Page 194 of The Storm

I give a belated nod and put on an equally belated smile. “Can’t leave the boss starving.”

We look at each other. Get stuck in looking at each other.

What are you thinking?

I’m not going to ask.

Was this a one-time thing?

Definitely not asking that.

I watch him get dressed and trail him to the hallway in nothing but a pair of shorts I grabbed on my way out of my room.

We stand awkwardly in front of my door. What do I say? Thanks for the sex? Come again? Please do. Anytime. Anywhere.

It’s altogether pathetic to be like this, but I don’t have it in me to care. I’ll take scraps. I’ll take whatever.

It will hurt in the end, but here I am, begging him to hurt me.

He puts his sneakers on and stands up. Once again, we’re too close to each other.

His gaze is so intense that the familiar electricity in my spine is back.

“You know where I live, Blue,” he says quietly.

Is that an invitation? An offer? Of what?

I don’t want to hope, but my heart doesn’t get the message. It jumps in my chest and the steady beats turn to uneven slams.

I nod.

He nods too, then he grabs the back of my head and drags my lips to his for a quick, harsh kiss.

And then he’s gone.

FIFTY-EIGHT

INDY

I wonderwhat it’s like to have willpower.

Because I have none.

He buzzes me in late at night and when I’ve made my way up the stairs, he’s already waiting for me.

We don’t speak.

He attacks me with his mouth.

He drags me inside.

We undress in a rush, clothes littering the floor like breadcrumbs throughout the apartment.

He fucks me in his bed, and I sneak out a few hours later.

And I tell myself this was enough.

I will get myself some of that self-control now.