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“What’s the story with the ring on that necklace?”
“It was my grandfather’s. It’s my most prized possession, so I don’t travel without it. It’s sort of like a good-luck charm. He gave it to me when I was sixteen. My grandad was ill and knew he didn’t have much time left. That was a ring he’d always worn on his pinky finger. He told me to wear it around my neck as a reminder of him. I feel like it brings me strength in times when I need it.”
“That’s amazing. I’d wondered if it had significance…”
The drawer beneath it was partially open.
“That’s quite a box of condoms in there. Can never be too careful, I guess?”
Leo’s face turned beet red—like I’d never seen it before.
He gritted his teeth. “Fucking Sigmund.”
“It’s no biggie. Every guy has condoms in his drawer...”
“Maybe. But not every guy has a box that’s large enough for a small village. I didn’t put those in there. My idiot cousin bought that box as a gag gift going into this weekend. I gave them back, but he must have put them there and conveniently left the drawer open. Probably hoped you’d find them.”
“Where the heck did he even get a box that huge?”
“BJ’s, of all places.”
“Sig is probably the only person on Earth who might actually need this many.” I gathered my courage for a moment.
Leo read my mind. “You look like you have a question.”
“I’m curious. Have you been with anyone since you’ve been in the States?”
Leo blinked a few times. “One person. When we were in California the first month. It was just a one-night thing. No emotional attachment. It didn’t mean anything, and I was careful.”
“You’ve said you’ve been with a lot of women…” I felt my face heat up. “I’m sorry. I didn’t plan to have this conversation now. I’ve just been wondering about it.”
Leo sat down next to me. “Look, I’ve told you before that you can ask me anything, and I’ll tell you the truth.” He sighed. “I’ve never counted. But I’ve never had unprotected sex. Not even once. And I get regular check-ups to be on the safe side.”
“Okay,” I said, relieved that he’d offered that last bit of information.
He stared off. “I think it’s around twenty-five girls I’ve been with, if I had to estimate. I had the one girlfriend in high school, and there have just been casual hookups since then—mostly women who’ve wanted more from me or wanted to sleep with me because of my status. I’ve been ultra careful because I know that for many of the women back home, there are big incentives to trap me. I’ve been a bit fearful during every sexual encounter, to be honest. I’ve always insisted on using my own condoms—things like that. I never trusted that someone wouldn’t tamper with them. Does that sound crazy?”
“No, it doesn’t sound crazy at all. I wouldn’t trust anyone, either, if I were you.”
“I can’t remember the last time I fully let go during sex, just allowed myself to be completely lost in someone. There’s always a bit of anxiety putting a damper on things.” He paused, his eyes searching mine. “When was the last time for you?”
Ugh. Now it was my turn to stop and calculate. There certainly weren’t that many. “It’s been a while…”
“Yeah? How long?”
“Well, I’ve already told you I had two relationships. My first time was with Matt, and then my college boyfriend, Finn. After that ended, I wasn’t with anyone for a long time.” I paused, my palms getting sweaty. “About a year ago, when I was still living in Boston, I just…really started to miss sex. So I hooked up with someone I met online who said he was only interested in a one-night stand. I was safe, of course, but it had been so long, and I needed it.” I exhaled, not sure why that was hard to admit when Leo was far more experienced.
He let out a shaky breath. I couldn’t tell if he was upset or turned on by what I’d just admitted. Then he asked, “Did that…scratch your itch?”
“It did, I suppose. But there’s been no one since. So, it’s been a while.” I shook my head. “I can’t believe I just admitted that to you.” I started to look down but felt his hand on my chin.
He brought my eyes to his. “Why?”
“I don’t know. I don’t want you to think I take it lightly or something.”
“You shouldn’t feel ashamed. You’re human. You have needs.” He lowered his hand to my leg. His voice grew thick. “Do you want to know what I really think about it?”
“Yes.”
He squeezed my knee. “Okay. Of course, I don’t love thinking about you having sex with some strange guy. But I find it incredibly hot that you knew what you wanted and let yourself have it. You come across as a bit reserved, but I think there’s a wild side in there somewhere. And I’m here for it. I’m so fucking here for it.” He leaned in and kissed my neck.
