The seating area of my home was fitted with two large couches and a love seat. With Jess’ hand in mine, I guided her across the floor and gestured to the loveseat with a wave of my free hand.

“Have a seat. Relax.”

She sat and flashed a crooked smile.

Nervous, I sat down beside her. Instantaneously, I stood. I wasn’t accustomed to being nervous, and it surprised me that I felt the way I did. I decided it was further proof that I was doing what was best for both of us.

“Do you want me to get up?” she asked.

I rubbed my sweaty palms on the thighs of my jeans. “No.”

“Are you okay?” she asked. “You look sick.”

“I’m fine.”

She crossed her legs, and then looked up. “What are you doing?”

“I’ve got some things I want to say, and I’m trying to think of how to say them.”

“I do that a lot,” she said. “Just blurt it out. It works for me. It might not come out right, but I’m sure we’ll figure it out.”

With my eyes fixed on the tips of her shoes, I nodded. Then, I met her gaze. “I want to be in a relationship with you. Starting right now.”

“A relationship?” Her eyes shot wide. “A relationship? Like a real relationship?”

I gave a crisp nod. “Yes.”

Her excitement diminished. Her nose and brow wrinkled at the same time. “Like what we had?”

“No. An actual relationship. We’d be lovers.”

She leaped from her seat, and then quickly sat down as if she’d done something wrong. “Oh, my God. Really?”

“Yes.”

“You’re talking sex and everything, right?”

“Yes. But there are rules.”

Her eyes gleamed. “Like Kelli and Erik?”

“You little fucker,” I said with a laugh. “You read it?”

“I read it at my mom’s house. When I took the kids. I didn’t realize you’d released another book since Broken People until we met at the Donut Whole. After you said you’d written some more, I looked on Amazon and found it.”

It surprised me that she’d read the book. I found the fact that she wasn’t telling me how ridiculous it was to be comforting. Being in a vanilla relationship wasn’t something I wanted to do, and I doubted I’d survive any length of time attempting to do so.

“Not those kind of rules,” I said. “These are a little different.”

“But you’re Erik,” she said. “Or he’s you. You walk like him, you talk like him, you use the same expressions and phrases. He even asked Kelli the exact same questions you asked me on the night we met. He makes her walk on his left, too.”

“You’re right. He’s modeled after me.” I looked her over. I didn’t want to influence her response, so I asked the question without preceding it with an explanation. “Was there anything in the book that scared you?”

She shook her head. “Nope.”

“Are you sure?”

She grinned. “Positive.”

My level of excitement shot through the roof. She was truly a one of a kind woman, and exactly what I hoped she’d be.

“The type of relationship that Kelli and Erik had is what I prefer. Trying to do anything differently would be a stretch for me. Naturally, I’m exactly like Erik. I’ve been that way since I was old enough to even desire a woman’s company. Maybe since I was seventeen or so.”

Her face was painted with surprise. “Oh. Wow.”

“Does that bother you?”

“No,” she said. “It excites me.”

“Because you think it would be cool? Or fun?”

“No. Because I feel just like Kelli did in the book. I’m kind of like you, I guess. I’ve always been attracted to older guys, and I like it when they take charge. I like being told what to do, and then doing it. In the bedroom, you know.” She smiled a hesitant smile. “Not in the kitchen.”

“That’s perfect,” I said, my tone infused with excitement. “What you’ve described is exactly what I need to be completely comfortable in a relationship. If we agree to do this. I want you to know a few things about me.”

She rubbed her hands together feverishly. “Okay.”

“I’m a very caring man. I’ll never let anything happen to you. I’ll always protect you and the children. I’ll put you first and myself last. Always. I’ll never do anything to hurt you, mentally, physically, or emotionally. I’ll never raise a hand to you. But, I can be an asshole. No. I am an asshole. In one respect, at least.” I tilted my head to the side and raised my brows. “You can’t ever tell me what to do.”

“Okay.”

“I mean ever. You can ask me. You can make suggestions. But, no matter what, don’t ever tell me what to do when it comes to living life. You can tell me to pick up my clothes or that the grass needs cut, but not ‘Scott, you need to live your life like X.’ It’s a fault I know I possess. I’ve got to make my own decisions, or at least think I am. It might seem weird, but it’s a big deal to me.”

Worry washed over her. “What happens if I slip up? Is it over?”

I chuckled. “No. If it happens, I’ll simply remind you that you. Maybe when I do, you should try and remember that simply rephrasing what you want to say will work better with me. Saying ‘Scott, have you ever considered living like X?’ But, if you slip up, it’s certainly not a deal breaker.”

“Oh. That’s easy.” She grinned. “Is that it?”

“No, there’s more.”

“Okay.” She relaxed against the back of the couch and crossed her legs again. “I’m ready.”

She seemed excited and comfortable at the same time. It was nice to see her so at peace with herself.

“If we agree to do this, it’ll be no different than if we were married. It’s going to be you and me, and that’s it. I’m committed to you, and I expect you to be committed to me. The only thing we won’t have is a piece of paper saying we’re married. In my mind, at least, we will be.”

“I’m fine with all of that.” She looked at me like she wanted to eat me. “You don’t understand. You’re all I’ve thought about for the last few years. It wasn’t easy getting over you. I never really did, to be honest.”

I didn’t bother telling her I felt the same way.

“So, you’re okay with everything?”

She nodded, and then flashed a smile. “Yes.”

“There’s one last thing.”

“A contract? Like Kelli and Erik?” she asked excitedly. “A list of what’s okay and what isn’t? Lines that can’t be crossed? Like the night they were at Stearman Field?”

I laughed. “No.”

She scrunched her nose. “What is it, then?”

“For the first thirty days that we’re together, we’re going to spend every day together, if possible. We’re going to try to make ourselves sick of one another. We’re going to kiss, lay in bed naked, run through fields of sunflowers hand-in-hand, sleep together if we can, and wake up together. But, one thing we won’t do is have sex.”

Her eyes bulged. “What?”

I shook my head. “No sex for the first thirty days.”

“Why?” Her eyes went thin. “What did I do?”

“You didn’t do anything. That’s my rule. Take it or leave it. It’s not negotiable.”

She looked me up and down, and then locked eyes with me. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

I crossed my arms. “I sure am.”

She laughed. “I knew there had to be a catch.”

“Well. Are you in, or are you out?”

She smiled. “I’m in.”

I extended my arm and clenched my fist, holding it over her lap.

She looked at it, and then at me. “What’s that for?”

“Pound it,” I said.

“Why?”

“It’s our agreement,” I explained.

Her brows knitted together. “A fist bump?”

I gave a crisp nod. “It’s as good as a written contract where I come from.”

She twisted her mouth to the side and made a fist. Then, she pounded her knuckles against mine. “There,” she said. “You’re all mine.”

“You just made a deal with the devil,” I said.

“What does that mean?”

“You’ll find out,” I said with a laugh. “In thirty days.”