He gripped my thighs as his cock throbbed inside of me, holding me steady as we both reached our release at the same time. Keeping his eyes on mine, he gently let me go and set me on the floor.
Without saying a word, he re-tied my robe shut and smoothed my hair back into place.
I watched as he tossed the condom into the trash and readjusted his pants. I tried to say something, but I couldn’t get any words to fall out of my mouth.
He looked me up and down one last time and headed toward the door. He looked over his shoulder, a hint of hurt still in his eyes.
“I expect you to show up next Tuesday.”
CHARLOTTE: THEN
Seven years ago
Pittsburgh
SUBJECT: POST GRAD plans.
It’s official! I’ve been awarded fellowships at Stanford, Brown AND Harvard! (I also received offer letters from every art school I applied to, but I’m going to ask for a deferral)
Oh, and to answer the text you sent me a few minutes ago, I’d love to go with you to dinner to meet your agent. (Are you sure you don’t want your mom to go with you instead of me?)
Talk to you tonight,
Charlotte
PS—I think I’m falling in love with you.
SUBJECT: RE: POST GRAD plans.
Congratulations. I’m very happy for you. I’ll take you out to dinner to celebrate this weekend. (I still think you should go to art school first—you clearly love that more than law, but I understand your decision)
Good to know you’re coming. (My mother hates agents. She almost killed my father’s agent when he played.)
SEE you tonight,
Grayson
PS—I think I already fell.
I KNOCKED ON GRAYSON’S door around seven o’clock that evening, shivering as Pittsburgh’s winter winds whipped against me.
“Hey, Charlotte!” Kyle opened the door. “I didn’t know you were coming up here tonight.”
Shit, shit, shit.
“Um.” I stepped inside. “Is Grayson here?”
“Of course he’s here,” he said. “He’s throwing my official ‘I’ve signed with an agent’ dinner.” He ushered me into the kitchen where Grayson, a few other football players, and Kyle’s parents were standing around sipping wine. “Want me to get your coat?”
“No, I’m okay.” I picked up a glass from the counter and tossed it back. “Which agency are you signing with?”
“Reid & Clover. I think they’re going to get me everything I want outside of football, you know?”
“I do.” I’d spent countless nights listening to him tell Grayson that he wanted to be the face of at least three drinks and a fashion label. I never really paid much attention to him until now, but Kyle was quite attractive. His dirty blond hair and green eyes gave him that extra charm in an ‘I’m asshole, but I’m likeable’ way.
“Hey.” Grayson walked over to me and kissed my lips. “I thought you were painting tonight.”
“I was. I’m taking a break so I figured I’d stop by.”
“Want me to take your coat?”
“No.” I held it closed. “No, I actually just remembered that I left something at home. I’ll go get it and come back.”
“Would you like me to drive you?”
“I can take the shuttle. I’ll be right back.” I walked away, but he grabbed my hand and pulled me into his bedroom.
He locked the door and looked at me.
“Why are you really here?” he asked. “Did you leave something last night?”
“No, I—” I felt my cheeks reddening. “It’s nothing. I can take the shuttle, Grayson.”
“Tell me the truth.”
“I wanted to hang out. I didn’t know you were hosting a get-together for Kyle.”
“You’re more than welcome to stay.” He looked confused. “It’ll probably turn into a party later.”
“In that case, I’ll come back after I change clothes.”
“You don’t have to do that.” He unfastened the top buttons of my coat and paused when he reached the middle one. He raised his eyebrow and smiled, trailing his finger along the lace of my bra.
“You came up here because you wanted to have sex?” he asked.
“No. Absolutely not.”
“Be honest.” He was still smiling. “You should be able to be honest with me like I’m honest with you.”
“I did not come up here to have sex with you, Grayson. I came up here to study.”
“Without any books? In lingerie?” He undid the last button. “You would’ve worn one of your sweaters if that was the case.”
“I just forgot to put on pants, and a shirt.”
“It’s twenty degrees outside.” He pushed the coat off my shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. “Try again.” He kissed my lips. “You can easily say, Yes, Grayson. I’m horny and I wanted to fuck you.”
“That’s not what I would say.”
“It’s what you should say, from here on out.” He kissed me again and hit the lights. “I’ll never turn you down.”
“Does this mean you’re not going back to the dinner?”
“It does.” He pulled his shirt over his head. Then he pushed me back onto his mattress. “Admit that you came up here because you’re horny and you wanted to fuck me, first.”