Page 70 of Fate In Fiction

The clock reads three, and there is no way I’ll be able to fall asleep after I have a shower. Tomorrow is my last day at work before we leave, and my mental clarity needs to stay sharp. My head shouldn’t be filled with thoughts about Josie. What we have been doing is fun, but it’s not necessary. Each intimate interaction is another chance she might fall––which wasn’t part of her plan of taking off and sleeping her way through Europe. But fuck, no guy deserves to see her like this. What if they can’t treat her right? Terrible sex is something this goddess doesn’t deserve.

Fuck, Emmett. It’s now that I know I’m breaking our rules.

“Earth to Emmett.” Josie gently taps the sides of my face. “Don’t tell me being fucked into oblivion is a real thing.”

“You’re too innocent looking to swear.” I clear my throat and swallow the lump forming.

“I bet I looked real innocent bent over the counter as you slapped my pussy with a spatula.” The image reappears in my mind, and I lift her off of me.

“Josie, we can’t keep doing this.” Her mouth opens and closes to let me continue. “Our deal was to hold hands or act attracted to each other in the public eye when needed. While this has been fun, I don’t want you getting attached.”

“Me, or you?” She stands, straightening her shoulders as she pulls at her tank top to cover herself. “I’m trying to learn, so I don’t look like an idiot the next time I hook up with someone.”

“Trust me, you know what you’re doing.” Her confidence far surpasses my hookups. She controlled the entire fucking show tonight.

“So, no more orgasms?” Her arms cross as her head tilts to the side.

“Not from me. I’m trying to do the right thing and not toy around with you.” I sigh. “You deserve more respect from guys.” I pause with slight regret as to what I’m about to say. “Look, nobody in Miami knows you. Try to flirt with someone if you need some validation.”

“Maybe they’ll fuck me while you’re in your conference and not feel the need to talk about their feelings after too.” She storms into her bedroom, then a second later, huffs as she remembers to use the bathroom.

Shit. The thought of any other man experiencing what I just did with Josie leaves me sick. But… she’s not mine to keep.

JOSIE

“You look way more inviting than this conference.” Emmett fixes his cufflinks as his eyes trail over my pale skin.

Actions speak louder. I roll my eyes and keep quiet. We haven’t brought up our conversation since he called us off the other night, and I’ve been short with him ever since. But it’s also given me time to realize he’s scared. So scared that he feels something for me that he’s trying to pawn me off on someone else. The thought of me being touched by another man even prior to us sleeping together sent him into a jealous spiral. Which is how we ended up giving in to the tension in the first place.

“Wearing this modest thing?” I present my simple one-piece bathing suit. My pale skin could use more sun exposure, but I’ve never been one to show off my stomach.

“It beats your knee-high socks.” He chuckles and gives himself a once-over in the penthouse suite’s full-length mirror. If I can read him correctly, his vulnerability is being masked by the trained playboy exterior of his old self. As if letting me go is doing me a favor. With time and my patience, why couldn’t we try to see where we could go?

“You never had a problem jumping at the opportunity to have them wrapped around your neck.” I wink, trying to remind him what he’s giving up, and pick up my “legit porn on paper,” as Emmett calls it. I saunter past him with a purposeful sway to unpack my sundress.

My mind doesn’t process how I’m now against the wall until my skin meets the coolness of it. Emmett’s hard length presses into my stomach as his eyes darken. He’s been adamant about his restraint, as if trying to prove how sex will always be meaningless. But I saw the thickness pushing against his pants as we boarded the plane to Miami. Flying coach didn’t give me hope for suggesting he initiate me into the mile high club. Not that he would have jumped at the chance.

My stomach flips, wanting to feel him push into me again. But wearing this one piece, I feel anything but tempting. I glance at our bodies in the mirror. Making a bold move, I straighten to my full height and tilt my chin up. My hand with the book lifts as I tap his ass, and it pushes his erection further against me. His jaw tightens as he goes to war with acting on impulse or staying true to his word. Does he seriously think I’m going to run off with another guy just because no one knows who I am here?

“What are you thinking about, little darlin’?” This man needs to make up his damn mind about what I know he wants.

“I want to watch you fuck me in that mirror,” I breathe, hoping it’s enough to make him snap.

“This needs to stay friendly.” But he doesn’t back away. “Nothing more than that.”

“Right now, it’s nothing more than tension because you’re acting like a scared pussy and won’t make another move.”

“Watch that mouth of yours,” he warns, as his eyes darken.

“As if you’re bold enough to make me shut it.” I cock my head to the side with a challenging smirk and glance at the stove clock. “Arriving late is unprofessional, Rookie.” I don’t look away, but I know I’m too responsible of a person to allow him to miss the beginning of the conference just for an orgasm. “Splash some cold water on your dick and get down to the conference hall.”

“Jesus, Josephine.” He backs away with a rough swallow and shakes his head. “I guess I got you all worked up to go and find someone to help take care of that.”

“And here I thought you cared for my well-being.” My arms cross, masking my hurt tone fails.

“I do.”

“You freaked when those drunk guys were hitting on me, and now, you’re sending me out and about in Miami full of drunk college guys?” With an eye roll, I put on my sundress, throw my hair into a messy bun, and grab my large sunglasses. “I guess you’re protective when it’s all for show. Where is the guy who evolved from his thirteen-year-old self?