Page 99 of Score
“I see,” she says softly, eyes lowered. “So we’re just fucking each other and can fuck anyone else, too, is what you mean.”
Something violent whirs in my belly, an uprising I subdue. I want this. I want her, and that gut reaction is just… habit. I’ve done no-strings relationships, nonexclusive hookups, before. It’s never been a problem. It’s just unfortunate that I tried to make the woman I desire most an exception. We can have sex and that’s all and with other people, too.
“I just ask that you use protection,” I force the words out. “I mean, obviously, when we’re together, we will, too, but—”
“I’ve never had unprotected sex with any man but you.” She looks up then, her chin tilted in defiance as if she dares me to call her a liar.
“Me neither. With a woman, I mean.”
She smirks with the sly humor only those closest to her usually get to see. “I’d be fine if you’re a little bi-curious, Monk. I’m not one of those girls who’s freaked out by a man in touch with the pleasures of his prostate.”
I sputter a laugh and shake my head. “No one’s ever been near my prostate. Not even me. I’d need turn-by-turn directions to even find it.”
“Now that’s a shame.” She lifts her brows in a taunt, in a dare. “Maybe we should add pegging to the list of things we explore.”
“Fine with me,” I say, not sure that itis, but not wanting to back down.
She sucks her teeth and rolls her eyes. “Yeah, right.”
“We’ll see who blinks first.” I chuckle. “So… we agree? If we do this, it would be casual and open?”
“Yeah.” The humor in her eyes and on her face fades to nothing. “Casual and open.”
“Let’s take Thanksgiving break to make sure we should do this, and if we both still feel this way when we get back…”
We fuck.
I don’t have to say the words aloud. We both know what it would be, but it’s so different from what we were back then.
“Sounds good,” she agrees with a decisive nod.
“Great,” I say. “So when do you fly out? I assume you’re headed to Georgia for Thanksgiving with the aunties.”
“They’ve already started preparing the feast. You headed to Virginia?”
“Yeah. I’ll see my mom, brother, and sister. The nephews and nieces.”
“You’re an uncle?” She gasps. “I had no idea.”
“Shrieva and Charlie both married pretty young and got down to business in the baby department. Being fruitful and multiplying.”
“Does everyone ask when you’ll settle down and have some kids?”
“Pffft. They know better than to put expectations on me. They’ll only be disappointed.” I run my hand over the thin comforter covering Dessi’s prop bed. “I’ll have kids when I’m ready.”
“It does usually take more than just one person,” she says wryly. “I notice you didn’t say ‘settle down.’ You may fool everyone else with thecynic thing, but that happy ending you always wanted is still in there somewhere. I know you, Monk.”
“Youknewme,” I remind her. “Things change.”
We stare at each other for a few seconds, and I reassess her, sizing up this new version in front of me. I already know she tastes the same, feels as good as she ever did, but shehaschanged. So have I, and maybe we won’t know how much until after Thanksgiving.
“So… how’s your dad?” she asks. Her tone implies how are thingswithyour dad. The last she knew, he and I were completely estranged.
“Eh.” I shrug with deliberate nonchalance. “We talk from time to time. It’s not perfect, but since my mom remarried, it’s gotten better.”
“Your mom remarried? Wow, that’s wonderful.”
“Yeah. Ray’s a great guy.” I snort. “I would have bet my dad would be the one to get hitched again since he had a girlfriend before the ink was dry, but he never has. He’s the same. A little older. Little fatter. More stubborn than ever.”
