Birthright

Maybe it’s a rich people thing, and Aunt Ginny was right about money being the pathway to a miserable life. I would have stayed at the place if it hadn’t been for my soaking wet dress, but it’s washable. I don’t think Nate could have stayed there through dinner at that point, and I just wanted him to relax a little. Inviting him back to my apartment was out of my mouth before I could think about the fact that I didn’t have much to eat at home.

“I can’t believe I made him a peanut butter sandwich!” I laugh and shake my head.

I start cleaning up, replaying the last part of the evening in my head. I remember the feeling of his lips pressed against mine and how the kiss had sent lightening bolts through my body, the strikes centering on my clit and causing me to unabashedly throw myself at him.

“I can’t believe I unbuttoned his shirt!” I feel my face heat up and wonder if I had made a complete fool out of myself.

I’d never done anything like that before. I’d always been fairly reserved on the first date, but Nate…Nate was different. For one, he was absolutely gorgeous. I’d never before been approached by a man who looks like him, and I have to admit to myself that his handsome features play a factor even if I don’t want to believe I am that shallow.

“Not shallow,” I mumble, “overly emotional.”

The conversation about family had nearly pushed me over the edge. I’m not usually one to cry in front of other people. I rarely even did it in front of my aunt. Somehow, the intense emotion had transformed itself from sorrow to lust. As I think about it, my face heats up.

“So embarrassing!”

Is that why he left? Was I so pathetically needy that I drove him away? What if he doesn’t want to see me again?

“But he wanted it, too.”

I remember the feeling of his hard cock pressed between my legs, and I shudder. Was my mind exaggerating how big it felt against me? My clit is throbbing at the thought, and I forget about the dishes and race to the bedroom and grab the little vibrator from the nightstand drawer. It takes less than a minute for me to moan Nate’s name in ecstasy.

I lie back against my pillow, still panting as well as feeling a little mortified about my eagerness. I’ve gone from not dating anyone seriously in a long time to being completely and totally infatuated with this man I hardly know—a man with some mystery surrounding him as well.

Vague family business, a murdered brother, obviously insane amounts of money if that car is any indication, and a perfectly charming, handsome, available man. That doesn’t really make sense, does it? He’s got way too much going for him to be picking up women in bars. Something about it doesn’t feel right.

Though I’m tired, my mind is racing too much for me to sleep, so I head back to the kitchen to clean up while I wonder about his previous relationships. He said he didn’t date much and confessed to never having had a bad date, but can that really be true? If his past dates weren’t bad, why did the relationships end? What about those girls hanging on him at the club? I should have asked him about them.

“You’re being paranoid. He’s been nothing but kind, and you’re trying to find something wrong with him. After I broke things off with her friend’s son, Aunt Ginny said I was just looking for excuses.”

It’s true. I know it is. It’s the same thing I’ve done since my relationship with Justin ended so abruptly. All my initial time is spent ignoring the obvious red flags in the name of kindness, and then when the warning signs don’t put me off, I look for faults so I don’t get too close.

“I came here to make some life changes, Vee,” I say. “I’m going to have to start with changing my attitude. Did you hear him? He said he’d help me with my search for my parents! Isn’t that awesome?”

A thought hits me, and my stomach sinks.

Is that why he left? Did he think I wanted to trade sexual favors for his help? Did I basically offer to prostitute myself, and the idea pissed him off? What if he won’t help me now because I threw myself at him like a horny schoolgirl?

“He wasn’t pissed off,” I say aloud. “He kissed me first, and he was hard as a rock. You can’t fake that.”

Despite my recent orgasm, I shiver at the memory of his long, hard erection pressed between my legs, and my breath quickens. I close my eyes for a moment and lick my lips. I can still taste him there.

As I’m washing the wine glasses, my phone dings.

Nate O: Thank you for the wonderful sandwich, Cherry. You kept a dying man from starvation.

I snicker.

You’re welcome. I’m sorry dinner wasn’t what you hoped for.

Nate O: I’m so sorry about the restaurant. I really wanted you to have a good time tonight.

Did he think I didn’t enjoy myself? Despite all the problems in the beginning, I thought the rest of the night had gone great. Well, aside from my emotional outburst.

I did have a good time.

Nate O: I’m glad to hear you say that. So did I. Now I’m sitting in my car, in the garage, wishing I had stayed with you.

My heart pounds as I read his words.