“Why not?” he asks, that cocky smirk lingering on his face.
I pout. “Because … well, because …”
“Is it because I’m a virgin or because I manage to do it without objectifying you?” he poses, leaning back and crossing his arms.
“Because I’ve already asked you to cut the mushy crap,” I retort.
He ignores me. “It’s because I respect you too much to throw out a ‘nice ass’ and leave it at that. And that scares you, doesn’t it?”
Lucky for me, Tenley calls everyone back to attention before I have to answer him. I’d still like to wipe the smug look off of Rowan’s face by the time we get through the next part of the session, though.
“For this activity, you’re going to brainstorm how you can make your spouse feel loved during those periods of abstinence. Abstaining can be very difficult for those of us who are wired to show or receive affection physically. It’s important to find other ways to fill your partner’s cup, or else you’ll end up in the maternity ward or the confessional more often than you hoped,” Tenley explains with a knowing smile.
Rowan glances my way, his confidence noticeably diminished. “I guess we should just fill in the chart for ourselves, since you’re not going to want to talk it out with me now.”
“What do you mean?” I ask carefully.
He lifts a shoulder. “I’ve already been pushing my luck all night. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable again.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Or maybe you’re the one who’s scared to admit what he likes.”
Okay, so passing up the opportunity to dodge this conversation was a dumb move on my part. But I can’t help wanting to push his buttons after he’s been practically slamming mine.
I can feel Tenley watching us as I tilt my chin up in a dare and Rowan’s brow lifts in response.
“All right, then. How about we each propose what we’d do to satisfy one another’s love languages?”
“Fine. I’m game,” I affirm.
“I should warn you, though, I’m kind of an expert at not having sex,” he counters, immediately biting his lip to keep himself from laughing. It doesn’t stop me from letting out a cackle and earning an eye roll from one of the other couples.
“Guess humor isn’t on her list, right?” Rowan muses. “But it’s definitely on yours.”
“So what? Are you taking me to watch a different stand-up comedian every month?”
He shakes his head. “Nah, just waiting until you least expect it to tell you that you have a nice butt. Or maybe I’ll deliver a dirty joke with a straight face under the most inappropriate circumstances.”
“And that’s supposed to make me feel loved and appreciated?”
“I guess that’s just for me, since I like earning one of your big laughs,” he replies, and I roll my eyes this time. “But if I made it cheesy and sappy, then it would be for you. Because deny it all you want, you like my corny lines. You want to be wanted, and you desiredesire. So even when I couldn’t have you, I’d make sure you knew exactly how much I was looking forward to the next time. Even after being married for dozens of years, I’d constantly remind you that I couldn’t live without you.”
I look away when an unexpected surge of heat overtakes me. “Nice try. But that’s more or less how you’d get me into bed, not how you’d keep me happy out of it,” I fib.
He hums, seemingly unconvinced. “Okay, then. You take a turn.”
I purse my lips as I try to imagine what would make a man like Rowan happy. But I haven’t known many men like him, and it’s been a long time since I’ve attempted to convey my affection without any physical advantages.
So what have I been doing or saying that keeps him coming backfor more, even without having so much as a kiss since the night we met?
“Acts of service,” I say coolly. “You appreciate being taken care of, which is why you’ve been looking for a sweet little trad wife.”
His mouth turns down slightly. “Maybe.”
“And you’d probably like it if I threw in some affirmations about how you’re such a good boy every now and again,” I add.
“Sure.” He nods, but he still seems downcast, as if he’s disappointed in my answer.
I sigh. “But if that stuff didn’t work, we could always sit and talk about our feelings, I suppose.”
