Betrayal by Aleatha Romig

overthought it and needed to put myself out more. I worried about the long-term consequences of following her advice. I suspected that many of my classmates would go on to impressive careers. The idea of running into one of them—a one-night stand—in a courtroom one day didn’t sit well with my long-term career goals. I was safer with my vibrator. It had no aspirations for the judicial system.
    “You’ve had sex, haven’t you?” Nox asked.
    “Yes,” I replied indignantly.
    “So you know what you like? Right?” He was still looking at me with wide eyes.
    I stood and wrapped my arms around my midsection. “Nox, I don’t think I know you well enough to have this conversation.”
    Immediately, he was off the sofa and pulling me close. “You will.”
    A shiver shuddered through me as his words rumbled from his chest to mine. His response was not only a promise, but also a threat. By the way my pulse skyrocketed, I was certain that the threat part intrigued me more than the promise.
    “B-But we said one week. That’s it. That means no delving into one another’s lives.”
    He lifted my chin. “Charli, it’s not your life I want to delve into.”
    Oh shit!
    My cheeks filled with heat. I wanted that too, but not yet. I was still trying to come to grips with the pendulum of emotions that Nox evoked within me. The way his voice ricocheted through my body, the way his touch surged with electricity, and the realization that even when I’d been upset, I still wanted him.
    Then again, I reminded myself that I had been upset only an hour ago. I didn’t want make up sex to be what we did for our first time—first times were supposed to be special. “Can we take it a day at a time?”
    He sighed. “We can. I want to reestablish the ground rules.”
    Unknowingly, I rolled my eyes. “Again with the rules.”
    “Yes,” he replied, undaunted by my reaction. “We touched on them in my suite, before you so rudely walked away.”
    I pulled back from his embrace and crossed my arms over my chest. “I wasn’t rude. I thought—”
    “You thought I was married.”
    “I thought you were a cheater,” I clarified.
    “Married men and cheaters … we’re establishing your list of hard limits. That’s good,” he added. “Charli, you don’t have to tell me any more about yourself than you want to. But I have a hard limit too—a rule: honesty. You need to be honest with me and I’ll do the same. You don’t need to tell me everything, but what you do tell me, I must be able to believe without question. I’m straightforward to a fault. I’m used to saying my mind, and I want others to do the same. I’m not a cheater or a liar nor do I get my feelings hurt. Don’t run away like you did tonight ever again. Tell me when something is bothering you—I can handle the truth.”
    The guilt rushed over me. I lowered my arms and chin, no longer feeling as defiant as I had. My dishonesty about who I was had already broken his hard limit —his rule.
    He reached for my chin and pulled my eyes back to his. “I mean it. Some of my tastes are unique— they aren’t for everyone. I understand that.” His thumb caressed my cheek. “And I’m willing to adapt if…” He paused. “…I like someone.” He leaned down and brushed his lips over mine. “Charli Moore, I like you. I have since the first time I saw you.” He shifted. “When Max was trying…”
    I smiled at the change in his tone as he recalled this morning’s escapades. Jealous much? When he finished his account, I said, “I think I should go find Max.”
    “Why?”
    “Because I owe him a thank-you.” Fingering the small buttons of Nox’s shirt I added, “Because he brought you to my chaise.”
    “I believe I mentioned that I would’ve gotten there one way or the other.”
    “Well, I should thank Max anyway, because he provided you a way. And…” I leaned closer. “…I’m glad you got there.”
    He held my hand, the one on his shirt. “If I only