“Okay, so you kinda know me,” I say.
He nods, smiling sweetly as I place my hand over his and bring it down to the counter. We sit still for a moment, letting our words settle between us. I still can’t believe he’s asking what he’s asking.
“So, you want to…” I gesture between us and trail off.
“Yes.” A hint of a smile plays at his lips.
“Have you ever even…?” I trail off again. This is painfully awkward.
“Had sex?” he asks, his brows drawn down. “Yes.”
Well, that’s a relief. I don’t think I could handle being someone’s first. Not at my age.
What am I saying?
There’s no way. Simply talking about this insane notion is giving me anxiety. Is he serious? I wonder if I can talk some sense into him with logic.
A wave of tension runs through me, and I lean back to stretch, gritting my teeth. “I’m really not sure, Julian. What if you regret it or change your mind or something?”
He watches me. So calm and reasonable. “I’m not asking for anything beyond one time. Just one evening together, that’s it. I don’t even have to spend the night. I’m leaving for school in a few weeks anyway.”
My mind runs through all the reasons this is a bad idea.
“I’m a lot older than you.”
“I’m aware. That’s part of the appeal,” he says dismissively.
“You’re not here out of pity, are you?” I brace myself for his answer, but his eyes run pointedly down then back up my body as his gaze intensifies.
“No, Chelsea.” His voice is low and sends a flare of heat through me.
I take a moment to steady my breath and organize my thoughts again. “I know your mother.”
He shrugs. “Yeah, so do most of the girls I’ve dated.”
I frown. Touché.
“But what would she say? What would Gage say? Oh God, Gage. He could never find out.” I pull a face.
It sounds like I’m actually considering this.Am I actually considering this?
Holy shit.
His smile is reassuring. “Nope, I wouldn’t want that either. So no one else would know. We’d keep it between us, our little secret.”
He’s got an answer for everything, doesn’t he?
“You don’t have mommy issues?”
“No, ma’am.”
I sigh. Then I narrow my eyes at him. “You said this wasn’t spur-of-the-moment. So what’s special about now? Why are you approaching me now?”
He rubs his lightly stubbled chin, pondering. “Well, I’ve been eighteen since March, so I’m definitely a legal adult. But I figured you might be more comfortable if I was no longer a… high school student.”
I bark a laugh. Good lord. Yes, this man was inhigh schooltwo months ago. I let my face drop into my hands and groan.
“Geez, this is so insane. What am I doing?” I mutter.
