Page 134 of Statler

“I am. It was the only ending that would have kept Petula safe for the rest of her life.” She leaned up and gave him her most earnest stare. “You did that for her. You and Julian. And you should be proud. Then,” she added, “you did the same for me.”

Statler’s whole body relaxed beside her.

“You’re…sure you don’t think I’m a…bad person.”

“Absolutely not.” Eliza took his face between her hands. “If you’re bad person, then so am I. Which means we’re a perfect match.”

“We…are, aren’t we,” he attempted.

“Yes, and it’s high time you realized it,” Eliza scolded. “Now what are you going to do about it?”

Statler tried valiantly to attempt a bit of lightness. “Is it possible you might want to come back to my place near Bangor and, uh…” he waggled an eyebrow, “…cohabitate?”

Eliza actually giggled at his out-of-the-blue question, and mimicked his brow-dance. “Don’t you think we should find out if we’re, uh, compatible first?” she mimicked.

If her next move didn’t distract Statler from his introspection, Eliza knew nothing would.

She offered up the condom again, waving it once again in front of his face.

He looked at it and his mouth twitched.

“I don’t know.” His mouth twitched. “I might be too wrung out to move right now,” he told her as straight-facedly as possible.

Eliza wasn’t sure what he was up to with that statement, but if Statler wanted to play coy, she was willing to take the upper hand.

Propping herself aside to lean on one elbow, she glanced down at the front of his jeans. The burgeoning interest she saw there, gave her courage.

“You might be too wrung out to move, but there’s a certain part of you that’s definitely more than willing.”

“Ignore him,” Statler moued. “He’s always been a bit of an overachiever in the mornings. For myself? I’m actually so worn out I don’t think I could move any other muscle.”

Eliza finally got it.

She leaned over and planted a kiss firmly on Statler’s mouth before drawing back and looking him straight in the eye. “You’re letting me take charge, aren’t you?” she posed.

He didn’t prevaricate.

“Uh, huh. I blew it once, a few hours ago. I took certain…decisions out of your hands. So this is me offering a do-over.”

Eliza was intrigued.

In the few years she’d been with Holden, he’d always called the shots on everything. Even in bed. Not that she hadn’t been satisfied with their sexual encounters…mostly, but she’d certainly never been given free rein to explore.

“You mean,” she clarified, clearing her throat, “that I can do anything I want to you?”

Statler laughed. “Within reason, and with one nonnegotiable caveat.”

Eliza didn’t hesitate to answer. “Anything.”

“I don’t like to be tickled,” he revealed.

She nodded earnestly, but part of her was still feeling cheeky. She held her pinky out for her promise. Statler took it with equal tongue-in-cheek solemnity.

“Other than that,” he concluded after their gesture was complete, “I’m all yours.

Eliza placed the condom on the blanket where it would be readily available, and sat up.

The first thing she did was to take off her jacket—which she no longer needed due to the heat of the sun—then without trying to overthink things, she drew her jersey top, up and over her head.