Chapter 10

           ***

           Hepullsoutofmesuddenly.Iwince.Hesitsuponthebedandthrowstheusedcondominawastebasket.“Comeon,weneedtogetdressed—that’sifyouwanttomeetmymother.”Hegrins,leapsupoffthebed,andpullsonhisjeans—nounderwear!IstruggletositupasI’mstilltethered.

           “Christian—Ican’tmove.”

           Hisgrinwidens,andleaningdown,heundoesthetie.Thewovenpatternhasmadeanindentationaroundmywrists.It’s…sexy.Hegazesatme.He’samused,hiseyesdancingwithmirth.Hekissesmyforeheadquicklyandbeamsatme.

           “Anotherfirst,”heacknowledges,butIhavenoideawhathe’stalkingabout.

           “Ihavenocleanclothesinhere.”Iamfilledwithsuddenpanic,andconsideringwhatI’vejustexperienced,I’mfindingthepanicoverwhelming.Hismother!Holycrap.Ihavenocleanclothes,andshe’spracticallywalkedinonusinflagrantedelicto.“PerhapsIshouldstayhere.”

           “Ohno,youdon’t,”Christianthreatens.“Youcanwearsomethingofmine.”He’sslippedonawhiteT-shirtandrunshishandthroughhisjust-fuckedhair.Inspiteofmyanxiety,Ilosemytrainofthought.Hisbeautyisderailing.

           “Anastasia,youcouldbewearingasackandyou’dlooklovely.Pleasedon’tworry.I’dlikeyoutomeetmymother.Getdressed.I’lljustgoandcalmherdown.”Hismouthpressesintoahardline.“Iwillexpectyouinthatroominfiveminutes,otherwiseI’llcomeanddragyououtofheremyselfinwhateveryou’rewearing.MyT-shirtsareinthisdrawer.Myshirtsareinthecloset.Helpyourself.