Page 204 of Buy Back My Love

“You think you gotta fuck me because I help take care of Myles?”

“That ain’t what I said.”

“Kinda sound like it.”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t ruin this.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I.”

Van sat on the edge of the mattress. “Lee, you don’t owe me sex for doing shit I’m choosing to do.”

“I know that.”

“Do you?”

“Yes.”

“Because I’m not touching you if this some thank-you gift.”

I stared at him. This damn man.

“You know what? Fine.” I reached for my robe. “Forget it.”

Van caught my wrist before I could grab it. “Stop.”

“No. You done made it weird.”

“I asked you a question.”

“And I’m telling you I know I don’t owe you nothing.” I looked him dead in his face. “I appreciate everything you do, yes. But I also want you. Both can be true.”

He let go of my wrist and I kept going because apparently now we had to have a whole damn meeting before I could get laid. “I haven’t wanted you touching me like that since I had Myles. Half the time I’ve been too tired. But now I do.”

Van’s mouth twitched.

“Don’t smile.”

“I ain’t.”

“You are.”

“A little.”

I pushed his shoulder, and he caught my hand. His smile faded as his fingers closed around mine.

“You sure?”

There wasn’t a joke in his voice that time.

I nodded. “Yes.”

“Physically too?”

“My doctor cleared me six weeks ago.”

“That ain’t what I asked.”