Room Mated: Standalone Reverse Harem Romance

I shook my head. “If you want any more of that, you need to find another cohort to be in.”

“I don’t want to.”

Irritation filled me. “I just told you, personal loyalty has no place in the business world. Not unless it’s helping you move toward your goals.”

“You could help me.”

“Clearly, I can’t.”

“Yes, you can.” She turned to face me, crossing her legs. “Because I’ve seen you do it when I almost got caught, and at the bar. And you know what those two things had in common? Both of those times you thought of me, not yourself.”

“So?”

“So, maybe that’s a step in the right direction. If you won’t take charge of the cohort because it’s the right thing to do, then do it for me. God knows I could use the support.”

She looked so small sitting there. Small and young. She was only a few years younger than me, but she seemed somehow both naive and wise. “Isn’t that just another form of loyalty? Me helping you because I like you?”

“You just said that the only way personal loyalty has a legitimate place in the business world is if it helps you move toward your goals. My goal is to learn as much as I can and pass my classes. Your goal could be to return to your old self.”

I shook my head. “You’ll probably be retired by the time that happens.”

“So fake it until you make it. Isn’t that what you did when you flirted with the woman from housing? You faked your interest and helped me out.”

“And helped myself out, too,” I muttered, almost under my breath.

“You did? How?”

“Because it meant my friend didn’t get kicked out.”

Kylie’s face lit up at that. I’d heard that expression, but I’d never seen it so perfectly exemplified. “Maybe if you keep helping me—and the others in the group—you’ll find benefits in that, too. Maybe you’ll feel more like yourself.”

I groaned, getting to my feet. “I don’t feel anything anymore.”

She jumped up, and I wondered if she’d planned to follow me, move for move, for the rest of the day. “How about last night? Did you feel something last night?”

I sat on the edge of the table as I thought about it. “Yes.” At first, I thought their X-rated, role-playing bedtime stories were a ridiculous waste of time. They were adults. If they wanted to fuck, they should fuck. But eventually, I’d gotten into them. They were a slow tease, but a damn sight better than just rubbing one out on your own, thinking about a woman you’d never see again. Never hold. Never touch. “Yeah, I did,” I admitted.

“That’s a start.” Kylie looked encouraged. “If you felt something at night in the bedroom when we’re all together… maybe you’d feel something somewhere else.”

“Like where?”

“Like here, for starters.” She moved close to me, standing between my spread legs. She put her hand on my cheek. “Does this cause you to feel anything?”

“No,” I said, but I couldn’t help placing my hand on top of hers.

“How about now?” She wrapped her arms around my back, pressing herself against me. After a moment, my arms went around her. When was the last time someone hugged me? It felt strange. It felt different.

And it also felt good.

I rested my cheek on the top of her hair, smelling the faint scent of citrus shampoo. Her body nestled against mine, and I couldn’t quite tell if I sought comfort or gave it. Maybe it didn’t matter. I held her, trying to block out all thoughts and just focusing on the acceptance she offered me.

Kylie raised her face to mine. “Parker—” Her mouth was silenced when I crushed mine over it. She tasted as sweet as she smelled. When I ran my tongue along her soft lips, it tasted of honey. Or, maybe it was vanilla.

She reached her arms up, linking them behind my neck, making her body stretch out and her breasts press against my chest. They were soft but firm—just like I’d imagined in the dark at night.

I took my time tasting her. Exploring her mouth. Kissing her as thoroughly as I knew how. Her breathing sped up, and she moaned deep in her throat. Way back when, a good kiss made me feel that way, too. Now… it felt good, but it was a faint echo of what it should’ve been. I wanted to be fully present and enjoy this amazing respite with Kylie—but I didn’t know how.

Then she broke the kiss, taking a half step back. “I’m not pulling away, okay? I just need to tell you something.”

The look of concern on her face was oddly endearing. “What? Are you secretly married?”

She gave a small, distracted smile. “No, but I’m also not looking for any kind of commitment.”

“Neither am I.” That was the last thing I wanted after how my last relationship had ended.