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“Please just stop. Don’t keep being nice when I’m so horrible to you.”

“Tori—”

“No! You’re too good for your own good, you know that? Well, I do. I know you’re not a liar. I know you really believe what you keep saying but it won’t be lying even after you realize you were wrong. I know you’re not using me. Hell, if anything I’m the one using you. I’m the one who threw myself at you and backed you into a corner until you didn’t have any other choice that first night. And last night I was the one who handcuffed you and played with you and coerced you into eating me. You’ve been so nice to me and I treat you like dirt and take advantage of you.” Tori pulled away from him and went to the kitchen.

“Who are you calling?” Guy asked when she picked up the phone.

Tori ignore him. “Hi, it’s Tori. I’m fine. Yes, I know you would have called. Yeah, I thought I might feel something when they killed them but I haven’t yet. Of course it’s only two thirty so maybe they’re still alive. Well, I know you’re busy but I called because I need a favor. I need you to replace Guy. No, it’s not that. He’s fine. He’s been great. I’m the problem. I don’t want to hurt him anymore and I will if he stays. Don’t say it, Todd. You’re as wrong as he is but I don’t want to argue about it. Just get him out of here before he starts to hate me. He’s been so kind to me and I couldn’t stand that.” Tori’s face fell. Her shoulders slumped at whatever Todd told her. “He wants to talk to you,” Tori stated flatly as she handed him the phone.

“Guess I don’t need to ask how your day’s going,” Todd commented.

“Nope. I told Tori about your party,” Guy reported, knowing Todd would figure out the rest.

“I’m assuming you want me to tell her there’s no one else available so she’ll have to work things out with you.”

“That’s correct.”

“Are you sure? Don’t take this the wrong way but Tori sounds honestly upset with herself. Maybe you should give her some space and let her work through it on her own.”

“Bad idea considering the history,” Guy answered evasively.

“Hmm, let me think about that one since you obviously can’t give me an explanation with her listening. I said give Tori space and you won’t because of her past. Oh, wait. I get it. Even if she is hurting you as she thinks she is you have to stay so she realizes you’re in for the long haul. Damn, I already knew that she expects you to walk out on her like everyone else has. I shouldn’t have suggested giving her the chance to convince herself that you’re the same. All right, give me back to Tori.”

“Todd?”

“Sorry, kiddo. Wish I could help you out but I don’t have anyone else available just now.”

“Why am I not surprised? I shouldn’t have bothered to call you. That’s fine, Todd. I know you’re lying but I won’t hold it against you. After all, I’ve only been your friend for a few days and he’s been your friend for years. Of course you’d pick him over me. Damn, if I’m not the stupidest thing alive.” Tori hung up without giving Todd a chance to respond.

When she tried to leave the room, Guy stopped her by pulling her back against his chest. “Don’t take this out on Todd. You were right. He was lying but only because I made him. He suggested that it might be better if I gave you some space. When I made the remark about history I was referring to your past. Todd thought about it and realized that I wouldn’t leave even if he sent someone else because I need you to see that I am not going to desert you when things aren’t going precisely the way I want them to. Relationships, good ones, are full of compromises. It’s give and take, not me dictating and you meekly agreeing. All couples argue and disagree. The good ones work it out together and move on. You told Todd you wanted me to leave because you thought you’d find ways to hurt me until I hated you.”

Guy tightened his arms when Tori squirmed again. He dipped his head and nudged hers until it was tilted enough for him to reach her neck. Before he resumed speaking, he spent a few minutes nuzzling the back of her ear.

“But you didn’t hurt me. Just the opposite, in fact. You don’t even know what you said, do you? I’ll tell you. You said you know I’m not a liar and you know I wouldn’t use you. Christ, Tor, don’t you get it? You’re starting to trust me. You have no idea how good that makes me feel. Please don’t be mad at Todd for trusting me too. Please don’t reject his friendship because he knows I love you and will find a way for us to get through this.”

“Oh my God.” Tori slumped against his chest. “I was so awful to him. What a stupid jerk I am. I just don’t think. I’d call him back and apologize but no way is he going to talk to me now.”

“Sure he will. Todd knows you’re having a tough day and running on nerves. He’s probably debating on calling you back as we speak.”

Tori tugged his arms so she could turn toward him. “You think so?”

“I’m sure of it.”

Tori was shaking when she picked up the phone. As soon as she dialed, she slid her arm around Guy’s waist and urged him closer. “I’m sorry,” she said as soon as Todd answered. “Guy explained why you said no and I understand now but I shouldn’t have been such a mean bitch in the first place.”

“Apology accepted and thank you for not making me figure out the appropriate amount of time to wait before I called you.”

“Guy said you’d call. I know you don’t have time for this but thanks for putting up with me anyway.”

“That’s what friends are for, Tori. We are still friends, aren’t we?”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“Good. I’m glad. Now, as my friend, I expect to see you at my Christmas party next Saturday. It’s casual, just nibbles and drinks between six and nine. Stop in anytime. Feel free to bring a date.”

“You should be ashamed of yourself,” Tori laughed. “That is so not fair.”

“I know but the question is did it get Guy off the hook?”

“You guys are like a tag team. Both of you trying to keep me from being mad at the other like this.”

“That’s an interesting conclusion but you didn’t answer my question.”

Tori sighed. “I’d say yes but he wasn’t ever really on it. He was trying to be nice and I overreacted and twisted things make him into the bad guy.”

Todd chuckled. “Can Guy hear you?”

“Yes. He’s right here. Um, he’s letting me hold on to him for courage.”

“Damn. Hell of a roller coaster you two are on today.”

“Wish I knew how to get off.”

“You already know the solution. You just need to let yourself believe in it.”

“On that note,” Tori didn’t want to hear any more, “I’m going to say goodbye and let you get back to work.”

“Guess it’s my turn to apologize. I promised I would drop it this morning and I just tried to give you a push. Forgive me?”

“Of course, although I don’t think that was you. I’ve noticed that I have a very bad habit of setting people up so they say things I keep denying that I want to hear. Why do you suppose I do that?”

“Maybe because you really do want to hear those things but are still too wary to believe them? It’s just a guess but maybe you think if you hear them often enough you’ll find them easier to accept. Why don’t you ask Guy for his theory on this? I’m sure he has one.”

“I’d be amazed if he didn’t. Hey, Todd? Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it. Hang in there, okay? We aren’t very likely to get them today but we will get them. I promise we will get them. You can count on that.”

“I know. Bye.”

Tori hugged Guy to her and sighed into his chest. “I want to thank you for being here before I turn back into a raving lunatic. I know you’re going to tell me I don’t have to but please let me anyway. I couldn’t handle this without you. If you weren’t here, I’d probably do something stupid like go looking for them, tell them they could do anything they wanted to me as long as they promised not to kill anyone else. It’s ridiculous to think it might work but I’m to the point where I would do it if there’s a chance they’d stop. Damn it, don’t listen to me. I’m babbling and not making any sense again. I’m not going anywhere so you don’t have to get dramatic and handcuff me to you.”

“Good to know but what if I want to handcuff you to me anyway?”

“Hmm.” Tori looked at him as if she were considering it. “Might be worth a try sometime but today I think I want to keep our arms free so we can hold each other like this.”

“Whatever you want.” Guy brushed her lips with a soft kiss.

“Guy.” Tori asked for more by looping one arm around his neck and raising herself to her toes to reach his lips.

Guy must have understood because his mouth claimed hers in a way that matched her need. Tori arched against him as if she couldn’t get close enough. She refused to let the kiss end. The hand that had been around his waist slipped under the waistband of his sweatpants and cupped one cheek. She squeezed his flesh, pulling his hips tighter against hers. Tori knew she was losing control but couldn’t stop herself. She knew she was forcing Guy into another no-win situation. What she was doing was so unfair that she should have been ashamed but at the moment, all she could think of was how much she wished they weren’t wearing any clothes so she could feel his whole body against her bare skin.

“I’m sorry, Guy. I’m so sorry,” Tori whispered against his mouth. “I know it’s wrong and I’m taking advantage of you,” she paused for another involved kiss. “Please forgive me but I need you so much.” Her hand explored the crease between his cheeks. “I can’t help it. Please, Guy. I’m sorry. Please.”

Guy’s control slipped and he backed her to the wall. He caught both hands and held them above her head, grinding his pelvis against her as he brutally took her mouth. “Tell me what you want,” Guy demanded.

“You. I want you,” she replied, scowling because he wasn’t kissing her.

“Not good enough. Tell me what you want.”

Tori realized he was pushing her so she would be sure of what she was doing. “Kiss me again.”

Guy complied but wouldn’t let her rub against him. “What else?”

“Fuck me,” she stated, knowing he’d force her to be more specific.

“How? Where?”

“Here. Let go so I can take my jeans off.”

Instead of releasing her, Guy used one hand to strip both of them. “Done. Next?” He teased her by brushing his erection against her stomach.

“God, Guy, please. I need you to be inside me now. I need to feel your hard cock moving in and out, deeper than it ever was before. I want to squeeze you with my pussy until you’re as out of control as I am. I want you to make me come until I’m begging you to stop and then I want you to make me come so hard I scream. I want you to feel all of it with your cock until you can’t stand it anymore and then I want to feel you exploding deep inside me.”

“Tori,” Guy growled, lifting her so he could impale her.

“Yes,” she cried when he plunged.

“Wrap your legs around me,” he urged, kissing her savagely.

Guy did exactly as Tori described. By the time they were through, neither could speak. They wound up on the kitchen floor. Tori was on Guy’s lap with her ankles locked behind him. His spent shaft rested inside her. The only sound was their labored breathing.

Several long minutes later Tori lifted her head off Guy’s shoulder. “You’re perfect,” she whispered shyly.

“No, tiger,” Guy countered. “We’re perfect. Together, we’re perfect.”

“I should feel like I need to apologize but honestly, I don’t. I’m not even embarrassed by the way I pushed you into this again. I made you let me use you and I don’t feel at all guilty about it,” she admitted, more to herself than Guy.

“Hallelujah!” Guy shouted. “Listen up. Yes, you initiated the moment but you sure as hell didn’t push me into anything. I was a more than eager participant so you weren’t using me. As for apologizing and feeling guilty, don’t you dare do either. You wanted me. I wanted you. It’s that simple.”

She nodded slowly. “Guess this takes some getting used to.”

“I don’t think you’ll have any problems with it, Tor,” he teased.

“But I’m not like this.”

“Like what?” Guy asked, trapping her where she was. “Don’t run away. Explain what you’re thinking so I can understand why you’re getting upset.”

Tori took a calming breath and forced herself to remain in the position that was becoming awkward now that the excitement was fading. “I know people like to do all sorts of things, anytime, anywhere. But I’ve always been more traditional. You know, in bed, at night, no bright lights. I’m not aggressive when it comes to sex. What’s wrong with me?”

“Not a goddamn thing! Consider this. In the past, you stuck to no-frills sex because your body needed the physical contact but your subconscious knew you weren’t with the right man. You chose partners who felt safe for the moment but not safe enough for you to share your true self with.”

“Yeah, okay, right,” she agreed sarcastically.

“Hold on. I’m not suggesting you sat down and decided to do that. I think it was another of your instinctive defense mechanisms. Those same instincts now sense that you’re safe with me in all ways. You don’t have to hold back with me. You don’t have to stick with a set pattern where everything follows a predetermined plan from start to finish. Your subconscious recognizes that you can explore your sexuality because I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”

Tori laughed harshly. “Maybe. Or maybe I’m just so far out there now that I’ve lost my mind and have no idea what I’m doing anymore.”

“Maybe. I disagree but who knows? Personally, I’ve enjoyed every bit of it and hope you continue to test your boundaries.”

“What if I go too far?”

“I doubt that you will but I’ll make a deal with you.” He waited for her to nod. “If you ever suggest something that makes me uncomfortable, I’ll tell you instead of going along with it for your sake.”

“Okay. What’s my part?”

“I want you to stop second-guessing yourself and follow your body’s desires. Let’s go one step further and make this a two-way deal since I know I’m safe with you too. Do we have a deal?”

“Yes. God, this is so unreal.”

“What?”

“Making deals about sex, sitting on the kitchen floor, naked, wrapped around a guy who just had me screaming like a brazen hussy, with his cock still inside me.”