Page 305 of A Matter of Time

I lifted my chin out of his hand and sat there scowling at him.

“You are fuckin’ adorable.”

“Stop swearing,” I grumbled as he laughed at me.

As I sat across from him at the diner, slouched down in the booth, I was struck by how easily we had both fallen into our old patterns. Back together for mere days, we were acting like we had never been apart. It was, truthfully, a bit overwhelming. But I was trying not to dwell on it and freak out.

“What are you thinking about?”

I needed something that would give me a second to breathe. “Oh, I know,” I said, more to myself than Sam. “Tell me how many women you slept with while you were gone.”

“Why would you wanna know that?”

“Because I want to hear the body count.”

“You’re disgusting.”

“I know. Now answer.”

“Fine.” He shrugged. “None.”

“Any guys?”

“Yeah.”

“How many?”

“I dunno, a few.”

It was irrational, but I was very happy.

“Why are you smiling? That makes no sense at all.”

“I just didn’t wanna be the only guy you ever slept with, Sam.”

“Why the hell not?”

“Because if I was, you’d always be curious about what it would be like with other men. This way, you know.”

“Yep, I know.”

“And what do you know?”

“That it’s not the same as sleeping with you.”

I stared at him, my gaze unwavering. “It’s not?”

“No, J.”

“How come?”

“You’re fishing.”

“No, I just want to know what you mean.”

“It was just sex, J. I fucked those guys and left. They were all one-night stands.”

“You ever let any of them top, Sam?”