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She nodded, a wistful smile on her face. "I did. For a while, at least. I worked odd jobs here and there to pay for my travels. And then I met Nolan and settled in London."
"Your ex," I said quietly, not wanting to say his name out loud, fearing it might somehow trigger Ariel.
"Yes," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Nolan was... is... a writer. We met through our agent, who lives in London. I was working at a bookstore at the time, and I helped set up his event."
"So what happened?" I asked, scooting closer to her on the bench. I wanted to reach out and take her hand, but I wasn't sure if that would be crossing a line after asking about Nolan. So instead, I just sat there with my hands clenched into fists, waiting for her to continue.
"What happened is that Nolan turned out to be a cheating bastard - with his dentist of all people," she said, her voice shaking. “Can you believe that? I was devastated. And that's when I left London and came back to the States."
"I'm sorry," I said, reaching out to touch her hand. However, I had a sneaking feeling there was more to the story than she let on.
Ariel took off her headband. As she shook out her hair, it parted down the middle. One side then fell over her face like a curtain. When I tucked her hair behind her ear, she turned into my hand and brushed her cheek against my palm. "Are you alright?" I asked.
Nodding, she gestured to the Aquatic Adventure sign. "Can we take a ride on the glass bottom boat? I've never been on one before... I've only seen pictures of reef fish."
"I don't know," I playfully teased, trying to improve her spirits. "Isn't it a little too touristy? And besides, I think it has glass walls too. What if they break?"
She elbowed me in the ribs, and I pretended to be wounded. "Okay, okay," I said, throwing my hands up in mock surrender. "Let's go."
We got in line for the boat and were soon seated side by side, our knees touching. As we pulled away from the dock, Ariel's face was pressed against the glass. She was like a kid in a candy store, oohing and aahing at the sights around us.
I leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Having fun?"
She nodded, her eyes still glued to the fish weaving in and out of the coral. But I noticed a small smile playing on her lips and I knew that she agreed.
Still watching the fish intently, Ariel placed her hand on my thigh. "We broke up because I wouldn't have sex with him."
I sucked in a breath, unsure what I had heard her say. How could that be nowadays for a beautiful woman like Ariel? "Oh, I see." I managed.
Her voice was so soft I had to strain to hear. "I like those." She giggled and pointed to a school of small fish darting in and out of the corals.
"The beauty of nature is amazing," I replied, wrapping my arm around the back of the seat and lightly patting her shoulder."
"I didn't want to give myself to a man that only wanted sex." She whispered.
I leaned closer, hoping maybe God had heard me after all. "No one should be in a serious relationship just for sex."
"Some people are."
"Yes, that's true. But most of the time, it's been my experience, at least, that the couple agrees that's what they want and aren't looking for anything long-term."
"Friends with benefits?" She scowled, glancing at me quickly before turning back to the window.
"Yes. That's right." I nodded.
"Is that what you like? A friends with benefits set up?" She finally turned to look at me with a coy smile.
"Ariel. Let me be honest here. Yes, there have been times that's all I wanted. I'm sure Meagan has told you all about that. I mean, she set me up with some of those types… sex only."
She raised her brows in surprise. "No, Guy, Meagan never mentions you to me. Only at the birthday party… and then at my apartment."
I repositioned my arm, so I could turn to face her. "Regardless, I'm several years older than you, and frankly, I'm burned out on that kind of thing. Now, don't get me wrong. I love to have sex… but…."
"Guy, I need to experience it. Sex, I mean. I have nothing to compare it with one way or another." She said, laying her head on my shoulder.
Trying my best not to suck in a deep breath that would give away my surprise at what she was saying, I pulled her closer and asked. "So, what you are telling me is that you're a virgin?
"Yes, and I want you to take… to show me what I've been missing." She said, looking up at me with wonder in those sparkling eyes.
