She moans low in her throat.
“Anyone ever touch you here before?” My voice is so low, I almost can’t hear it.
“No,” she admits, her voice just as low.
“I’m gonna make it mine.” The words leave me without thought. “Just letting you know.”
I stretch out beside her on the bed and she turns her head so she’s facing me. Her entire body is coated in a rosy flush, her sparkling eyes meeting mine and I kiss her, forgetting all about her earlier morning breath complaints.
Joanna pulls away quickly. “I’m sure I taste awful.”
“Jo Jo.” I cup her cheek, staring at her like a lovestruck fool. I can feel how dopey I look, and I just don’t give a damn. “You could never.”
TWENTY-NINE
JOANNA
“Okay, I’m sick of this.”
I jump when Leon slams a stack of books on the counter, my head whipping toward him. He’s standing right next to me, a dark scowl on his face, and I angle my body more toward his, concerned.
“What’s wrong?” I haven’t worked as much as usual at the bookstore, so I don’t know what’s going on around here like I normally do. And that’s only because I’ve been busy with school and my tutoring job, though there is a natural slowdown at the store, thanks to being halfway through the semester.
Oh, and then there’s Knox.
It’s been a month since the first time we had actual sex and I’ve seen him on an almost daily basis. At first, we were sneaking around, trying not to get caught by Derek, but eventually, Knox couldn’t take it anymore.
“Fuck it, I lose. I lost a while ago, and I don’t care. I’m giving him the cash,” he’d told me one night after an extremely passionate encounter that involved the two of us in the shower until the water started running cold.
I didn’t even protest. Why would I? It was a total relief, Knox handing over that money and revealing that we’re…together. He claims none of his friends have really asked about me or what’s going on between us, but I have a hard time believing that. I let it go, though. I’m sure I’m overthinking it.
Typical behavior on my part, ugh.
Even with us constantly having sex, it’s not hurting his gameplay at all, and he’s doing well in school too. The tutoring sessions are working, and I gave him the login to my Audible account, so he can download whatever books he needs to read for class and he pays me via Venmo for the cost.
My mood has improved since spending all of my time with Knox. I’m happier. Maybe the happiest I’ve ever been, and sometimes that scares me, because what if it ends? What if he leaves me? I’m afraid I’ll be even more devastated than when Bryan and I broke up.
When we’re not busy, we spend every waking moment together. And not just having sex either. We go out to eat and we hang out with Cam and his other friends from the team. We hide away in his bedroom and try to watch movies or binge-watch a show, but he’s so distracting. Always kissing me, sliding his hands beneath my clothes.
I don’t say anything because I don’t want to jinx it, but it’s almost like he’s…
My boyfriend.
“You’re keeping secrets and I don’t like it.” Leon’s voice draws me from my Knox-induced daze and I note the stern look he’s sending my way. “Confess all, Jo Jo potato. I need to know what’s going on in your private life.”
I haven’t said much to Leon because I haven’t worked with him in a while. It does feel like forever since we’ve talked.
Gossiped.
“Nothing much,” I evade, like the giant liar I am. “I’m seeing Knox a lot.”
“During your tutoring sessions?” Leon’s eyebrows shoot up.
“Sure.” I shrug a shoulder.
His brows climb farther.
“And other times too,” I add. My cheeks now hot.