“Are you a virgin?”
I managed a sheepish grin with a shrug.
“Technically, not anymore.”
Dean blew out a breath, bowing his head.
“Fuck, Ruby.”
“It’s really not a big deal or anything—” I protested.
“Yes, it is. You deserve…” He trailed off and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m taking you home.”
“What? No! But we’re not finished.”
“Your first time should not be happening in a musty old clubhouse, honeybee,” Dean said.
I crossed my arms with a scowl.
“So, you’re saying it’s better to have sex with me under my dad’s roof? Would that make you more comfortable?”
Dean’s nostrils flared and he shot me a scathing look that clearly said,don’t be a brat.
“Yeah, I didn’t think so,” I said.
He leaned back against the door, folding his hands behind him.
“What happened?”
I blinked, confused.
“What do you mean?”
He gestured at me.
“Come on, honeybee. You’re cute and you know it. You’ve got a parade of boys following you around like lost puppies. When you bat your eyes and saypretty please,they’re lapping up every word, eager to do your bidding. So, how did you get here? A virgin, at twenty-five? Were you saving yourself?”
I glanced down, fiddling with the hem of my skirt. The empty ache between my thighs was torture. I wanted him to feel him inside me again, stretching me open, so perfect and thick.
“Not really,” I said. “It’s…it’s hard to explain.”
“Try me,” Dean said softly.
I sighed.
“It’s like a switch just shuts off. Sure, I like to flirt. That part is fun. And I like making out. Kissing feels…incredible. Amazing.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“It’s like…in my head, I want sex,” I admitted. “But when it’s time to actually do it, my body just…doesn’t want to. Guys look at me like I’m nuts when I say that. I don’t know. It doesn’t really make any sense, and I should probably just force myself to get it over with—”
“No,” Dean cut in. He stepped closer and cupped my chin in his hand, angling my head up to look at him. “Don’t force it. Ever. If you’re not ready, you’re not ready. You should honor that. Whatever your reasons. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.”
I smiled softly and curled my fingers around his wrist, turning my head to kiss his palm.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“What about now?” he asked in a quiet voice. “Does your body want this just as much as your head does?”
