Page 56 of Sex Positive

She shoots him a glare and gestures to his half-graded practice test. “We’re supposed to be studying.”

“And I think we deserve a break,” he replies, offering her the bag of candy. “Twizzler?”

She scowls but accepts one. “Doyouthink youdeservea break?” She takes a bite.

Wes rips off a chunk of his own red candy with his teeth. “Yes. You did an excellent job tutoring me, as usual. Five stars.”

She sighs. “Quinn—”

“Rogers.”He shifts closer, leveling her with his gaze. “I promise I’ll be fine.” He lifts a hand to her hair, pulling on a loose curl, his fascination with her hair apparently endless. “You deserve a break, too, don’t you think?” He wraps it around his finger before letting go, his mouth softening into a knowing smile. “You’ve been jumpy from the moment you arrived.”

“I have not.”

“Oh?” He shifts to stand behind her, and her body thrums. “So I’m only imagining the way you’ve been refreshing theMale Perspectivefeed for the past two hours?”

Charlie presses her lips together, annoyed at his ability to notice details she thought she hid well. It’s infuriating.

“I’m nervous,” she admits. “You know the podcast dropped today.”

“I do. But that means that whatever happens is out of your control. You did everything you could, and now we can only wait for the response.”

She releases a frustrated groan, knowing what he said is true. “I hate not being in control.”

He laughs. “Truer words have never been said.” He leans closer, his breath caressing the skin at the nape of her neck. “Whathappenswhen Charlotte Rogers loses control?”

“Everyone dies,” she mutters. “Game over.”

She presses a finger to her temple. After listening to the podcast episode first thing that morning, she felt hopeful, for the most part: Theo aired the full discussion with Victoria, and Charlie could not be prouder of how confident and professional her boss sounded. After her incredible explanation of the benefit of sex toys in the bedroom, the episode did an excellent job highlighting the importance of keeping clinics like The Wild Rue open for all kinds of sexual and reproductive care.

But Charlie’s uncertainty persists. She’s not sure if it will be enough.

Wes rounds the table, coming to stand behind her, and she avoids looking at his bare chest.

“Rogers, I promise if anything changes in the next hour, you can spend all the time you want refreshing the comments section. But have you been able to relax at all today?”

“Right before I opened my eyes this morning.”

He laughs softly. “Even more reason to take a break.”

She glances at him in her periphery. “What did you have in mind?”

“What’s next on your list of experiments?” he purrs.

Even though he’s not touching her, she feels like all of her nerve endings are on fire. Why can’t she get hold of herself? Why does every touch, every minusculebrushof his fingers, melt her into a lusty puddle?

“Fingering,” she whispers.

“Is that something you’d like to try today?” His touch is a live wire as he brushes his fingertips along her neck and collarbone.

She swallows. And nods.

“Words, Rogers,” he whispers. “I won’t move forward until you give me the green light.”

“Yes,” she breathes.

His hands settle on her shoulders. She leans into him, the memory of the last time his mouth was on her skin rushing to the surface.

“Remember we’ll only go as far as you want,” he whispers. “This is all up to you.”