When I shift on the bed to face him, he gets to his feet. I roll my eyes and pat the bed.
“Sit down. I won’t maul you anymore.”
He doesn’t take his dark eyes off me as he gingerly sits again. “Okay, let’s try this again, but with words this time.”
“Can you explain why you’re so averse to fucking me?” I come right out with it. I’m sick of beating around the bush. “It’s just really confusing when you kiss me and touch me, yet you won’t let me go any further.”
He nods and runs his hands through his hair again. “Lass, there’s something we need to talk about before we take that step.”
“Oh my god, you’re fucking married, aren’t you?” I jump to my feet and start pacing. “It makes so much sense! A hot guy in his late thirties who’s also single?” I stop pacing and look at the ceiling. “I’ve been the other woman!”
“What? No!” He grabs my hand and pulls me back to the bed. “Ach, it’s nothing like that. Stop writing stories in your head.” He eases me into his arms, and I can feel the truth in his words.
“So if it isn’t another woman, what’s the hold up?”
“I just . . . I can’t be with you in that way until?—”
“The other man in my life is gone?” I sigh. “I figured you wouldn’t be interested in sharing me.”
He opens his mouth to argue, but I place a kiss on his lips.
“No, I understand. You don’t have to say anything. I’m being too pushy, and I have no right. I mean, you’ve been understanding enough, and I haven’t even considered that you might not want to double dip.”
“You aren’t an inanimate object, lass,” he whispers. “Don’t think of yourself like a pot of food on a party table. You’re a woman. A beautiful, witty, infuriating woman. While I don’t like to share, I like degrading someone I respect even less, so no, I don’t think of it as ‘double dipping.’ I won’t say the other man isn’t a problem, though, and that’s what I want to talk about.”
My heart shatters in my chest. “Aven, I can’t make this decision without all of the information.”
“Jesus fuck, would you stop talking and just listen to me for a moment? I’m trying to?—”
“No, this isn’t fair to you. You’re right. If I can’t make this decision without fucking you, then it just reducesyouto an inanimate object.” I shake my head and stand, disgusted with myself. “I’m sorry I even came over here now.”
“Lass, that’s not what I was saying. Just sit?—”
I hurry to the door, embarrassed. I should have just stayed in my room. What a mess. As I rush into the hall, I bump right into Frankie and Maverick.
Aven’s footsteps sound behind me, and his door clicks open, but I don’t turn to look at him. I’m too ashamed. I fear that if I look at him, I’ll burst into tears and everyone will know how stupid I am. Instead, I turn my attention to the couple and pray Frankie saves me somehow.
“Don’t you two look cute,” I say. “Where are you headed?”
Maverick tips his black ball cap at me. “I’m headed to the pool to have a soda with Ice Pick, and Frankie is headed to the room to do something for work.”
I turn to Frankie. “Mind if I tag along?”
“Not at all,” she says with a welcoming smile. “Though, I don’t know how interesting it will be. I just have to make a note in a file.”
Aven clears his throat behind me, and the other two give him their attention. I continue to give him my back, still too embarrassed about what just occurred.
“Didn’t you want to finish our conversation first?” he asks behind me.
I shake my head. “Nah, we can talk later. But you’ve given me a lot to think about.”
Frankie reads between the lines and grabs my hand. “She’ll be safe with me, Aven.” He tries to debate, but she gives him a wave, and we shuffle off. “We’ll be fine, and I’ll bring her back in one piece,” she calls over her shoulder
“Thank you,” I whisper.
Frankie smirks. “Don’t thank me yet. You aren’t off the hook until you tell me everything.”
“Trouble in paradise has never been so orgasmic,” Frankie says as she punches some inputs into the simulator’s keyboard. “Now let’s see if this baby can help you more than the idiotic men can.”
