Page 133 of Payoff Pitch
She swallows. “In an ideal world, no. In the world we live in, yes. It’s all I can handle. I have to protect myself as best I can. And this is what you said you wanted, right? So it shouldn’t matter to you.”
I’m silent, feeling so conflicted about it. Of course I want her, but like this? Then I think about what I’ve put her through. How could I possibly ask her for more?
I whisper, “Okay.”
She nods and pats my chest. “Great. I’ll be in touch. Thanks for tonight. It’s just what I needed. I’ll see you when I’m back on duty with Harper.”
What. The. Hell. Just. Happened?
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
FOUR MONTHS LATER
BAILEY
Iwalk out of my room in the morning to Kam sitting in the same spot on the couch where I left her last night, still with her head buried in her laptop.
“Did you sleep?”
“Meh. I wasn’t tired. I’ll catch a few hours tonight.”
I shake my head. “I don’t know how you function. What are you always doing on your laptop?”
She shuts it. “Nothing. However, I did learn that female snakes have a clitoris. Isn’t that shocking?”
“I can’t say I’ve ever put any thought into that topic.”
She smiles as she nods. “I have and they do. Now you know.”
“I’m sure it will come in super handy should the need ever arise for me to help a snake get off.”
She laughs, realizing the absurdity of it.
“You should save that for one of Quincy’s random facts. I promise you no one else thought to research that topic.”
She shrugs. “I’m a wealth of useless knowledge. You know that. I always come up with something interesting when I’m the last to arrive.”
“I know you do. The depths of your brain will be studied in a scientific lab one day.”
“Probably.”
I point to her bedroom. “Go get dressed. Let’s grab a quick breakfast at the diner before practice. I’m jonesing for their blueberry pancakes.”
Her face lights up. “With a side of pineapples?” I nod. “Sounds like a plan. Give me five.”
I’m waiting for her when my text tone pings. I look down at my phone and smile.
Tanner: Fuck buddy isn’t feeling very fucked lately.
For the past few months, Tanner and I have managed the whole fuck buddy thing. I’ve channeled my inner Kamryn and am happily in a purely sexual relationship.
We meet at his office, our cars, kitchen tables, bathrooms, stairwells, and we even once did it in his garage when he got his new sports car because it’s the hottest car ever and I couldn’t wait another second for him to be inside me.
Me: Been busy. I’ll stop by Daddy’s office after practice.
Tanner: Such a good girl. I’ll be waiting.
Kam walks back out. “What are you smiling at?”