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CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

LIAM

You’re my student, and I’m your teacher.

My words are hurtful— I know they are —but they’re as much for me as they are for her.

Never again…

It’s why I have rules for myself: separate bedrooms, contracts, and not letting any woman serve as my submissive for more than a few months. Each has a purpose. They all maintain the firm line I draw between an arrangement and a relationship. I lie and tell myself it’s so the women I temporarily bring into my life don’t become too attached. So they don’t get hurt when our time together comes to an end.

Yet, when Sasha asked me to climb into bed with her… Her soft request rang through my ears like a pained plea, and I couldn’t stop myself.

Just like I can’t seem to stop myself from doing a lot of things when it comes to her.

When I broke my own rules and slid into bed with Sasha, one thing became abundantly clear. It’s bullshit . The only person I’m trying to ensure doesn’t get hurt is me.

With her curvaceous arse nestled against my hips and her pert tits tucked under my arms, Sasha’s body tucks perfectly against mine. Too perfectly . This is what I have been trying to avoid since Ella left. Holding her against me and listening to the sounds of her slumbered breaths, I can’t deny how much I like this.

Or how much I like her… And how utterly absurd that notion is. I have only known Sasha for a few days.

Trying not to rouse her, I carefully pull my arm from beneath her and climb out of the bed. I let myself out and pull the door shut as I make my way across the hall. It’s a futile attempt to put distance between us because all I smell when I slide between my own sheets is the sweet scent of jasmine.

I need a distraction.

It’s late as hell, but I grab my cell phone from the nightstand and text my brothers.

The lot of you have been awfully quiet.

DECLAN

It’s been quiet.

Ivan has been upholding his side of the deal

I’ll be back at the club in the morning.

Is everything taken care of for Sasha’s security.

Even my fucking distraction revolves around her.

RORY

Yes. Two guys will be at your place before you leave in the morning.

TRISTAN

How are things with Sasha?

Good.

Too fucking good.

TRISTAN

I meant, how’s she doing after everything

Apparently, the bigger question is, how are you doing?

This is the opposite of a distraction.

I’m fine.

DECLAN

That’s almost as believable as when Quinn says it.

I don’t want to talk about it.

DECLAN

Exactly like fucking Quinn.

If you don’t want to talk, then just listen for a second.

Take it from someone who speaks from experience…

It’s okay to care about her.

So much for my brothers taking my mind off everything. Silencing my phone, I toss it back onto the nightstand, angrily fluff my pillow, and bury it between my shoulder and the mattress. Rooting the side of my face against it, I will myself to sleep.

At least then, I won’t be thinking about her.