Page 70 of Until He Confesses

“Here's an idea,” he said. “You could just forget about the fact that I helped you out. You could take it to be a gift from a friend, that way we can both move on with our lives."

At his words, we stared at each other, and truly, I considered it, but ultimately, I knew that it wouldn't work. I'd have it over my head forever, and I couldn't have that. However, I still didn't have the guts to put forward the solution in my mind, so I rose to my feet.

“Mind if I take a shower?” I asked, and he nodded and leaned back into the chair.

“You don't want one?” I asked, and he looked at me, the invitation I hoped for as clear as day.

“I just had one,” he said. “I went to the gym.”

“Ah,” I replied and nodded, but I didn't leave.

He smiled.

“Are you inviting me to join you?”

“What if I am?” I asked, and he studied me.

“Is this your way of paying me back?”

I couldn't outrightly respond to this.

“What if it is?” I asked, and his grin grew wider.

“It wouldn't be accepted. If you are going to pay me in this way, then it is going to take more than one measly shower.”

“Measly?” my eyes widened.

“Yes, measly,” he said, and I tried not to get offended.

“It'll be worth your time,” I said, and he smiled.

“Of course, it will be, but it won't be worth what you're trying to pay for.”

I shifted my weight from one leg to the other and folded my arms across my chest.

“So what exactly would be worth what I'm trying to pay for?”

He didn't miss a beat.

“Several of those,” he said. “And a lot more.”

Whatever trace of amusement I had on my face completely disappeared.

“You're not kidding, are you?” I asked, and he nodded.

“I'm not. You know I want you, so I'll take you any way I can.”

“That makes me... putting it in this way doesn't make me feel very good,” I said, and he smiled.

“I told you I don't do casual relationships, so even this suggestion alone is quite uncomfortable for me."

“There's no need for it to be,” he said. “This will be an equal exchange. You will be getting an equally satisfying experience, and this is not exactly a casual relationship. I'm not a stranger.”

I smiled.

"Your way of defining a casual relationship is quite loose," I said, and he nodded.

"Perhaps, but this is just the way I see it."