But…bullshit.
Darcy Grant had serious written all over her, from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. Hell, she’d started referring to AJ as her “boyfriend” after two measly weeks of dating.
No, she didn’t want anything serious with him.
That’s what she’d really meant.
The notion made his gut clench.
“So you’re saying there’s no chance this will ever turn into a relationship?” he asked carefully, trying to mask his unhappiness.
“I don’t see how it can,” she confessed. “We’re so different. And…well…I’ll just say it. You’re not really my type.”
Annoyance streaked through him. “I get it. I’m good enough to screw, but not good enough to date?”
“It’s not about being good enough,” Darcy protested, misery etched into her face. “It’s just…you really don’t seem like a guy who’s interested in relationships.”
“You hardly know me,” he said stiffly. “That’s a rather big assumption to make, don’t you think?”
“How many relationships have you been in?” she shot back. “And I don’t mean flings or affairs or any other arrangements that revolve around sex. I’m talking about serious, long-term relationships. Commitments.”
He supposed he could’ve lied, but he found it difficult to lie to Darcy. “Not a lot.”
“How many?”
“None,” he admitted.
Her forehead wrinkled. “None? Really? I figured you’d at least say one. What’s the longest you’ve ever dated someone?”
“Never more than a month.”
She nodded, as if it was just what she’d expected to hear. Although her expression didn’t convey disapproval, he sensed it radiating from her body.
Reed could have elaborated. Explained how during his fighting days he’d been too immature to even think about commitment, too lazy to put in the effort required to make a relationship work. Or that lately, relationships hadn’t interested him because he hadn’t found anyone he truly clicked with.
But what was the point? She obviously had her own preconceived notions about his player status, but he suspected that even if he’d been living like a monk, Darcy Grant would still find him unworthy of the coveted boyfriend status. He was just a punk from Southie, a far cry from perfect, saintly guys like AJ, who clearly made up Darcy’s “type.”
Enough with the self-pity.
The angry voice in his head gave him pause. Yeah, he definitely needed to stop all this internal wallowing. He might’ve been a punk for most of his life, but damn it, he was trying to walk a different path now.
AJ had told him to prove to Darcy that he wasn’t a screw-up anymore—evidently it was time to start proving.
“Look, I’m just trying to spare us from all the messy stuff that comes when people try to make things more serious than they are,” Darcy said softly. “I think the best way for this to work is if it’s a sex-only thing. No dinners or movie dates or heavy conversations about heavy topics.” Her gaze probed his face. “Are you okay with that? Because if you’re not, there’s no point in going forward.”
Was he okay with that?
Not fucking likely.
But he also wasn’t an idiot. If he so much as hinted that he wanted something more, he knew she’d shut this fling down faster than a health inspector at a restaurant with a roach problem.
Maybe he and Darcy had a future, maybe they didn’t. But he’d be damned if he didn’t give himself the opportunity to find out.
So like an obedient schoolboy, he nodded and said, “Sounds good to me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
He didn’t miss the flicker of relief in her eyes. “Okay…well, good, then.” She slid off the couch, distracting him with her naked body and the perfectly round ass she flashed as she bent over to pick up her clothes. “I’d offer to let you crash here, but I think sleepovers should be added to our no list.”
“Naah, I get it. It’s cool.” Reed hopped to his feet, unfazed by his own nudity, then gave an exaggerated stretch because he knew damn well that it caused every muscle on his chest to flex.
As expected, Darcy’s eyes glazed over as she stared at his body.
At least he had that going for him. The woman was wildly attracted to him, which was a damn good start.
As for her no list?
Well, he just happened to be a man who enjoyed a good challenge—and he had every intention of chipping away at Darcy’s reluctance until he turned every last no into an eager, resounding yes.
Chapter Ten
The following evening, Darcy walked into Sin through the staff entrance she’d used dozens of times before when she’d visited AJ at work. Tonight, she was still there to see him, except this was the first time they’d be seeing each other as dreaded Ex-Boyfriend and Ex-Girlfriend.