Page 161 of Terms of Exposure
Damien followed my gaze. Through the window, Sebastian gestured wildly while Candace covered her face with both hands—shoulders shaking with what had to be laughter.
"Disgustingly cute," Damien agreed.
"He's so nervous around her."
"He's been nervous around her since the hospital." Damien shook his head, something fond and exasperated in his expression. "Mom said he changed shirts four times before Candace arrived. Four."
I snorted. "He was wearing a hoodie."
"Exactly. Ma' told me the whole story. He put on a button-down first. Then decided it wastrying too hard. Then a polo. Then back to the button-down. Then the hoodie, because—and I quote—'it's casual but still shows I care about my appearance.'"
"Oh my god."
"He also cornered me in the bathroom asking if his hair looked stupid. Twice."
I pressed my hand to my mouth, giggles escaping between my fingers. "That's... that's adorable."
"It's pathetic."
"It's you," I said, voice still shaking. "That's exactly what you do."
Damien went still. A flush crept up his neck.
"I don't change shirts four times."
"No, you just rehearse conversation topics in the shower and pretend you came up with them spontaneously."
His jaw dropped. "How do you—"
"Ava loves to talk shit." I grinned.
The flush deepened. Spread tohis ears.
I leaned across the console to press a kiss to his cheek. "Now, take me home."
He shot me a look as he started the engine. "What did I tell you about giving me orders?"
I held up a finger. "That's rules. I'm not allowed to make rules for you. You said nothing about giving orders."
"Oh, love," he sighed, shaking his head. "What am I going to do with you?"
A wicked smile curved my mouth as ideas flooded my mind. "Speaking of that..." I looked up at him through my lashes. "I've been meaning to request something."
"Request?" He considered the word, rolling it around like wine on his tongue. "I like that much more than order or rule. What did you have in mind?"
"Remember at the club?" I said, voice threaded with embarrassment. "Remember that woman in the ropes?"
"The couple doing shibari?"
I nodded, looking away. "I've been wondering..."
He angled his head, eyes darkening. "Are you asking me what I think you are?"
My pulse spiked. "Maybe…"
"Oh, love." His smile grew hungry, gaze raking over my body. "Do you know how many times I've envisioned you in my ropes?" He leaned closer, voice dropping. "The things I would do to you?"
I squirmed in my seat at the intent in his gaze, the promise that echoed through the car.
