It seemed like a silly question compared to what I actually felt when I thought of him. He excited me. He fascinated me. And he seemed to make me feel happier and more alive than I’d ever been. Saying I liked him felt like a disservice, but I wasn’t sure how else to explain it.
“Very much so.”
“What’s he like in bed?”
I narrowed my eyes on her.
She laughed. “Fine. We’ll talk about those details later. Are you ready for every woman from ages thirteen to ninety-two to be drooling all over your man?”
“As long as they keep their hands to themselves.”
“What about him? Can you wrangle fidelity from him?”
The thought of him sleeping with someone else made me feel nauseous. Though, somehow, I didn’t believe he would. I’d known him for a long time and had never once pegged him for a cheater.
“I think so.”
“So far, I’d say he’s not a bad choice. But truthfully, I’ve only been humoring you. The man has already made his decision, and that’s you, honey. Now, you just have to make the best of it.”
I chewed my lip on the short drive home, debating what I should say to him. I debated how I felt about his manipulation and if I was even upset about it. I wasn’t sure what to feel, and that annoyed me.
As soon as his apartment door closed behind us, I blurted, “What do you want from me, Christian?”
He turned to me, eyes dark. “Everything.”
A shiver trailed down my spine. “This was never about sex.”
He reached for his belt and unfastened it, sardonic amusement passing through his gaze. “No.”
“You played me,” I accused.
“Yes.”
“Do you feel bad?”
“No.”
I watched warily as he slid his belt out of the loops. Unease played down my back.
“What are you doing with your belt?”
An amused half-smile. “Debating if I need to whip you into submission.”
“Ha ha.” My voice was uncertain. “But really?”
“I’m getting undressed and then taking you to bed.”
“I’m not finished talking.” I crossed my arms. “You tricked me.”
“Do I make you unhappy?”
I swallowed, shifting to another foot. “No.”
“Then, shut up and come to bed with me.”
My eyes narrowed. “I don’t trust you.”
“I can fix that.”