‘Okay.’ She pulled open the packet and took out the condom.
‘Okay, that’s the tip,’ he said, pointing to the top. ‘Make sure you?—’
‘Actually, it’s not strictly true that I’ve never done this,’ she said. ‘Just not on an actual person.’
‘Don’t tell me – a banana?’
She nodded. ‘A banana and a YouTube video.’ She had been practising for this very moment, so at least there would be one thing she could do.
‘Well, now’s your chance to try it out on a live human being.’
She grabbed his shaft firmly, placed the condom on the top and slid it down, pleased at how smoothly it went on. ‘I did it!’ She grinned up at him, proud of her success. ‘That was easy. It worked just like on a banana!’
‘Very good. Next time I’ll show you how to do it with your mouth.’
‘Oh!’ Her smile vanished. Just when she’d thought something was simple.
Luca laughed. ‘Don’t look so scared. It’s not hard. Unlike me.’
‘Are you okay?’ he asked her afterwards, as she lay in his arms.
‘Yeah… I’m fine.’
‘You don’t sound too sure.’
‘No, I am. It’s just…’
‘Come on – out with it. If you have any questions, now is the time to ask them. We may not be covering this again.’
Claire took a deep breath. ‘It’s just that I didn’t… you know…’ She flapped her hand, trying to find the word.
‘Come?’ Luca asked, surprised.
‘Yeah.’
Luca frowned. ‘Are you telling me you’ve started faking on me? I told you?—’
‘No, no.’ She shook her head frantically. ‘I wasn’t faking. That’s not what I meant. I did have an orgasm. I always do when you…’
‘When I finger you?’
‘Um… yeah.’
‘And when I go down on you.’
‘Yes. But I didn’t come when we were… when you were inside me. Not until you did… other stuff. I never have,’ she admitted, a little frown creasing her brow.
‘Is that what’s worrying you? That you don’t come when we’re fucking?’
‘Yeah.’ She sighed in frustration. She felt like she was flunking class.
‘That’s perfectly normal,’ he said.
‘It is?’
‘Yeah. Lots of women have a hard time coming from penetrative sex alone. Some never do. There are still lots of different positions we can try. But don’t worry about it. You have a good time, right?’
‘Yes, I have a brilliant time!’
