AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I poured two glasses of bubbly.
“Or champagne.”
“I’m nothing if not surprising.” I winked.
She took a long sip and settled back. I placed the second blanket over us. It was still dark, but there was a tiny sliver of daylight just over the horizon.
“So what is so amazing here?”
I jumped up and undid my belt buckle, unzipping my pants when she squealed and pressed her hand to mine.
She laughed, a giddy sound I was sure she didn’t make often.
“That isn’t the amazing thing.” She tensed and jerked her hand away, suddenly realizing she was an inch away from touching my package. And the longer she held her hand there, it was going to be a stiff package. “Well…I’m sure it’s amazing. I’m sure it’s adequate, but—”
“Adequate?”
“I…” She was cute when she was nervous, barely able to get her words out. For someone I was positive had mad skills in litigation, it was even more cute.
I did my pants back up. “Don’t worry. I figured we should at least check off two more items before I show you my penis.” I winked.
She let out a slow breath and her shoulders returned to their normal resting position. I hadn’t intended to freak her out so badly, but I made a mental note that she needed to be coaxed. Eased into it. And that was exactly what I was going to do.
Until her question knocked me off my game.
“Tell me about your family.”
I let out a heavy breath. I hadn’t intended on disclosing personal information. That wasn’t really part of the deal, but when I looked over at her, curious, accepting eyes stared back at me.
“Let’s see.” I ran my fingers through my hair and sat up, resting my back against the side of the boat.
“I was born here in Toronto. My mom met my dad through the industry. She was a porn star. They got married and stayed married for twenty-one years, until she died five years ago.” I looked away. “Breast cancer.”
A tiny gasp escaped from her lips. “I’m sorry.”
I shrugged. Unable to comment on the one key moment in my life that had ripped the ground out from under me. The one moment when I knew that giving someone the ability to break my heart was something I’d never do again.
“Did she…work…while they were married?”
It wasn’t pity in her gaze when she asked me that question, it was discomfort. She felt bad asking the hard ones.
“For a while. Once she got older…” I sighed. “You know how it is. Once you hit a certain age, the industry doesn’t want you anymore. She produced and did some consulting and mentoring. Helped my father run the company. Mostly she stayed home with me.” I laughed, remembering my unusual childhood. “I didn’t know any better.” I caught her gaze. “About what they did for a living.”
“It didn’t bother you?” she asked.
“Honestly? No.” I took a sip of champagne. “My parents taught me early on that porn is a business.”
She bit her bottom lip. I knew a question was brewing.
“Go ahead. Ask anything you want.”
“Have you ever…seen your mom…you know…”
I scrunched up my nose. “Will you think less of me if I say I have?”
Her hand flew up to cover her mouth.
“I was young. It was an accident. Someone left the wrong tape in the DVD player. They finally had to sit me down and explain things.”
