“Simone slept with everyone but me. I think she enjoyed the thrill of it, of nearly getting caught. When I finally caught her in the act she told me that I wasn’t enough for her. That she needed more.”
“More than you?”
He chuckled. “You do wonders for my self-esteem, sweet. My pride took a blow.”
“She was a bitch.”
“Yes, she was. Only I didn’t see it for the longest time. I felt like a fool. It hardened me.”
“And made it hard for you to trust anyone else.”
“Yes. I always swore that I’d never let anyone have the power to hurt me like that again. I thought I was protecting myself with that contract. Then I realized that what I felt for her paled in comparison to what I feel for you.”
Sadness filled her. “I’m not her, Alex. I wouldn’t hurt you.”
“I know. I do trust you, Tara. You’re too honest, too loving to ever betray me like that. But sometimes my emotions get the better of me and I act before I think, like when I jumped down Issac’s throat the other night at the club.”
Tara stared up at him. “I don’t want anyone else but you. They’re just my friends.”
“I know. It just took me a while to stop letting my past color my actions and emotions. My life is nothing without you in it. So, what do you say? Shall we rip that contract up?”
She grinned. “Let’s burn that sucker.”
He laughed.
“Does this mean we’re going to start going on dates and stuff?” she asked.
“I guess so.” He hadn’t really thought about it.
“I haven’t been on a real date in years.” Her face looked wistful.
“Well, I’ll just have to make our first date memorable, won’t I?” he said. He’d give her anything to make her happy.
Tara leaned over and kissed him. “What do you say we celebrate the end of our contract?”
Alex bit her neck. “I like your thinking.”
He moved, throwing her on the bed and crouching over her on all fours.
“Shit,” he swore. “I just remembered about your arm. Are you okay?”
Her gaze softened. “I’m fine, Alex.”
He frowned. “Still, we’re going to take this nice and slow.”
Tara let out a low moan. “Not too slow. It’s been three weeks. I need you inside me.”
“Flattery will get you fucked, sweetheart. But at my pace and we’re going to go very slowly and gently.”
She pouted. “I’m all better, I promise.”
“Really? Because if you’re feeling good enough to play then you’re feeling good enough to take the punishment you’re owed.”
“What? What punishment?”
“Hmm, let’s see. For leaving the club without telling me—”
“I left a note!”