“Dan?”
“Lark, I…I’m… Well, I’ve never…” His head falls back against the chair. “Shit.”
My brain struggles to comprehend, but then it clicks. Does he mean...
“Never?” I whisper.
He slowly shakes his head back and forth. “Nope.”
“So you’re a…”
“I’m a virgin, Birdie.”
He says it quietly, calmly, and somewhat resignedly. Is he expecting me to be upset? I pull out of his arms and turn around to face him fully, crossing my legs so I can cup his face in my hands.
“Dan, there’s nothing wrong with that. Nothing. And I’m honoured you told me. Thank you for trusting me with that.”
His entire body seems to deflate with relief, and the sweetest little smile breaks free on his face. “That’s really fucking good to hear you say. And I trust you with my life, Lark.”
“Can I ask why?” I say, unable to hold the question back.
Dan just shrugs. “A bunch of reasons, but mostly, I never found anyone that I wanted to go there with.”
My stomach starts to sink until he reaches out and tucks my hair behind my ear, that sweet smile growing wider.
“Until I found you.”
Shock, warmth, anticipation, happiness, and instant lust all combine within me, until I feel like a puddle of emotion.
Me. I’m theone personthis beautiful, strong, kind man wants. I’ve never felt this before.
Wanted.
Desired.
It’s almost enough to make me want to rip our clothes off and give myself to him. But no matter how amazing it is to know that’s how Dan feels, I won’t let us rush this.
But surely…another kiss or two isn’t rushing it?
I’m leaning forward when I hear him groan.
“Lark, we can’t.”
I freeze. “Wh-what?”
His pained expression is the only thing that makes him stopping me any easier to accept. “You just, and I meanjustended a long-term, serious relationship. As much as I’m jumping up and down like a little kid on Christmas morning inside, I need to pump the brakes on this. I need you to be sure, really sure, that I’m who you want to be with. Because you say I could break your heart, well, same. You’ve had my heart for years, and you’re the only person who could destroy it.”
He’s right. I hate that he’s right, but he is. Moving too fast would be the worst idea.
“Okay, so friends.”
He nods. “Yeah, friends.”
I bite my lip, not sure if I should say the rest of what I’m thinking. But tonight has shown me I owe Dan honesty, above all else.
“Can we be friends who cuddle?”
This time the smile on his face is so big, it’s almost overwhelming. He grabs me, turns me around, and tucks me right back against his body. “Damn right we can be.”
