Page 68 of Tempt

I didn’t plan for it to go that far, but when she told me she wanted me to kiss her, to touch her, something primal in me took over.

If I thought it would get her out of my system, I was wrong.

Kat’s made it clear she’s not looking for anything serious.

Neither am I.

I’ve never been the guy to have casual hookups. I never got the appeal.

Maybe I’m starting to understand.

But my first priority is getting through this process and securing my future. Andy’s future.

Which is why I make a call I really don’t want to make.

When I click off, I hope to hell I’ve done the right thing.

20

KAT

“Kat, I finished working on my dance solo. Want to see?”

Andy twirls around the living room and I smile, applauding once he’s done.

“That’s great. Do you have everything for tonight? Your shoes?”

“I need my ballet shoes! I haven’t seen Grandma and Grandpa in forever!”

He runs to his room to get them.

“What are your plans for your big night off?” I ask Daniel as he paces into the kitchen. In a dark V-neck sweater that hugs his body over indigo jeans, he looks like a distracted Ralph Lauren ad.

“I’ll be in my office finishing a presentation.”

Disappointment is a living thing in my chest.

I hoped he’d say,I’ll be on the couch in case you need another orgasm.

“What about you?” he asks.

I blow a piece of hair out of my face. “Library. I just got a B- on a midterm. While my prof said my transcripts looked fine, I also need to submit a personal statement. Which I haven’t cracked.”

The past few days, things between us have been in a holding pattern.

We still exchange the kind of looks I feel long after we’re in different rooms.

Once, we passed in the hallway and he grabbed my hand.

Another time in the kitchen, he came up behind me and kissed my neck. I turned my face toward his, but we were interrupted.

Whatever’s between us can’t compete with the urgency of his work or my school deadlines. They moved up the timing of Daniel’s big review, which means more pressure on him.

His eyes crinkle. “You’ll figure it out.”

I drum my fingers on my opposite arm. “You sound very self-assured.”

“They refuse to let you teach students until you sound like you know what you’re talking about.”

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