my future husband here.”

I laughed. “For some reason, I thought you never wanted to get married again.”

“I’m not in a rush, but I don’t want to be alone forever.” She eyed me up and down and smiled. “Someone else looks hot tonight.”

Pretending to hold a fake skirt, I curtsied. “Thank you.”

The invitation had said the dress code was casual and to wear green, so I’d opted for jeans, like Delaney, and a butterfly-sleeved blouse with a lace V-neck, showing a hint of cleavage.

I hadn’t thought it was too sexy for a St. Patrick’s Day party, but before I left Cade’s, he bent me over his couch to have sex one more time. He’d told me he wanted me to go to the party with his cum in me, just to make sure I didn’t hook up with anyone else.

It wasn’t going to happen, but I hadn’t stopped him. The strong feminist in me should have been horrified at his possessiveness, but I liked it. I told myself it was because it was temporary, but I had a feeling it was something I was going to be looking for in a future boyfriend.

Just not too possessive. If he thought he could control me, I’d dump his ass faster than I could say,Red flag.

We made our way up to Vivian’s floor. We didn’t need an apartment number to figure out which one was hers. Loud music could be heard through the door. I worried no one would hear us knock, but Delaney barely put her knuckles to the wood before it was pulled open to a smiling Dominick on the other side.

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