Page 16 of Sex Positive

“It came out wrong.”

Charlie looks at him, deadpan. “Sure it did.”

“He’s not a woman-hating incel.”

“I never said he was,” she replies.

“But you implied it.” He gestures to her. “With your face.”

She shoots him a glare. “Weren’t you leaving?”

Wes sighs, pushing himself to his feet. When he doesn’t leave, Charlie glances at him. He watches her, unsmiling, a wrinkle between his brows.

“Something to share with the class?” she drawls.

“Are you ever going to tell me the real reason why you told Hudson we slept together?”

Her stomach drops, surprise rippling through her, something Wes notices because he leans across the table.

“Are you trying to date him?” He grimaces. “Of all the students here, you want to datehim?”

“Notdate,” she snaps. “I want to havesexwith him.”

The words are out of her mouth before she can stop them. She doesn’t clarify that she actually no longer wants this.

After all this time, how does Wes manage to pull things from her so easily, effortlessly goading her into a confession?

But Wes looks like she slapped him. He shakes his head, running a hand through his hair. “You can’t fuck Nash Hudson.”

Charlie scoffs. “Says who?”

His eyes flash. “Me. What, did he ask for an itemized list of guys you’ve slept with?”

When Charlie doesn’t respond, he laughs, but it rings hollow in the quiet of the library. He lets out a soft, humorless chuckle. “He’s unbelievable.”

“Drop it, Quinn.” She stands, mirroring his stance, leaning far enough over the table that their faces hover inches apart. He’s so close, she spots the flecks of light brown surrounding his irises, his eyes not fully green. “It was a mistake to say anything. Forget you ever heard it.”

Annoyance flickers across his face, his gaze narrowing. “Fine.” Pushing off his palms, he straightens. “But can I give you some advice?”

Charlie laughs at the audacity of this man thinking he can tell her what to do. “Ofcourse.Pleaseenlighten me. I love unsolicited advice from men.”

He stares at her long enough that she shifts on her heels. “You’re a real pill sometimes, you know that?”

He’s baiting her, as usual. As he has for three years now. But she’s grown used to their verbal tennis matches. They’ve been at odds with one another since the day she put up her walls and cut him out of her life, compartmentalizing her feelings in order to keep him at a distance.

Planting her hands on her hips, Charlie scowls. “You know me. Bitter and hard to swallow.”

He rolls his eyes. “I know you won’t take what I say seriously, but don’t sleep with Nash Hudson. If you’re trying to have sex, you deserve someone a thousand times better than him. He treats women like they owe him something, never lets them spend the night, and doesn’t even call them a ride after.” Wes releases a tense laugh. “And don’t even get mestartedon the private photos he casually flashes around. You really think someone likethatwill pay any attention to your pleasure?”

Charlie’s skin burns at his words, at the sudden thought of someone besides her own fingers and vibrator bringing her pleasure.

She already knows these things about Nash. But she’s not about to admit that to Wes.

He looks away, clenching his jaw. His ears are red, his cheeks tinged pink, and he shakes his head before looking at her again.

“Look, I promise I’ll drop it, okay?” He raises his hands in supplication, backing away from her table. “I’m only trying to help someone I once considered a friend.”

He leaves her in stunned silence to sift through this last statement.