BOUGHT NOT LOVED

NO-STRINGS-ATT

as he droned on about Freudian theory. Her mind was elsewhere, con

t shake the the feeling that she was setting herself up for disappointme

it was his quick wit or sense of adventure. What ever it w

f trepidation. What if Ethan turned out to be just like all other

ne. Alex had been hurt before, and she

began to form in her mind. What If she could have a rela

became. A no-strings-attached arrangement would allow he

could be perfect solution, a way to satisfy her desir

red by nagging voice of doubt. Was she really ready for a c

r mind, leaving Alex feelin

that she was playing with fire. A no-strings-attached arrangement s

out a message to Ethan. "Hey, can we talk about some

ately. " What's up?" he asked

hinking.... maybe we could keep things casual betw

sponded. "What do you mean by cas

really ready for this? "I mean no labels, no expectati

"I'm game if you are" he said

mixed with trepidation. What ha

lex couldn't shake the feeling that she was standin

l a sense of excitement and nervousness. She had never been in

Alex asked, trying to sound cas

mpany without any drama or expectation

see her. "I like that," she said, fee

eling more and more at ease. Maybe this casual

arting to relax, Ethan

"I'm not looking for anything serious. I've been burn

certainty. What as she

trying to sound calm. "I'm not loo

ood," he said, his tone relived. "

ex couldn't help but feel a sense of trep

ble with the idea of casual arrangement with Ethan. They would meet up

gs weren't quite as simple as she had thought. Ethan was charming and wi

ned to her and smiled. "You know, I really enjoy spending tim

njoy spending time with you too, Ethan

hear that," he said, reaching out to

that Ethan was starting to develop feelings f

sure. Part of her wanted to pull away, maintain the boundaries of their casual arr

rt pounding in her chest. She was torn between her

if searching for an answer. Alex felt

p back. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice low an

"It's okay," she said, forcing a smile. "I Just..

're not alone, Alex," he said. "I

ween them began to dissipate.

things slow," Ethan sugge

se of trepidation. What wa

eling off that she was playing with fire. But she was wi

A moment, huh? And how did

e to her cheeks. "It ma

htfully, "I think I

an eyebrow,

evous. "A friends-with-bene

d in Surprise. Wa

a crazy idea after all. A friends-with-benefits would allow her

be onto something

"I knew it! Let's go get some c

, Alex felt a sense of trepidatio

of determination. She was going to take control of her love life

with-benefits arrangement. "You get to have fun, enjoy each other's com

cons. It sounds appealing, but she couldn't sh

Alex asked, her voiced

going to get hurt, Alex. You're going into this

of determination. She

t, proposing the friends-with-benefits arrangement

nterested," Ethan replied. "But w

citement. This was it. S

d, her fingers flying

n," Ethan replied, "How ab

beat. Tomorrow night co