He doesn’t want to touch me, and it’s the same for me.
“What?”
“Come here,” he repeats, slapping his lap.
“I’m not sitting on your lap.”
He pats the cushion beside him on the sofa. “Come here.”
“You’re being weird,” I say, but I rise up, pressing down the recliner and walk toward him.
“Just lie down.” He shifts his weight until he’s sitting at one end.
“I’m not tired.”
“This isn’t about sleeping.”
I grow wary but settle on the couch anyway with my head in his lap.
“See? Nice, right?”
His fingers run through my hair a couple times before he rests his hand over my stomach. His touch is comforting, as far from sexual as it can be, and I know that’s his full intention.
“Now tell me what’s bothering you.”
“I want to be alone.”
“No, you don’t.”
“I want some privacy.”
“Go to your room and shut the door. I won’t bother you.”
“Yes, you will.”
“Only if you disappear for hours without getting a snack or something to eat.”
“I’m a grown woman,” I argue.
“I’m well aware how grown you are.” His fingers flex on my lower belly, and it makes my mind race back to the night we were together.
Only I don’t picture Jinx in that scenario any longer. My memories have somehow blocked him out and all I can see is the look of pure bliss on Rocker’s face when he shoved inside of me. The way he bit his lip to fight the moan. The way his hips rolled in a circle several times as he just let the sensation of my body take over his. His fingers on the side of my face. The way he licked into my mouth with such ferocity, even thinking about it now makes me blush.
“Quit squirming.”
I freeze, my eyes popping open.
“Are you horny?”
“Not for you,” I whisper.
We don’t talk about Rocker. He’s like the elephant in the room we refuse to discuss. Jinx doesn’t seem agitated that I’m missing him, but he doesn’t bring him up or urge me to seek him out either.
Jinx’s chuckle shakes me on his lap, and it makes me want to pinch his thigh in retaliation.
“Okay.” He pushes against my back. “Get up.”
My eyes dart to the front of his jeans because I’m unable to resist seeing if he’s projecting himself on me, but all I can see is his normal bulge there. It’s honestly a relief. His being here all the time for the baby growing inside of me rather than me personally is already awkward. Having to turn him down would be embarrassing for both of us.
“Let’s go.”
He stands from the couch, and all I can do is glare up at him.
“You’re the one who wanted me to lay on your lap,” I remind him.
“And I thought it would help settle your mind. We’re going out.”
“I don’t want to go out. It’s hot as hell out there.”
“And the vehicle has A/C. I’ll go cool it down while you change.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “And exactly what is wrong with what I’m wearing.”
“You know I don’t want a relationship with you, but—”
“Are you delusional? I’m not fucking hitting on you.”
“—but you’ll need a bra on if you want me to stop staring at those perfect fucking tits of yours. There’s no way you can go out like that. I’d have to kick every man’s ass that walks past you.”
I tilt my head slightly.
“What?” He holds his hands out. “I’m a fucking man, and I know exactly what those tits look like bare.”
I grin. “Are you having a hard time resisting me?”
It’s a joke, and I can tell by the frustrated look on his face that he knows it too.
“At least brush your hair,” he says before laughing and walking out of the apartment.
I consider staying on the couch. Hell, I’m minutes away from calling a locksmith and having them change the damn locks, but honestly, I’ve been holed up in this apartment nearly every second that I’m not working and it’s starting to get to me.
I sigh again, wasting the sound in the empty apartment and head to my bathroom. Out of spite, I redo my hair, making it messier than it was before. I do change shirts but forego the damn bra. Men not being able to control themselves isn’t my problem. I don’t give a shit what the majority of society thinks.
Jinx grins, shaking his head as if he knew exactly what I’d do as I walk toward the vehicle. Just as he promised, cool air blows from the vents, quickly drying the sheen