That gets my back up, and now I’m pissed. “Oh, I see. You thought the blond guy with muscles would just do you to what? Pop the top of your Willing Virginity? Rip off the bandaid?”
Her surprised face makes me reconsider my ire.
“Blond with muscles? Is that all you think you are?”
“Aren’t I? That’s all you see.”
“That’s not all I see.”
I fold my arms across my chest in a silent dare and brace myself for her answer.
“Yes. Your body is outstanding. A testament to staying healthy and pushing yourself to be the peak of physical perfection. But you’re also a loving father. A considerate friend. AnEinstein-levelgenius. And your sense of humor makes me laugh so hard, I get a stitch in my side,” Carolina points at my face. “And despite your tendency to ramble on about the most ridiculous shit on the planet, you’re the whole package. You’re the Holy Grail. The Unicorn I’ve been looking for. So, when I tell you I want you to take your pants off, drag me upstairs, and show me what the consensual sex looks like, I’m dead freaking serious!”
I cannot contain the smile that nearly breaks my face. For the first time in a long time, I run out of things to say.
So, I respond in a way she’ll understand my seriousness. A little something I picked up fromThe Princess Bride, our favorite movie.
“As you wish.”
Carolina sucks in a breath. I jump across the room, pick her up, and head for the stairs. I’m about to run up the steps to her bedroom when a knock on the door interrupts us.
“Room service!”
I press my forehead against hers. “I’ll get that. You go to your room and sit on the edge of the bed.”
Carolina raises her eyebrows. “You want me to get naked?”
“No. You got to open your present earlier. Now, it’s my turn.”
Carolina’s face flushes beet red, but she keeps staring at me until the room service waiter knocks again. She turns and darts upstairs as I head to the front door.
I accept delivery and give the waiter $100 to fetch something else from downstairs, telling him there’s another $100 in it if he’s back in 15 minutes. The man takes off like his ass is on fire.
I put the plates of food in the fridge and eyeball the remaining cans of Sprite in there. Carolina shared how she drinks the fizzy soda when her anxiety-induced indigestion rears its ugly head. I pause, thinking about what she told me about what Dash did to her. I also don’t know what her level of experience is. How far has she gone, sexually, in the past?
It gives me an idea, and I grab something out of the fridge.
The waiter knocks on the door with his assignment. I hand him the promised $100 bill. He happily heads toward the elevator. And I happily put the do not disturb sign on the doorknob.
Chapter 31
“Show me where to sign on the Sex Permission Slip.”
-Carolina
After what feels like an eternity waiting, Rand enters the bedroom carrying a box of condoms and something else. I can’t quite see what it is, but it doesn’t matter. He dumps everything on the dresser and moves toward where I sit on the edge of the bed.
He grabs my hands and pulls me to stand in front of him. “Are you okay?”
I nod.
“I need the words, Carolina,” Rand’s eyes widen. “Every step of the way, I want you to tell me that you want this.”
I nod again. “I want this, Rand.”
He strokes my arms as he slides his hands toward my neck, then brushes his thumbs across my cheeks. “You’re so beautiful. And brave. And smart. And I am incredibly honored to be here right now with you.”
“We’re not going on a quest, Rand,” I scoff, but his mouth covers mine, shutting me up.
