There’s a lot to unpack in that one sentence, so instead I blurt, “Mom suggested I study abroad and because it’s the one bit of freedom Dad gave me with my major, I leaped at the chance.”
He doesn’t need to know that I have ulterior motives. Seeing where my grandmother lived once upon a time has been big on my bucket list for a while. I can tell him anything, but this is something I want to keep to myself.
Not forever. Just for now.
“You know how to be treated by guys now, though, don’t you?”
The statement has me frowning because it’s obviously important to him. “Orgasms first, ask questions later.” When his lips curve, I shake my head. “You’re such a moron.”
“Your moron.”
I huff. “If I wear a ring, that doesn’t solve our equality problem. What areyougoing to do?”
He sits up, happy that I’m talking about the damn ring again. “Weekly blood tests?”
I sputter out a laugh. “EW!”
His nose wrinkles. “Too much?!”
“Yes! Anyway, I trust you?—”
“You do?” He breathes the words like I said something holy.
I pull back. “I… Shouldn’t I?”
“No! I mean, yes. I mean—fuck. I don’t know what I mean. I just didn’t think you would yet. Like, I figured you’d need some kind of grand gesture or…” He peters out. “I don’t deserve you, Denny.”
“Hush,” I chide. “I decide that. Not you or anyone else.”
His Adam’s apple bobs. “How about we both wear rings. In the interests of equality.”
I’m well aware that rings don’t stop hockey playersorpuck bunnies, but I wasn’t lying about trusting Zach.
You have to trust what a man shows you and Zach’s shown me nothing that makes me question him.
Still, I have to tease, “Aren’t you supposed to give someone a promise ring before you take their virginity?”
“Pecan’s not the only one who always rushes his assignments.”
“Can confirm, but you’re getting better.”
“Ouch! We could go to Madrid for the holidays. Together. See some of the sights as a couple.”
“That sounds awesome, actually. Mom wants me there for the day itself and I’d like to be there too, but after? Sure.”
Excitement gleams in his gorgeous eyes. “It’s a date.”
“No, it’s a vacation.”
“Our first one together,” he rasps as he kisses me, his dick hardening again inside me.
I bridge our fingers together. “I trust you, Zach. No rings. Just faith. How about that?”
When he pulls a face, I snicker, but he concedes with: “Now, before we move on to more orgasms, what’s your stake in our bet?”
The first thing that pops into my head has me blushing.
Immediately, his grin’s back. Cocky and self-assured. Any vulnerability having faded after our conversation. “Ohhhh. Now you have to tell me where your mind’s at. Seems like it could be dirty.”
