Page 42 of Meet Me In The Dark (Skeptically In Love #3)

Julian

“So let me get this straight.” I pause, shifting slightly as I try to understand the madness unfolding on my television screen. “These people date each other through a wall, propose, and only then do they get to see who they’re marrying?”

Celeste hums around a mouthful of chocolate. “Yep. That’s the gist.”

“And this makes sense to you?”

She shrugs and curls deeper into my side. “Not really, but it’s entertaining as hell.”

I watch as some jerk on the screen moves from one room to another, flirting his way through women.

“They just sit there and believe whatever bullshit comes out of his mouth?”

Her gaze flickers to mine. “It’s a bit like how we met.”

That’s just fucking offensive.

“Celeste, this is nothing like how we met.”

Laughing, she shoves another piece of chocolate into her mouth.

She’s been here for days.

I don’t even know how it happened.

One second, I was telling her to get some rest, and the next, I was making excuses for her not to leave.

Neither of us have brought it up.

I glance down at her, noticing the faint flush on her cheeks and her eyes that are brighter than they’ve been all week. She’s healthier. Stronger. Still a goddamn force of nature.

Superwoman, currently sighing over a grown man reciting bad poetry through a wall.

I shake my head. “You’re really into this, aren’t you?”

“Shhh,” she hisses. “He’s about to drop the L-bomb, and he’s only known her for four days.”

I blink at the screen as the dude wipes a tear from his eye, the words “I love you” slipping from his lips like they’ve been rehearsed in a mirror.

I turn back to Celeste, waiting.

She lets out a dreamy sigh.

“He’s a fucking fraud.”

She whacks me with a throw pillow.

Minutes later, I notice the change in her body before she speaks—her toes gently pressing into my leg, the restless way her fingers fidget with the edge of her T-shirt .

“Alright, out with it.”

Sighing, she drags her lip between her teeth. “I’m nervous.”

“About what?”

“Sex.”

I feel my stomach tighten. “You’re nervous about sex?”

She nods, gaze fixed on the TV, like she’s not sure she actually wants to talk about this but is pushing herself through it anyway.

“What if it hurts again? I mean, Dr. Patel says I won’t know until I try, and the last time was likely because I was… well, you know… about to get my period. I like Dr. Patel. I really do. But he’s still got a penis and not a uterus.”

I exhale through my nose, trying to piece together the right response. “Well, then, we just won’t—”

“Oh, we’re going to.”

“Celeste.”

“I feel ready again. I’m just nervous.” The certainty in her voice throws me.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I nudge her with my elbow. “So you’re just assuming I’m at your beck and call then?”

“Am I wrong?”

I glare.

She smiles.

Fuck.

No, she’s not wrong at all.

“I thought I hurt you, Celeste, and that’s not something I ever want to question.”

Reaching for my hand, she threads her fingers through mine. “You didn’t.”

“I know that now.” I scrub a hand over my face because Jesus, how do I say this right? “I need to be able to trust that you’ll tell me when something is wrong.”

“I did.”

“Not soon enough.”

She frowns. “I get why you’re worried. I’ll…” She looks up at me, cheeks flushing. “Use my words.”

I hold her gaze, then give her a slow wink. “Good girl.”

Her chin tips stubbornly. “But I do want to have sex again.”

“When you’re fully recovered. Maybe a couple of weeks.”

“Weeks?” she sputters. “For God’s sake, stop reading the forums. I’ll tell you when I’m ready.” She shoves the chocolates on my lap. “You should try these, by the way.”

I stare at her, deadpan. “Celeste—”

“No, seriously. You’re missing out.” She takes one out and holds it to my lips. “Here, take one.”

I lean forward, slow enough to watch her breath catch, and close my lips over the chocolate and the tip of her fingers. Her eyes lock on mine, all wide challenge and heat, as I let my mouth linger just long enough to make her swallow hard before I pull back.

She watches me with curious eyes. “Well?”

I swallow and lick the taste off my lips. “Tastes like a bribe.”