“Excuse me?”
“I’m curious. There’s no wrong answer—” Laughing, he ducked as she threw a balled up napkin at him.
“Insensitive prick.” But she was laughing too.
“Sorry. I couldn’t resist.” He lowered his voice and leaned forward until their foreheads were practically touching. “Oh and my prick’s very sensitive, I assure you.”
She rolled her eyes and popped a broken piece of crust in her mouth. She also didn’t try to put more space between them. “If I answer that, you have to answer a question of an intimate nature.”
The gleam in her eyes made him decidedly nervous but he couldn’t say no. “Deal.”
“I wouldn’t swallow with him because his stuff smelled like pool cleaner. Normally I have no problem. My turn.”
He smothered a laugh in his fist. “Shoot.”
“Why did you have such a long dry spell? It’s not like you’re ugly or anything.”
He ran his fingertip around the rim of his mug. “Maybe I was afraid I’d become addicted and wouldn’t be able to stop.”
“Well, duh. That’s how it’s supposed to feel. So good you want to die.”
Her easy acceptance made him want to tell her more. All. His virginity seemed like a deterrent to the kind of relationship he’d always yearned for: sex and companionship without anything messy to get in the way. He already had a family to support so he wasn’t necessarily looking for someone else to worry about and protect. But that didn’t mean they couldn’t have a good time together, become friends and enjoy the physical side too, for as long as it lasted. No strings. Uncomplicated.
Of all the women he’d met, Kim seemed most likely to appreciate that sort of setup. If only he wasn’t a fucking virgin. That changed things. Gave them unintentional weight. Most likely she’d assume he was religious and wanted to marry the first girl he boned or else she’d figure he was all kinds of screwed up. She’d probably find it insane that he’d been faithful to a woman who was his financial provider and as time passed, little else. But he’d promised Roch he wouldn’t stray and he hadn’t.
Still hadn’t, more than a year after her death. Until last night.
“It’s not only that I’ve had a long dry spell. I haven’t had that much experience,” he hedged, the truth close enough to taste. Far enough away he couldn’t force it out. What did it matter, really? If they became intimate, his virgin status would no longer be an issue.
She gave him a sly smile. “You’re damn good at working your cock.”
Even without seeing his own face, he knew he’d blushed as red as the pleather seats underneath them. Heat scalded his neck and ears. So freaking embarrassing.
“God, you’re cute.” Her smile widened. “I’m going to hell for corrupting you. I can’t believe I’m saying that to a guy I watched nude model and mutually masturbated with but there you go. Strange days, my friend.”
Sensing his chance, he pushed aside his practically untouched pie and grabbed her hand. “What if that invitation to hell came engraved in gold?”
“Come again?”
“We’re friends, right? You said it yourself. And friends do things for each other.” To each other, he added mentally. “You don’t seem to want to go out with me on an actual date. So we should consider other options for getting to know each other.”
“The two times we’ve visited this diner don’t count as dates?”
“They do but I want more.”
“Of course you do.” Using the hand he wasn’t holding, she pulled another napkin out of the dispenser since she’d fashioned hers into a weapon. “Look, I’m not real good with emotional blackmail. It gives me hives.”
“What if you enjoy what I ask you to do?” He hoped she would. She’d seemed to enjoy their first night together but there were no guarantees that would continue.
“I’m listening.”
“I told you I’ve had a long dry spell. And when you’re trying to get back into the dating pool, lack of experience makes things awkward.” He took a deep breath. “I’m asking you to…corrupt me. With my full permission.”
Chapter Six
Michael expected her to say no. The odds were extremely high. They barely knew each other and he’d basically asked her to fuck him blind.
So when she tilted her head and studied him with her sultry eyes before giving him an almost imperceptible nod, he couldn’t speak. Could barely breathe. “Really?”