Roommate's Virgin

“Uh no,” mom said quickly. “And I think I should be the one to tell him.”

“Meaning… keep my mouth shut?”

“Please,” mom nodded.

I laughed. “Fine,” I said. “But there’s no reason to hide it now. Cliff already knows about the two of us.”

“You know your brother,” mom said. “He’s very protective… and he’s never really approved of my boyfriends.”

“Neither have I,” I pointed out.

“Which is why I didn’t tell you about Cliff either.”

“Ouch,” I said. “Not that I don’t deserve that.”

Mom smiled and moved towards the fridge to pack up the cupcakes for me. By the time I got my stuff together, she had everything all ready to go. She dropped me off at the station on her way to work, and because she was running a little late, she didn’t come inside with me. I managed to waddle up to the front of the station with the large box of cupcakes, but it was difficult to manage that and my book bag.

“Let me help you with that,” a deep voice said, and suddenly the burden of the box of cupcakes had vanished from my hands.

“Thank you so much,” I sighed, turning up to look at the man who had helped me.

I felt my breath catch in my throat as I took in his gorgeous features. He was an absolute Adonis. His hair was dark, almost black, and his eyes were a fierce and crystal-clear blue. He had a strong jaw that was clean-shaven and fine, straight features that made him look like he belonged to another time period.

“No problem,” he replied. “Happy to help.”

I hadn’t seen him around before, which probably meant he was a new firefighter… either he had transferred in from another department or he was a rookie. It was most likely the latter because he looked really young.

“I… um… I brought some cupcakes,” I said, tripping over my words because his eyes were so damn distracting.

“Oh… ok?” he said, and he seemed a little confused.

I smiled in embarrassment. “Uh, I just… we had an excess, and we thought… that is my mother and I… or rather it was my mother’s idea… she thought the firemen would like some… cupcakes, that is.”

I didn’t even know if I made sense. I probably sounded like a complete moron, but I couldn’t seem to speak in one coherent sentence. I wasn’t usually so tongue-tied… even when it came to handsome men, but somehow this time was different.

He looked at me calmly and smiled. “You have beautiful eyes,” he said, and I felt as though a bolt of lightning had just struck me.

5

Devlin

She seemed a little nervous to be talking to me. I had to admit; I liked that she was nervous. It meant that somehow my presence affected her and it could only affect her if she was attracted to me. Despite my cool demeanor, my pulse was racing on the inside.

She was a complete and total beauty. I had never been so taken with any woman at first sight before. She had dark blond hair that was long and silky straight, though it curled a little at the edges. Her eyes were a startling shade of green that made me think of sunny meadows and rolling hills and tropical summers.

“You have beautiful eyes,” I heard myself say.

I saw her blush visibly, and I felt a little spark of electricity hurtle through my body. It was the most visceral reaction I had ever had to a woman, and I knew nothing about her. She was a total stranger… and I wondered if this was what chemical attraction was all about. She made me want to paint… she made me want to create something as beautiful as she was, but I knew that I probably wouldn’t be able to come close to capturing her likeness. She was bigger than my talent.

“Thank you,” she said.

I didn’t bother to lead her into the station because it meant I wouldn’t be able to talk to her alone. But she seemed content to stand at the entrance with me. I had the box of cupcakes in hand, and she was carrying a book bag that looked heavy.

“I’m Devlin,” I said, balancing the box with one hand so that I could shake her hand.

“Zoey,” she replied.

“Are you in university?” I asked.