“Silence,” I command, the word carrying the weight of countless backstage orders.
She nods eagerly, biting her lip.
I resume my exploration, working my way with deliberate precision, teasing and savoring every inch of her. She tastes sweeter than any groupie, any model, any actress I’ve ever had.
“Sam,” she whispers. “Please. I need you. I can’t…” The words catch in her throat. “I need you inside me. I need your?—”
“One more word and I stop completely.” My tone leaves no room for negotiation.
She nods desperately, and I continue my sensual assault. When I feel she’s ready, I sit her up on my perfectly made bed.
“Arms up,” I order. She complies, and I remove her dress in one fluid motion.
I quickly shed my clothes and climb on top of her, kissing her deeply. Her hands cup my ass, pressing my body more firmly against her with surprising strength for someone so small.
When she’s pliant and eager beneath me, I position myself at her entrance. I feel an odd resistance... “Are you okay?” I ask, propping myself up on my forearms.
“Yes, yes,” she says, her hands on my shoulders, pulling me back towards her.
I try again, nudging just slightly forward...
She gasps sharply, and not in pleasure—in pain.
Something primal in me stops cold. “What’s wrong?” I break my own rule of silence. “Tell me!”
“It’s okay. I’m fine,” she says, but her body tells a different story. Her muscles have tensed, her breathing shallow.
This isn’t normal tension or nerves. I’ve been with enough women to know the difference.
“Talk to me,” I say, pulling back to study her face. “A minute ago, you were in heaven. What’s going on?”
The dominant in me surfaces again, but this time protectively, rather than sexually. “Tell me what’s the matter. Why are you tensing up like that?”
She props herself on her elbows, her green eyes suddenly looking much younger. “I didn’t want to tell you. Everything was feeling so good, and it’s my birthday, and?—”
“What does your birthday have to do with anything?” Confusion mixes with growing suspicion.
She falls back against the pillows, covering her face with her hands. The gesture is so innocent it hits me like a punch to the gut. “You want the truth?” Her voice comes muffled through her fingers. “I’m a virgin.”
“What?” The word comes out harsher than I intended.
“I hadn’t planned on this,” she continues quickly. “At the noodle bar, you were so different from other guys. Understanding. You listened to my stories...”
She drops her hands, meets my eyes. “I thought maybe you could be the one.”
Something twists in my chest.The one.Fuck. I step back, reaching for my jeans, buying time while I process this.
Three divorces, countless groupies screaming my name, womenwho’ve literally thrown their hotel room keys on stage, and now this innocent girl wants me to bethe one.
“Bix.” I sigh. “Ten minutes ago, you said you understood this was a one-night-only kind of thing.”
“And I do!”
“You’ve got the wrong idea. I’m not here to deflower you or date you or…” The words sound harsh, even to my ears.
She stares at me, her eyes wide with surprise. And hurt.Goddammit.
Rafe’s mother’s voice echoes in my head. “You’re too suspicious, Sam. Always thinking the worst of people.”
