I’m giggling as Sem looks down at my crotch and then meets my eyes.
“Tell me what you stole!” I say, reaching up to tickle him, but he just huffs.
“I’m not ticklish.”
“Impossible! Everyone’s ticklish.”
“I’m not,” he replies blandly as I try to find a place on his body that will make him squirm. But he just sits there stoically as my hands roam across his neck, under his arms, and then down toward his waist.
“Keep going, and you’ll end up on your back,” Sem warns, but of course, I don’t listen.
Suddenly I’m flipped onto my back, my wrists restrained above my head while one of his hands slowly moves toward my side. I watch it lower in slow motion, and my heart beats quickly in my chest with the anticipation of what’s about to happen.
“Sem, don’t you dare. I will scream! Then you will be arrested. The cops will come and take you away. I’ll have to write to you in jail and send you an allowance for bags of Cheetos.” I’m squirming underneath him, but he’s trapped me with his muscular legs. “We’ll disturb van-people’s sex marathon. That’s not a nice thing to do, and I’m a very nice person! I won an award for that in elementary school! My mom still has it somewhere.”
“What the fuck are you talking about, Maggie? You’re trying to confuse me with all those words.”
“I swear, I’m not!” I giggle.
He seems to consider it and then shakes his head, “Nah, you asked for it,” Sem says, those fingers dangerously close to my skin.
“I didnotask for it. I’m the victim here. Don’t you dare tickle me. Please,” I plead with a huff of laughter, but Sem doesn’t listen.
Of course, he doesn’t.
CHAPTERSEVEN
SEM
Idrive us back to my RV, the sound of Maggie’s laugh ringing in my ears. I tickled him until he was nearly crying, and then I let him go because I’d taught him enough of a lesson. Not that he ever learns. He just loves to provoke me.
I glance over and see his small body curled up next to me, his eyes closed. I didn’t even ask if he wanted to stay the night with me. I just made the decision for us because I want him withmetonight. Inmybed. For as long as he’ll stay.
Because we both know he’s going to end up with Colin.
Perfect, fucking Colin.
Although to be fair, I had a chance to tell Maggie what I wanted. I could have asked him to call it off for me, but I just couldn’t do it. He deserves better than me. I’m not book-smart. Half the time, when Maggie prattles on about something he’s interested in, I just nod and wonder what the fuck he’s talking about.
Nah, he’s better off with someone who can understand all that shit. Someone smarter and more sophisticated than me. Someone he has more in common with.
And the other issue is that I’m not even really sure if I’m gay. Maybe I’m bisexual? I’ve always noticed that some other men were attractive, but not really in a sexual way. I never felt the urge to have sex with a man before. When I saw Maggie for the first time, though, it was like something just clicked in my brain. I wanted him. I needed him. What does that even mean? Where does that leave us?
I can’t keep fucking around with Maggie only to make him miserable in the end. He’d never truly be happy with me.
So, if he wants it, I’ll let him have a chance with Colin. Even though it makes me sick to my stomach.
Honestly, the thought of him with someone else…curled up against someone else…smiling at someone else makes me a bit ragey.
Goddammit.
I park the truck, and instead of walking to Maggie’s side, I just grab his hips and bring him right to me. He slides across the seat with a squeak, then he's in my arms, and I’m carrying him into the bedroom. I undress him slowly, letting my eyes take their fill. This may be one of the last times I can look at him like this.
“You okay?” he asks, his hands in my hair as I kneel before him, helping him out of his shorts. I want to kiss his skin and lick my way across his chest, but I don’t. That’s not what this is.
Right?
“Fine,” I say roughly and stand up quickly.