My Rebound (On My Own #2) - Carrie Ann Ryan Page 0,36

for words.

Chapter 10

Mackenzie

The next morning, I opened my eyes and tried to remember exactly where I was. The room was unfamiliar, and it took me a moment to realize that I was still in Pacey’s bed. With Pacey right behind me, his arm around my waist, his naked body pressed against mine.

His very, very hard cock firm against my backside.

I stiffened, trying to calm my breathing so he wouldn’t know I was awake.

It was a lost cause.

“Good morning,” he whispered, kissing my bare shoulder.

I closed my eyes at the touch, squeezing my thighs together at the sensation of his lips on my skin. I’d never felt that before, and I didn’t know what I was supposed to do about it.

Was it always like this?

What had I been missing out on all these years?

“You’re probably freaking out a bit right now, so I’m going to speak, if that’s okay.”

I swallowed hard and nodded in his hold, hoping he could at least feel my answer since I couldn’t talk.

“Elise and Dillon spent the night here as well, and therefore know you’re here. They informed your roommates that you wouldn’t be home. I spoke with them briefly to make sure everyone was aware that you were safe, but I didn’t say anything else. For all they know, you slept on my couch after a long study session. However, they will probably guess the true nature of our evening. It is up to you what you tell them. I won’t lie, but I will evade and allude to what is needed for your peace of mind. Tanner and Miles most likely know you are here as your car is still parked out front, but they won’t bother you. What we did last night was perfectly normal, consensual. There’s no need for discussion by anyone outside of this bed. And when you are ready to speak about it, I will be down in the kitchen making breakfast. First, however, I’m going to shower.” He paused as my brain fought to catch up. “I had a wonderful time last night, Mackenzie. I know we need to talk, and we will before school. But I’m not sorry about what happened. I hope you know that.”

Then he kissed my shoulder again, leaving me breathless as he strolled naked past the end of the bed and toward the bathroom. I watched his muscles flex as he walked, and I once again lost my breath at the sight of him. He was…beautiful. All lean lines and muscles. He had a few scars that looked surgical, but I couldn’t tell what they were from at just a casual glance, nor could I learn their story from the feel of them under my fingertips. They weren’t mine to know anyway.

This was just…casual, was it not?

It didn’t need to be anything more than it was. I needed to keep reminding myself of that. I didn’t need to stress and make a big deal of any of this.

Only I knew I would stress and make a big deal of it all.

The shower turned on, and I lay there covered by his sheets, wrapped in his scent and the memories of what had happened the night before. I honestly hadn’t come here for this. I hadn’t thought, even as my rebound as he jokingly called himself, that we’d ever do this.

And yet…

And yet, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

I didn’t want regrets. I’d spent too much of my time living in regret already. I didn’t want to continue down that path.

Only I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do. What should I say?

Things with Sanders had been so different. We had been each other’s firsts. Young and inexperienced. And we had grown into one another and the sex we had together. It had been good, not great every time, but we’d had a rhythm.

Sex with Pacey was nothing like that.

The shower cut off, and Pacey walked out, a towel wrapped around his hips. He was still wet, and I swallowed hard, watching a droplet of water slowly pebble and run down his chest. He leaned over me, and I looked up at him, my eyes wide. He gave me a small smile and brushed my hair back from my face. “If you need to shower, I set out a towel for you. I’m afraid I don’t have any clothes that will fit you, but I can ask Elise—though she might be in class right now. We don’t have class ‘til the afternoon, but they