Page 18 of About That Pact

The words kept pouring out of her mouth. She’d admitted too much and there was no way to take it back. When the silence became overwhelming between then, she continued…just to fill it.

“It isn’t like I’m opposed to Honda Civics or anything. They’re nice enough cars. Reliable even. In the two years I was with Adam, at no point did he ever have any car issues.”

She paused, but when she glanced at Rafe, he had a judgey look on his face. He must not have believed her fanfare about Civics. This only made her talk more.

“Okay, one time, he got a flat tire. But it isn’t like Honda makes the tires. So, it wasn’t a car issue at all. Yep, always smooth sailing…or driving, in this case.” She was one second away from honking at him. “Do you like cars?”

“Where do you want your first time to be?”

“Okay, so we’re going back to that?”

His green eyes twinkled. “While you couldn’t stop rambling about Hondas, all I was thinking about was how Adam messed up big time. Fess up, what’s your best-case scenario for losing your virginity?”

Charlotte sat for a minute, deciding whether she wanted to tell him the truth. He’d always kept her secrets, so it wasn’t like he would blab to anyone. This time, though, her secret was a lot more intimate.

“You have everything planned to a T. This can’t be any different,” he said, urging her on.

This was true. She would tell him, but just leave a few important details out. That was only to protect herself.

“For starters, I would want to want to do it. Like, Adam was a great boyfriend and all, but there was never any big spark. A kiss was just a kiss. I was never dying to see him with all his clothes off.” She cringed at the thought. While Rafe was twenty-one and deliciously filled in, Adam was eighteen and not a fan of exercise.

Rafe gripped the hitch of the truck, but she rambled on.

“I mean, we did other stuff, but I never got what the big deal was about hooking up. I think Sex and the City lied about what an orgasm is all about. You know, networks will do anything for ratings.”

His silence was something new between them, but it wasn’t like she could stop the wreckage of this conversation.

“Honestly, if I am going to do this, lose my virginity, I at least want it to be as good of an experience as it can be. And without being too much of a kiss and tell, Adam was not going to make it a fun time. I don’t have this idea I need to give my v-card to my future husband, but I would like to hand it to someone who makes me not want to say no.”

He eyed her curiously at all her word vomit.

“That was a huge overshare. You either need to tell me how you lost your virginity to make us even or change the subject immediately.”

His emerald eyes against his tanned skin and dark hair were a breathtaking sight. She had known him her entire life, and he’d always made her heart flutter when she looked at him. Right now, it was the first time he had ever looked at her like this…like maybe he was noticing her in a different light.

“Please say something,” she begged him.

“Sex and the City wasn’t lying. I lost my virginity when I was seventeen, in my parents’ basement. I am not changing the subject.”

His voice gave her goosebumps. She should have changed the subject herself, but she feared her voice would betray her. She was flustered at his Sex and the City comment. She was imaging sex with Rafe and how good it would be.

“Let’s make another pact.” Rafe was nothing but confident as he spoke to her.

She hummed lightly, still thinking about Rafe’s experience with sex.

“When you are ready to have sex, and if you want it to be with someone who will make you believe in all the hype, you’ll come to me.” His eyes were heated.

She shook his hand, trying to downplay how fast her heart was racing. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

That was what she’d been waiting for. Rafe Bianchi and her first time. It was how she had always imagined it—with him.

Chapter 7

RAFE UPLOADED HIS weekly blog. He was a journalist for Lifestyle Magazine and was able to write on any subject considered to be a hot topic or a response to fan mail. Sometimes he had to take direction from his manager, but it didn’t happen often. As long as the message was catered to the brand of Lifestyle, he had free reign. This week, he gave advice on how to have a bachelor pad that wasn’t cringeworthy. His work email was filled with messages asking him for advice on how to go from beer bong tables and movie posters to matching furniture and a hanging tv.

An easy assignment was much needed, because for the past two weeks, his mind had been distracted by a sexy blonde named Charlotte. She still owed him four favors, but after the last time they saw each other, he had to play it cool. Bringing up when Charlie lost her virginity hadn’t been a smart move on his part.

He hadn’t been able to help himself. Ever since it was suggested he write an article on being single in his thirties a couple months ago, it became obvious to him something was missing in his life. He loved the freedom of setting his own schedule and working wherever there was a Wi-Fi connection. He hardly ever complained about the easiness of the casual relationships he was prone to.