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CHAPTER 22
Evie
“Have you ever used your barter system for sexual favors?” Merrick was propped up on one elbow, tracing the outline of my areola.
I laughed. “Can’t say that I have.”
“Good answer. I can’t wait to be the first.”
“How do you know you have something I want?” I teased. “I don’t barter with just anyone, you know.”
He leaned down and brushed his lips with mine, keeping them there while he spoke. “Change your flight. I’ll spend the entire day showing you I have something you want.”
I made a pout face. “I wish I could. But I have appointments bright and early tomorrow.”
He made the sound a buzzer makes when you give a wrong answer. Bzzzzt. Then pinched my nipple.
“Owww!” I laughed. “That’s not a toy.”
“I disagree. But it wouldn’t be an issue if you gave the right answer, now would it?”
I ran my fingers through Merrick’s hair. “I wish I could stay. But it’s important to me that people learn to trust me, and keeping appointments is the first step toward that.”
He frowned.
I cupped his cheek. “You’re adorable when you sulk. But I think it’s even more important for me to keep my schedule now that we…you know.”
“Fucked?”
“I probably would have used a nicer word, but yeah.”
He went back to tracing my areola. “There’s no nicer word than fuck. You can use it when you’re pissed off, happy, or to describe my new favorite hobby. Tell me another word in the English language that is so diverse.”
“Okay, but…this does complicate things. If, you know, this becomes more than a one-time thing.”
Merrick’s finger froze. “What do you mean?”
“Well, last night just sort of happened. We didn’t talk about it, so…” I shrugged. “I don’t know. It doesn’t have to be more than it was.”
“Are you saying that’s what you want?”
I shook my head. “No, I just…didn’t want to make you feel like there were any expectations or anything.”
His mouth flattened to a grim line. “I expect it wasn’t a one-night stand. I’m not the one who’s been running from this, Evie.”
I looked away. “I guess I’m just trying to say I don’t expect anything of you.”
Merrick was quiet for a long time. “Evie, look at me.”
I did.
“I like you. A lot. Do I see potential pitfalls because you work at my company and we both have enough baggage to fill JFK?” He nodded. “Of course. I don’t even know if I’m capable of a normal relationship anymore, it’s been so long. But what I am sure of is that last night was not a one-night stand for me.”
My heart felt hopeful, which scared me more than a little. But I took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay. But could we talk about the office?”
“I’d rather celebrate our new understanding that last night was not a one-night-only thing with my head between your legs.” He shrugged. “But sure, let’s talk about the office.”
I laughed. “I’m being serious.”
