Page 46 of Reckless
2No expensive gifts.
3No solving my problems with money.
4No surprise touch in public unless necessary.
5No actual declarations of love or forever or soulmates or whatever insane thing his mother would eat alive.
6No jealousy scenes.
7No showing up at my apartment without permission.
8Hard stop after graduation weekend.
9If Britney asks me directly, I reserve the right not to lie to her face.
I looked at the list and felt slightly calmer.
When I closed my eyes I kept seeing myself break them all.If a woman came up to Xerses this weekend, I’d probably murder them both with my bare hands.
I slept badly again.
The next afternoon, I texted him the address and met him at a wine bar in Virgin Cove that tried very hard to look casual while still charging Manhattan prices.It had a back patio, low lighting, polished wood, and enough local respectability and most important neutral.
I got there ten minutes early on principle.
He was already there.
He looked up the second I stepped onto the patio.
His gaze landed and stayed on me.And the air changed from his attention and my chest and lower all went warm.
Damn.I wanted him.I walked straight to the table and set my bag down without smiling.“You’re early.”
“You’re later.”
“Of course you did.”
He rose enough to pull out the chair across from him.
“If you ever become old-fashioned on purpose, I will end you.”
One corner of his mouth moved.“I am hoping we move past bodily threats.”
I sat.
He sat.
The server appeared instantly.
“Can I get you anything?”she asked me.
“Water.”
Xerses looked at me.“No wine?”
“Not if I’m negotiating with the devil.”
“Don’t make her come back.”
