no specific reason at all, how many times can you go in a day? Like full dicking. Though I’m not gonna argue if your dick gives out and we resort to fingers and tongues.”
Connor groans, and I feel something nice and firm poking me now. “I’ve never tested it, but now I’d really like to find out.”
“Great!” I proclaim. “It’s decided then. We walk Nut and Juice, grab some water from the fridge, and get right down to work! And by work, I mean round one.” I frown. “Wait, is it still round one if we had sex last night after midnight? What are the rules here? Should we count that since it was technically today, and this morning, because it was the same twenty-four-hour period? If so, we’re starting round three and you’re already doing great. Let’s aim for . . . what do you think? Six? Ten?”
He blinks, and I hope he’s imagining three through ten because I know I am.
“Unfortunately, work is going to have to mean actual work for us both,” Connor reminds me. “You have a deadline. And so do I. And I don’t want to have to save you from an angry agent.”
He has a good point, but I feel like we’re encased in one of those soap bubbles that float through the air, all shimmery and iridescent in the sunlight, and I’m afraid if I’m not careful, it’ll pop and leave Connor and me falling back to earth only to splat gracelessly.
The splat is coming though because I want to ask about his work, about what he’s going to steal. But I also . . . don’t. I haven’t forgotten what Connor does or how wrong it is. And he’s said he’s got prep work to do. So he’s getting ready to steal something.
It’s been ingrained in my mind since I was a child that stealing is wrong. Maybe there’s some leeway for a hungry person stealing bread or something like that, but not swiping electronics at the first available opportunity. Even if he did help me get my laptop back. What about the other people who’ve lost phones, laptops, wallets, and more?
Can I be okay with that?
Connor strokes the back of my neck with a thumb, making me shiver with pleasure. “You went quiet.”
I sigh, laying my head on his shoulder as uneasiness gnaws in my gut. “I’m worried about you.”
“I’m fine,” he says, but I can hear something in his voice, and I sit up more.
“Are you? I’m not telling you what to do, but what you do is dangerous. And hurtful. What if you take something from someone violent?”
Connor smirks. “Like you? You attacked me. Working out pretty well so far.”
“I’m serious! I’m not saying everyone is innocent, but I don’t want you getting hurt!”
Connor sighs almost sadly. “I’ve been waiting for this.”
“You have?”
He nods. “I do what I do for good reasons. Ones I can’t explain . . . not to you, not my family, not even to myself sometimes. But I’m fine. I promise.”
“Can you promise that you’ll be careful? That no one will get hurt, especially you?”
“That’s my MO,” he tells me, kissing me on the forehead. “You know I’ve been doing this for almost half my life at this point, and I’ve only been caught stealing twice? Once, the shoplifting as a kid . . . and then you. That’s a pretty good track record.”
He sees that’s not what I wanted to hear, so he kisses my nose and adds, “I promise.”
It’s not enough, but it’ll have to do for now. We finish our biscuits quickly, even though I’d still rather chill all day.
After a too-fast goodbye, I have to rush home to let Nut and Juice out to do their morning business. I tell myself it’s not a walk of shame but rather a Walk of Fame. Let all the jealous neighbors watch me walk out in his T-shirt, letting everyone know exactly where I spent last night.
So I hold my head high and add a little bounce to my step, knowing that Connor is watching me walk across the small yard to my own place with my dress and heels in my hands. It’s awkward at best, but then . . .
“Good morning, Poppy!” a voice calls out. I turn to see my neighbor, Jane, and a handful of other neighborhood residents on the sidewalk a few yards away. They’re all dressed in workout gear, complete with water bottle belts, sun visors, and matching