He smirks. “Because I liked them too much. Sue me.” There’s that shrug again.
Guess there’s no way around it. He really is a perv.
“No, wait.” He holds up his hand. “Don’t sue me. That … could get me in real trouble.”
I snicker. “If you bring it like that, I’m actually tempted.”
“Oh, shit,” he says. “Guess I’mma have to beg now. Want me to go down on my knees? Because I’ll do it. I’m normally not this easily persuaded, but for you, I’ll do it.”
I don’t even know what to say, because I’m smirking so damn hard, and because my heart is jumping through hoops. I gotta tell myself not to encourage him even though I want to see him crawl badly. And maybe kiss my feet. Fuck, I’d let him.
But that’d mean admitting I could forgive him. Or, you know, still imagine kissing him.
But fuck, he’s the guy who actually bought my panties and sniffed them. Can I be okay with that? I know everybody has their own needs and some have a fetish, and that’s okay. I mean, I made money off it, for crying out loud. But he didn’t tell me. Not once did he make an effort. Except when it was too late.
“Well …” I sigh, clutching the door handle.
“Wait,” he says, holding up his hand. “Before you make a decision …” He rummages in his other pocket. “These belong to you.” He holds up the three panties. “I don’t want to keep them if it means hurting you.”
I contemplate it for a moment, but then I realize what might have happened to those panties, where they’ve been, and how that would make me feel.
“Uh … no thanks,” I reply. “Keep them.”
“Well, that’s mighty generous of you.” He tucks them back into his pocket. I’m not sure whether I should be amazed or grossed out that he carries them around like that.
“Sorry, this must be really weird for you,” he says.
“Kinda.” I try to hide my cringe.
“I … just love how you smell. I can’t help it. If that makes me a pervert, then so be it.”
“It’s okay. I mean, everybody has his own taste.”
“Oh yeah, like you have a fetish like this,” he jests.
“Who knows? You don’t,” I say with a sassy grin.
He narrows his eyes. “Is that an invitation to come and find out? Because I will … gladly.” The soft groans at the end of his sentence have my senses on high alert and my hormones going crazy.
When he steps forward, I place a finger on his chest and say, “Uh-uh, not so fast.”
“What?” He seems genuinely surprised I stopped him. As if I’m that easy.
“First, you have to promise me …”
“Yes.”
I make a face. “I haven’t even told you what it is yet.”
“I don’t care; I’ll do it.”
I snort. “Shouldn’t have said that.”
“So what is it?” He arrogantly leans against the door post.
“You get rid of all the panties that aren’t mine.”
He almost falls down. “What?”
“You heard me.” I raise a brow. “Or are you going to chicken out on your promise now?”
“That wasn’t …” He clears his throat and growls, “Fine. I will.”
Whoa. I didn’t expect him to actually agree to it. I’m impressed.
“All right, bigshot. You sure you can handle it? Because I’m sure you’ll start to miss them once they’re gone. You’re a hoarder, remember?”
“Oh, I remember.” He takes another step, inching dangerously close to me. “I’m not just a hoarder. I’m a sniffer too …” He takes in a big gulp of air. “And I just happen to have found exactly what I love to smell.” I grin and giggle when he sniffs my hair and whispers into my ear, “You.”
“But will I be enough?”
“More than enough. But I will require a donation … every once in a while.” The left side of his lips quirks up into a smile as he grabs my waist and pulls me close.
“Donation?” I repeat, almost unable to talk because his lips are hovering above my skin, seducing me.
“A contribution to my panty-monogamy,” he murmurs, his lips brushing along mine. “Something to keep me focused …”
“You mean you want me to hand my panties to you?” I reply, lifting my head to look at him.
He shrugs. “That … or I’ll steal them.”
I put my hands on my side. “You promised—”
“I’ll sink my teeth into them and snatch them before licking your pussy …” He groans, and I can’t help but zoom in on him licking his lips. “How’s that sound?”
I can’t do anything but nod and stare … and then nod some more. He closes the door with his foot and grasps my face, taking my mouth as if he owns it. And I don’t even mind.
Chapter 22
Lesley
With a stupid grin, I type away, rushing to finish the document so I can take it to TJ. I haven’t spoken with him much. At least, not since last time we had sex. Which was like … yesterday.