Page 29 of The Spare

"Can you introduce me?"

My eyes narrow as jealousy easily dominates my emotions. "You've seen him before, Karissa." I say, putting my attention back to mycomputer and starting my question again. I don't even know why I'm bothering though. I need help. Mason's words enter my head, and I bite my lip.

I really don't want to be a bother.

"Yeahh," she says slowly, "But I mean can youformallyintroduce me? You know," she wags her eyebrows. "Hook a girl up."

I cut my eyes to her. "You're not happy with the ten guys you've fucked this year? And what about Brian?" I say, referencing her newest boyfriend. More like boy toy.

She scoffs and waves her hand dismissively, pinning me with a nosy look. "You ever think about fucking him?"

I pause, feeling really on edge, and put on the spot. Becauseof courseI've thought about it. "No," I lie, too shy to confide in her just yet when I've thought about way more than fucking him.

I've thought about kissing him. I've thought about touching him. I've thought about him making me his, just like Henny made Izzy his.

Being his wife.

Beingtogether.

I'm obviously dreaming, though. Lost in a perpetual state of delusion I'm starting to be scared I'll never make my way out of. My desire for that seems to be one-sided. Because in almost four years, Mason has not made one move.

My lips twist, he did touch my hand at the charity ball, though. Memories of his thumb stroking the back of my hand and playing with my ring finger assaults me, but I shake my head and scoff, dismissing that thought easily. The Mason I know would have just taken whatever he wanted; he wouldn't have let himself just stroke my hand if he'd wanted more.

Maybe he is with someone. It could be the reason.

My eyes prick hot with unshed tears, and my mood sours completely. I slam my laptop shut, not even bothering trying to finish the problem.

"Oh!"Karissa half shouts, slapping a palm to her forehead. "I almost forgot, Mel. Your toy came!"

I sit straight up, throwing a panicked look at Stephen who's currently scrolling on his phone. "Karissa, shh!" I give her wide eyes, bouncing off my seat and snatching my things. "Let's go." I look over at my security. "Stevie, we're going back to the dorm. You don't need to follow me." I say, hopefully.

But no luck, he stands up and trails behind us anyways.

Walking into the dorm room, Karissa shuts the door on him, leaving him out in the hallway and prances to her bed while I put my things down on the small desk. She grabs the small box off her bed and flops down on it, crossing her legs.

"Here, I got you the pink one. I hope its okay?"

All thoughts of my homework fly out of my head at the cute vibrator bullet.

"Yay! Thanks girl, I owe you one big time," I smile at her.

"No problem."

I start to tear open the box and turn, inserting the cord and plugging it into the wall to charge. I'd never be so open with something like a sex toy with anyone else, but Karissa's my girl.

And I've seen her with cum on her face, so there's not as much timidness like I have with other people. We're close. She loves sending me pictures of her "conquests," as she calls them. I fire my computer back up and attempt this stupid math problem one more time.

I really don't want to call Mason about this if I don't have to.

"Sooo, why don't you buy your own toy, if you don't mind me asking?" Karissa yet again interrupts my thoughts as well as my concentration. What else is new?

"Kari, they pay my bills, they track my phoneandcomputer… do you really think I want them seeing I bought a sex toy?" I say wryly.

She frowns. "Well, I'd do it. Small price to pay for being a kept woman."

"You know what, that's it." I say, shutting my laptop I stand up and go to my closet, grabbing a change of clothes and a towel. "I'm going to take a shower." I snatch my air pods, my phone and my vibrator and shove them in a small bag, making my way to the door.

She gives me a teasing smile and a little squeal. "Oohhh, have fun bestieee!"