with you and I can’t stop thinking about you, so please come over for dinner tomorrow. I’ll cook.”
“So, you cook?” She grinned.
“I can cook. A few things. I’m not a gourmet chef or anything, but you won’t starve.”
“Can’t wait. Can I bring anything?”
“Nope. Just yourself. Do you work on Sunday?”
She shook her head, chewing another bite.
For some reason that pleased him. It shouldn’t. He had no business inviting her to sleep over or enter his bedroom. But that’s where his mind went anyway. “So it won’t matter if you’re out late.”
“No.” She balled up the wrapper and tossed it over the top of the phone, presumably toward the trash. When she winced and grabbed her arm, he chuckled.
“Sore muscles?”
“Please tell me you’re sore too. I mean, that was hard work. Next time you feel like throwing things, how about darts?”
He laughed. “I am sore too. Yes. Mostly because we used strange muscles.”
“That’s for sure.” She rubbed her arm. “I could use another one of those massages like you gave me last night.”
His cock jumped to attention. He’d love to give her another massage. He wished like hell she wasn’t halfway across the country right now. It was probably for the best. He needed one night to cool down after last night. But he also knew it wouldn’t help at all. As soon as she arrived at his place tomorrow, he would immediately want to pull her into his arms and kiss her senseless. Time was not going to dampen his desire to consume her.
Raeann looked away for a few moments before meeting his gaze again. “What are we doing, Deacon?”
“Talking on the phone?” He knew what she meant, but he couldn’t help responding snarkily.
She smiled at least. “You know what I mean. Seriously, Deacon. I’m worried. You make me want to break all the rules.”
“Maybe the rules need to be broken?” His heart rate picked up.
“We can’t be more than we are right now. I mean it. I don’t want more.”
“And, like I’ve said, we’re in agreement. So, let’s just enjoy one another because we like to spend time together, and not worry about the future right now.”
“Okay, but I’m worried you aren’t on the same page as me.”
“I can be on the same page. Promise.”
She rolled her eyes. “Like you can be friends with me? We failed at that in less than a day.”
“Okay, listen. Here’s the thing. I’ll be honest. I want you in my bed. I want to rock your world and show you what you’ve been missing out on. And I know that worries you, so let me be blunt. I can’t do more with you, Rae. It’s not possible right now. Shit is going down in my life that isn’t conducive to a serious relationship. So, if we happened to decide to have sex, you have no reason to panic. I won’t go all possessive on you because I just can’t.”
She stared at him for a while, chewing on her bottom lip. “You have very mysterious shit in your life.”
“Yes.”
“Is it at least legal?”
He chuckled. “Yes.”
“You’re not married, are you?”
He laughed harder. “God, no.”
“Is this about your family?”
“Yes. And that’s all I want to say. Okay? I know I’m not being fair, but the truth is I haven’t wrapped my head around my own problems yet well enough to share. Suffice to say, I’m not available for anything serious.”
“Okay. I won’t pry. I get it. I rarely tell anyone about my mother because I don’t want to deal with it, so I understand.”
He winced. “Except you did tell me about your mother, and I’m not reciprocating.”
“It’s not a tit for tat, Deacon. You’ll tell me when you’re ready.”
“Thank you.” He sighed. This was exhausting. “Bring a bag tomorrow night.”
“A bag.” She swallowed.
“Yes. Just in case. Or don’t bring one. Whatever.” He ran a hand through his hair. He shouldn’t have said anything. “Forget it. Never mind.”
She slowly smiled. “I’ll bring a bag.”
He lifted a brow.
She shrugged nonchalantly. “Just in case.” She met his gaze. “But whatever we decide to do, it can’t change anything. I’m not relationship material.”
“Agreed. Me neither.”
“So, maybe we’ll try to be the kind of friends who have sex with no commitment.”
“I like that plan.” He loved that plan. He also hated that plan. He was going to need a cold shower when they hung up. “I have one request.”
“Okay?” She leaned in closer.
“I’d rather you didn’t have any other friends you also have sex with.” This conversation was goofy.
She chuckled. “I