Before I can clarify, she lowers her gaze and continues, “Or was it because you could tell I have trouble with orgasms?”
I go still for a second, then cock an eyebrow. “Uh…I’m sorry?”Where didthatcome from?
“No, I mean, Ihavethem. But they aren’t very good. I usually fake it to spare the guy’s ego. And also because I don’t want him to keep going because it’s frustrating and it makes me want to take charge, but then… That’s weird for me, right?”
I stare at her. Sympathy and triumph tug at me from opposite directions. It’s criminal that a woman as beautiful and sexy as Klein has never had a great orgasm. But I want to crow that I’m going to make her feel damn good. “You’d better not fake with me. And you can take charge all you want—I won’t mind.”
“But wouldn’t that make me kind of slutty?”
I narrow my eyes. Where’s this coming from? Her shitty family, who’s done everything to bring her down? Her crappy exes? Either way, it’s infuriating. “No. I think it’s hot as hell.” I place a firm kiss on her forehead.
Her eyelashes flutter as she raises her eyes to meet mine. “Why are you stopping?” she whispers.
“Because, my dear Klein, you are adorably drunk.”
“I’m not.”
“Yes, you are. If you were sober, you wouldn’t have been so open and forthcoming.” I kiss the corners of her eyes. The soft vulnerability shining in their depths sends tenderness rippling through me. A need to turn that self-doubt into confidence and make her smile swells up inside. And the words roll from my mouth before I even really know it. “Ask me again when you’re sober, and I’ll make it so good you won’t be able to go a day without tearing my clothes off.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Ailee
“Ow.” I groan against the pillow in the cool darkness, then shift to get comfortable as something hard jabs into my ribs. The movement sets off a bunch of toddlers banging on drums inside my head. Or at least that’s how it feels.
So unfair. I didn’t even drink that much. The bottles were tiny, and the plum wine was too smooth and sweet to have much alcohol. I open my eyes gingerly, willing the drum beaters to settle down. On the nightstand are a bottle of water and a selection of aspirin, Tylenol and Advil.
Must have been Josh.This act alone makes him God’s gift to humanity. Practically groaning with appreciation, I down four aspirins and then take stock. I’m still in my dress from yesterday, and the bra’s digging into my chest—so annoying. And the fabric’s totally wrinkled, but maybe it’ll smooth itself out after a wash.
I massage my throbbing temples and try to recall what happened after Josh and I left the family dinner. We got into his car, and then…
Oh shit.My face grows hot with embarrassment.The singing.Josh joined in, but…Ugh. I don’t have the best voice, but when I’m happyanddrunk, sometimes I let go.
Note to self: Don’t get drunk in front of Josh again. Ever.
And… Oh my God. Did I make himcarryme? And then I told him about the missing underwear, and he offered to replace it.I press my fingers to my face, wishing it hadn’t happened. But nope. I even told him that I’ve never had a really good orgasm.
Ack!
I swallow a scream and flop back onto the pillows. I got so carried away after hearing Akiko say that if I wanted something, I should ask. It felt so liberating, full of potential. I felt like a lonely child given permission and encouragement to go out and play with the other kids.
But I shouldn’t have been so bold with Josh. What’s he going to think of me? How am I going to face him?
Ask me when you’re sober, and I’ll make it so good you won’t be able to go a day without tearing my clothes off.I roll over—slowly—and bury my face in the pillows.Holy shit.
If he hadn’t said that he wouldn’t touch me until I was sober, I might’ve done something I shouldn’t have. Like grabbing him and kissing him, with my tongue in his mouth. I want to see if the hot, shivery experience from our earlier kiss was real or a fluke, because that much chemistry hasneverhappened for me.
Okay. What happened when you’re drunk stays unremembered,I tell myself.That’s the only way you can act unaffected.
Still, my mind is going wild with things he could make me feel. If he could make me wet and wanton with just a kiss, imagine the things he could do with the rest of his body. He might prove that romance novel sex scenes aren’t all fake. Just thinking about it makes me fan myself.
I’m not sure what’s wrong with me, but something about him makes me want to let loose. He provides a sense of security I’ve never felt with another man. His words from last night actually seemed genuine. If I fall, he’ll catch me. If I make a mistake, he’ll make everything all right again. And throughout it all, he won’t judge me. My heart beats so hard, I have to press a hand over my chest.
My phone rattles on the table.Maybe it’s Josh.I take a deep, steadying breath and peek at the screen.
–Max: I thought I’d be in L.A. by now, but noooo! The fucker is taking me to Tokyo to make me work on some BS project. Can you be my alibi? I’m only going to murder him. Just a little.
–Me: LOL What’s “just a little?” You gonna just mur him? Besides, didn’t you say you wanted to go to Tokyo? Make it a semi-vacation.
