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“I don’t know. He didn’t say.” That was a good question, but I figured I’d be safe wearing jeans no matter where we sat.
“Well, be sure to take a warm jacket, honey. You know how cold the peninsula can get at night, especially this time of year.”
“Yeah, I know. I should get going if I’m going get home in time to shower and change. And I don’t want to get caught in rush hour traffic.”
I had three hours, but still, by the time I got home, it would be close to five, and I needed a shower. I’d left this morning without taking one because I hadn’t wanted to wash any remnants of Asher off me. I know that might sound nasty to some, but knowing it would be the only time we ever made love…I just couldn’t bring myself to remove the smell of him. Not yet.
I wanted to take my time, sit in the tub and shave my legs, curl my hair. I wasn’t sure what to expect on this date. I was excited about seeing Adam Levine, but I couldn’t stop the jitters from exploding inside me at the prospect of what might happen after the concert. Would Alex be as good as Asher was? Crap, there I went again. Would I always be comparing every man I slept with to Asher? I hadn’t considered that before. I bet Ash had known that would happen.
I kissed my mom goodbye and took off in my car.
I was lucky not to hit any traffic, and when I got home, I hurried up the stairs, passing Asher’s open door. I couldn’t help but peek in. There he was, sitting on his sofa, beer in hand and a football game on the TV.
“Hey,” I said.
He looked up. “Hey. You just getting in?”
“Yeah, I was at my mom’s. I gotta go.”
“Wait. Where are you going?” He set his beer down on the coffee table in front of him.
“I need to get ready. I have a date with Alex, remember?”
“You’re still going?” The incredulous look on his face made me mad. What did he expect? He’d said we would only be together that one time. He’d made up the rules. I had no choice but to live with them, and I had already made this date. It wasn’t my problem that he didn’t like Alex.
“Yeah.”
“I just thought that since…well, you know. I thought you might change your mind and not go. You’re not a virgin anymore so why go out with him?”
“It’s Maroon Five, Ash, and I never said that. You said you didn’t want Alex to be my first. And now he won’t be.”
“I still don’t think you should sleep with him.”
“Why, Asher? Why shouldn’t I sleep with him? Give me a good reason.”
“He’ll hurt you.”
“I’m a big girl. I can handle it. You can’t tell me who I can and can’t fuck.” I turned and took off to my apartment, not waiting for his response. Last night had been nothing more than fucking to him, and I didn’t want to stand in the hallway discussing my sex life.
I took a quick shower and quickly shaved my legs and underarms. I’d lost my mood for soaking in the tub. Asher made me mad as hell. He had no right to tell me that I shouldn’t go out with Alex. There was only one way I’d ever allow a guy—even Asher—to dictate whom my sexual partners might be. And that was if we were in a real loving relationship. And Asher and I definitely weren’t. He’d made that totally clear last night before we had sex. I couldn’t even think of it as making love anymore, because it wasn’t. I knew that now. That fantasy was over. It had been fucking. That’s all.
Just as I was putting the finishing touches on my makeup, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to find Alex standing there. A broad smile on his handsome face turned to a semi-frown when he noticed the mascara tube in my hand. He was fifteen minutes early.
“Oh. You’re not ready yet. Sorry, but I thought I’d better come a few minutes early. I heard there was an accident on the freeway.”
“Okay. I’m ready enough. Just let me get my coat.” I set the tube of makeup on the bathroom counter and adjusted my thong underwear, the underwear I should have been wearing last night. God, no wonder Ash only wanted that one time. I’d been wearing ugly, white, granny panties. I grabbed my coat from the hook and as I turned to lock my door, I heard Asher’s apartment door open. He walked out into the hall. Perfect timing. I bet he planned it.
“Hey, Ash, what’s up?” Alex gave Ash a nod.
“Nada. Mel, I’m glad I caught you. I’m gonna need your help tomorrow getting the rest of my mom’s stuff together.”
“Sure. What time?”
“Early. Around six.”
“Six? Why do you need to go that early?”
“I just do. I have a busy day tomorrow. So, I’ll wake you up sometime before that. I assume you’ll be home?” This he asked while giving Alex the evil eye.
