Page 147 of Twisted Truth

“Why?”

“Because that’s my childhood nickname. You have to call me something different.”

“Hmm. Like what?”

“I don’t know. I’m not the nickname decider. You have to make it up if you give it to me.”

I forget what I’m saying and just stare at his face. His perfect, perfect face. “You’re pretty,” I say, and I tap his nose with my finger.

Asher scoffs. “I’m not pretty.”

“You are, too. You should hear what the girls at work say about you.”

“And what do they say?” He lifts a brow.

“They say you’re like a god. And they all want to fuck you.”

Asher bursts out laughing. “And what do you say?” he whispers now.

“I say they’re right. Except the fucking part.”

“You don’t want to fuck me?” he whispers, pinching my side.

I yelp in surprise. “I meantheydon’t get to fuck you. They can think you’re a god, but they don’t get to touch you.”

“And why is that?”

“Because you’re my sort-of-fake-sort-of-not-fake boyfriend,” I whisper, so only he can hear me. “If anyone gets to fuck you, it’s me.”

“And do you want to?”

“Yes. Too much. But we’re not supposed to. We’re supposed to keep boundaries is what you said.”

“I think I’m an idiot for saying that, which is why I proposed new terms, remember?”

I laugh. “Did Asher Langford just admit to being an idiot? It must be cold in hell!”

I think my whispers are getting louder because Sterling flashes me a wolfish grin.

Damn those two delicious cocktails.

“Ugh, goddammit!” Maya says, tossing her phone in her purse.

“What’s up?” I ask.

“Nothing.” She’s fuming.

“That’s noooot nothing.”

“It’s one of my damn dorm mates again. There’s a loud party in the building that’s just getting started. I’m just not in the mood to listen to it till four a.m.”

“See?” I say. “You need to move out! You’re twenty-eight! You shouldn’t be dealing with dorm parties; you’re officially too old for that shit.”

Maya sticks out her tongue, and Sterling studies her.

“You can come stay with meeee. Wait, where are we staying?” I ask Asher. “I don’t remember. We were at a hotel this morning, right?”

Asher snorts. “It’s a good thing you’re not navigating your way on your own tonight, you don’t even know where you’re staying, you little drunkard.”