AllFreeNovel
Share Us
This woman was a virgin. He had no intention of taking her virginity, so there was no point going any further. His resistance was more effective this time. Tessa scrambled off his legs and stood in front of him.
“What is wrong with you?” she demanded.
So many things. But he wasn’t going to add “deflowerer of innocent women” to his list of dubious accomplishments, so he croaked out, “Nothing,” and pushed to his feet.
Tessa backed up and crossed her arms. “Well, you look like you were having a good time.” Her eyes dipped down to aim her gaze at his lap.
He fought the urge to shield himself from her sight. She probably understood what happened down there, anatomically speaking. Her brothers hadn’t mentioned anything about a convent education.
“I’m sorry, Tessa,” he said, holding up his hands in surrender. “I shouldn’t have come over. I’m honored, but…” He backed away, heading for the door.
“Honored? What the heck are you talking about?”
“Look,” he finally said. “I know, okay? I know.”
“Know what?”
“About your…” He made a vague gesture toward her middle.
Tessa shot an impatient glance down her body. “This is getting really weird, Luke. Just go.”
She’d given him permission to escape, but now he couldn’t move. Tessa’s sweet face was creased in a frown of confusion. He’d rejected her, and she didn’t know why. If she’d really wanted to have sex… Surely that kind of rejection could scar a virgin for life. What if he permanently damaged her blossoming sexuality? His mind spun with horror.
“Go,” she said. “I won’t jump you when you turn your back on me. Shoo. You’re free!”
He should never have come over. This was too much pressure. Luke turned up his palms in a helpless plea. “Maybe we could just watch a movie or something. Get to know each other as friends.”
Tessa drew herself straight and gave him a tight smile. “You seem like a really nice guy, Luke. Honestly. But I’m starting to get a weird Madonna-whore-complex vibe from you. And I don’t feel like watching a movie. Or pretending to be a saint. So I’ll see you around, okay?”
“Madonna-whore complex?”
“It’s a psychological term for men who—”
“I know what it is and I don’t have it!”
“Oh, come on. You think I’m nice. You’re honored that I’m sexually interested in you? And then there’s the pregnant woman you want to save. The first step is admitting you have a problem.”
He’d been cursed. He was sure of it. Cursed to never have a simple, straightforward relationship with a woman. But he was a willing participant, wasn’t he? He’d come over here knowing damn well that he shouldn’t. Then he’d kissed her because…just because he’d wanted it so badly. And she was way off base about his interest in her. He thought she was nice and he wanted to fuck her all at the same time.
Tessa growled and squeezed her eyes shut. “Oh, just go already! You look so cute standing there. It’s not fair.”
He could not leave like this. There were too many rumors floating around about him as it was. He’d be damned if he’d add sexual deviant to the list. Luke took a steadying breath, and he said it. “You’re a virgin.”
Her jaw dropped and she took a step back. “What?”
“Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but…I can’t pretend I don’t know. I’m sorry. This is incredibly awkward.”
Tessa uncrossed her arms and held her hands up in a calming motion. He recognized it because he’d used it a thousand times in his career. “Okay, I’m not sure what kind of fantasy you’re creating here, but I don’t want any part of it.”
“Fantasy?”
“Yeah, it’s a little early in this relationship for role-playing.”
“Are you kidding me? I stopped you!”
Her eyes slid to one side and then the other, as if she were searching for answers in her living room. “I don’t understand. Why would you think I’m a virgin?”
“Because your brother told me!” he snapped.
