”“Bro -- you know what this means? You might be in the batter’s box but you’re about to hit a home run.”“Brian -- we are not in that kind ...f a relationship.”“There’s only one reason a girl invites you to her room -- to knock boots. Do you have protection?”“Protection?”“Condoms, jerk-brain. Nothing kills a tender moment like being without ‘em.” Brian opened a desk drawer and pulled a strip from a box. “Here -- take these.”“I will not need them.”“Better to have them and not need them than need. ." I hadn't even realized that I liked him until ... until..." She paused. Until that moment, she hadn't said the words out loud. She liked him. Part of her wanted to say love, but that was too strong a word for someone she felt like she had really only met this morning ... even though they'd worked together for three months now.Emily looked up, realizing that Heather's comforting words and rocking had stopped. Heather sat there in a daze, forgetting for the moment that her arms were entwined. When they lowered me, I collapsed in a heap on the floor, just resting and hoping my arms would recover from the suspension quickly. The assistant came to me and rolled me over to my stomach. My wrists were untied and then forced behind my back. I actually screamed at that point with the pain from my shoulders which had not completely settled back in place. My wrists were tied behind my back, firmly, and the remaining rope was looped around my neck to pull my tied wrists higher up. I grunted. The gears in my head started turning. "For what?" I asked. I had no idea.She opened my door and entered without asking. That was unusual. I was half dressed in jeans and socks. Being young and male, I had no sense of indecency being topless in front of her."Silly, you know you always spend time with John on Thursdays. I just figured since he was gone we could bond. You know, go get a pizza and a movie from Blockbuster's. Then we can come back here and stay up late and spend some quality time.