“Finn…” she murmured. “Go…go slowly. I’m new at this.”

He withdrew so quickly it felt like slap.

“You’re avirgin?” he demanded. From the tone of his voice, you’d have thought she’d admitted to being a mass-murderer or a three-headed alien.

“Yes,” she confessed. “But that doesn’t mean…”

She trailed off. He was shaking his head rapidly, his expression hard and set. He yanked at the silk scarves binding her to the bed, freeing one wrist and then the other.

“I can’t do this, Flora. I can’t be your first.”

Flora sat bolt upright, furious and hurt, as he slid off the bed and backed away. A look of deep regret burned in his eyes.

“You are a jerk!” she yelled at Finn as he swiftly headed for the door. “You are...an asshole!” Terrible language, but he deserved it.

He turned to face her. “I know I am,” he said. “That’s why I can’t be your first.” She picked up her shoe and threw it at him. It bounced off the back of his head. He didn’t even pause or acknowledge it, just walked out and shut the door behind him.