“I— I…”
My stomach was in knots. It felt like a hot knife, twisting around in my gut. A really weird feeling.
But at the same time, I sort of liked it.
“Yes,” I said at last, adding a nervous chuckle. “That would’ve been me. And I’m really sorry,” I added. “I totally didn’t mean to—”
“Please,” the velvety voice said. “Don’t be sorry. In fact, Corey and I were pretty excited to get your message. And especially your photos.”
My stomach lurched again, this time in a different direction. It was like being on a roller coaster of highs and lows.
“By the way, you’re very beautiful,” the man on the phone said admiringly. “And really sexy.”
The knife twisted again. The heat in my belly was dipping lower now. Dropping to a more dangerous, forbidden place.
“I— I don’t know if I really meant to send those,” I said hesitantly. “I mean, I was… it was really late, and I was thinking of… well…”
“Hey listen,” said Brody, “we totally get it. You were nervous. Apprehensive. Or maybe you had a few drinks, you were just lonely…”
Yes, I thought to myself. And yes.
“It’s all totally understandable,” Brody went on. “Sometimes things look better at night than they do in the morning.” He let out an honest laugh. “It’s all good.”
“No, no,” I jumped in. “It’s not like that.”
My whole body shuddered with excitement. I couldn’t believe what I was saying.
“I mean, it’s not that I wasn’t into… well…” I let out an exasperated sigh. “I guess…”
“You guess what?”
After another pause, I laughed nervously. “I guess I don’t know what I mean.”
My hand trembled. The phone felt warm against my ear. Long seconds of silence ticked by, and then:
“So you’re into it?”
My heart leapt into my throat. Of course you’re not into it! Tell him you’re not into—
“I— I really don’t know…”
Brody chuckled in a soothing, non-mocking way. “It’s okay, we get it. No rush here. This certainly isn’t something for everyone.” He cleared his throat huskily. “Let’s start with your name.”
Your name? I froze again. Don’t tell them your name!
“Lauren,” I blurted helplessly.
Idiot!
“Hmmm…” the voice on the other end purred. “Lauren’s a sexy name.”
I had to laugh. “I’ll bet you say that to all the girls.”
“Oh I definitely do,” Brody allowed, chuckling right back at me. “But in this case, fact is still fact.”
I couldn’t believe it. I was actually flirting with this guy! And he, of course, was flirting right back with me.
“Are you still in Vegas tonight, Lauren?” the voice asked, after another spat of silence.