Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 87856 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87856 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
"It's okay." It might be something in the water. Or the air. I already feel freer, less in my head. Or maybe that's Patrick's presence. "I'm not too into green guys."
"I wouldn't think. Not his MO. Not like this anyway. I don't know the rest. I, uh, I'll stop before I'm in too deep."
"I think you're past that point," I say.
She laughs. "Well, if I'm gonna get wet, I might as well—"
"Get laid?" Patrick meets us at the counter.
"You could hear that, huh?" she asks.
"You asking about my sex life, yeah. I heard that," he says.
"No. I'm asking Imogen. She's interesting. You're…"
"We are exclusive," he says.
"But I'm sure she's been with people before you. Unless—" she turns to me—"It's totally cool if you haven't. I don't anti-slut shame."
"I have," I say.
"See." Luna turns back to me. "Who was the best? You know, leaving Patrick out."
"That doesn't seem fair," Patrick says.
"I specifically don't want to hear about you," Luna says.
"I don't have any great stories. Sorry," I say.
"Really? Nothing juicy. Even a little? My boyfriend is still out of town," she says.
"You are extra thirsty," Patrick says.
She flips him off.
"Well, my ex, my only serious ex… we had some pretty emotional sex before he went abroad. I knew it was the last time and I thought he did too. But he wanted to try long-distance and I didn't," I say.
"Emotional how? Was it intense? That connection you feel in your soul?" Luna asks.
No. I was relieved. "It was kind of like… I could be more selfish, knowing it was the end. I could take only what I wanted."
"I love a greedy woman," Patrick says.
Luna holds out her hand stop. "Tricky, it's not about you. I know that's a hard concept."
He scratches his head, playing dumb.
"It's okay. I'm teasing him 'cause I know how much he likes you." She shoots him a knowing look.
He returns one that says don't overstep. "If you're done attempting to extract free audio porn from my girl."
"No. I'm not done," Luna says. "I have way more questions."
"You're done." Patrick wraps his arms around me and pulls me into a tight hug. "Hey."
"Hey."
"You look good." He presses his lips to mine. "Hot as fuck."
"You too," I say.
"Give me five to finish. And let me know if Luna keeps asking intrusive questions. I'll have the other guys cut her off." He kisses me again. Then he pulls back and takes his customer through checkout and after care speech and walks him to the door.
"The other guys?" I ask.
"There might be a lot of free audio porn," she says.
"Free is free."
She nods right. "I told Tricky you're smart and cute and way too good for him, so he should hold on to it, but he's not that bright."
"We're just having fun," I say.
"Fun is good. As long as you come Saturday. Please. Otherwise, I'll have to hear Lithium twenty-five times."
"That is hard," I say.
"And it will be really low-key. Mostly people from the shop. Barely any alcohol. The guys here do talk about sex, a lot, but they mostly gossip and pontificate on art. Including Kurt Cobain's brilliance." She sticks out her tongue.
I don't go to parties, normally, but this doesn't sound too bad. "I'll see what I can do."
Patrick returns to the desk, finished. "Are you messing with her?"
"Inviting her to a party," she says.
"Generous," he says.
"No," she says. "I already want Imogen to myself too. She's way more interesting than you are."
"You didn't invite me to this party," he says.
"Hmm. Must be an oversight. Don't worry. Your girl has a plus-one," she says.
"You wanna go?" Patrick asks.
"Please," I say.
"To the party?" he asks.
"If we can have sex first," I whisper.
"No. After," he whispers back. "Now. Do you want to get dinner? Or do you want to go back to my place?"
"Is that even a question?"
Chapter Sixteen
PATRICK
Is that even a question?
Imogen's voice echoes through my head as we walk down Main Street. I barely notice the hip restaurants, the string lights, the mix of tourists and locals.
I want her so badly I can't think. It's ridiculous.
She stops in front of a French restaurant and studies the yellow glow of the lights. "I have no idea what kind of food you like."
"You know I like chai," I say.
"Who wouldn't like my chai?" Her lips curl into a small smile. It lights up her gorgeous face. It makes my heart thud against my chest and my stomach do flip-flops.
She's beautiful. She really is.
"Are you okay?" She tilts her head to one side. "Don't tell me you're still drained?"
"Huh?" I ask.
"From Sunday," she says.
"Sore, but not drained," I say.
"Yeah." Her smile widens. "Where?"
"Are you gonna rub it better?" It's easy, keeping this to sex. It's what I do. I hide from heaviness.
"Here? On the street?" Desire flares in her eyes.
"Behind the restaurant." I nod to the French bistro.