“Why would you do that?” I ask.
He smiles again, but doesn’t answer.
I stare right back at him. What he’s asking is ridiculous. If Aidan is an exception, I can keep dating him as long as I’d like. Maybe I will sleep with him. I can go on, happily seeing Aidan, while Ronan has to spend his nights alone.
Of course, the thought of staying with Aidan just to piss off Ronan makes me a little queasy. I absolutely hate to admit it, but Ronan is probably right. He’s a self-absorbed asshole, but he’s perceptive. And if I don’t stay with Aidan, do I really want to abide by Ronan’s terms? Not date anyone else?
I’m sure he’ll be the one to cave, and then our little agreement will be over. I don’t think a man like Ronan goes very long without a woman in his bed. How long can he hold out? A week? A month? Maybe I should agree to this, just to watch him squirm. I can walk by his office every day, knowing he’s not getting laid. That might be worth a no-dating spell, just to see it play out.
“Fine,” I say. “No dating other people. But if you cave, that part of the deal is off.”
“I won’t,” he says. “And if you do, no more ground rules.”
“All right.” I reach out a hand and he takes it. “Agreed.”
He sits back in his seat, his eyes never leaving mine. I’m clearly getting the better end of this deal, but somehow I can’t shake the feeling that he has the upper hand.