“I want every dirty detail.” Em pulls me inside and forces me to sit on the couch by pressing my shoulders down.
“There isn’t much to tell,” I say. “Damon found out I worked in the building, and that led to a meeting in his office. We shared some amazing kisses that led to dinner. He took me to his house, we kissed more, and he drove me home. That’s all there is to report.”
“Bullshit. He spent the night, and I walked out of my room to find you both nearly stripping each other naked in the living room.” Em crosses her arms in front of her and narrows her eyes. She tries to bully me into giving her more, but there isn’t anything else to share.
“We slept, Em. The plan was for him to tuck me in and leave, but he didn’t. When I went to the Philharmonic with him and his mother, I got angry with him for ignoring me. I had way too much to drink, and he ended up bringing me home, undressing me, and putting me to bed.”
“What? Did he do anything inappropriate?” She sounds indignant and angry. The one thing I can count on is Em having my back.
“No, he behaved, but he saw parts of me when he changed me, and I insisted on a do-over. Last night was it.”
“Go on,” she prompts.
“Em, there isn’t anything else to tell. We kissed, and he undressed me, then he spooned me, and we fell asleep. We didn’t have sex, although he wouldn’t have had to beg me because I more than want him.” I’m a twenty-three-year-old woman with two lovers and three experiences to my name. I want to end this dry spell and find out what all the hubbub is about.
“Tell me if I have this correct. You were naked in his arms all night, and he didn’t even try to have sex with you?” She shakes her head. “Something is wrong with that man. I don’t know any guy who can lie next to a willing woman and not want to … you know.”
“It’s not like he didn’t want to. He was totally aroused, but he didn’t want it to be like that. He said something about making our first time perfect. He considered me, and that felt good. Why didn’t you tell me how nice it is to sleep with a man?”
“It is nice, isn’t it?” She stares across the room with a dreamy look in her eyes, no doubt reliving a moment in her mind, and I bet it has something to do with Anthony.
“How are things with Mr. Haywood?”
“Oh, you know, the same old earth-shattering sex, titillating conversation, great food. Same stuff, different day.” She grins at me, then laughs. “It’s amazing. Where was this man my whole life?”
“Maybe the timing wasn’t right, and now it is.” I’m a true believer that things happen for a reason.
“Hmm, maybe.” She snaps out of wherever her head was. “Damon better treat you well, because if he doesn’t, I’ll hunt him down and hurt him.”
“He’s a good man, but he’s complicated. His brother died when Damon was twenty, and everything seems to stem from that tragic event. There’s so much I don’t know.”
“He’s not a puppy for you to rescue.”
“I’m not a puppy rescuer.”
“No, you’re right. You’re a people rescuer, and it looks like he’s your next project.”
“He’s not a project, but it would be nice to know what happened to him.”
“Have you considered asking him?”
“I’m not going to ask him. He’ll tell me on his own when he’s ready.”
“You’re patient and kind. I remember the little girl who held me night after night while I cried in her arms.” She looks sad at the memory. “I wouldn’t have made it through the death of my mother without you. You’ve always been an old soul, but I often wonder if you’re getting what you need from the people around you.”
“If I can get him naked and in bed, then I’ll be closer to getting what I need. We’re staying at his house this weekend. He has a theater, and somehow, he’s able to get a new release.”
“It goes back to, ‘it’s not what you know, but who you know,’ and Damon knows powerful people.”
“Do you have any advice for me? How am I supposed to seduce this man when he could have anyone in the world?”
“Look at you. You’re gorgeous, and what makes you even more beautiful is you’re not aware of how alluring you are. Men fall all over themselves when you’re around.”
“That is so not true, and you know it. Men steer clear of me.”
“No, they don’t. It’s that innocence that draws them in.”
“Em, I’m not innocent. I’ve experienced things.”
“Kat, do you really think banging that boy in the back seat was an authentic sexual experience? What was he, eighteen? He had no idea what he was doing. What guy takes his girlfriend out to a field and does it in the back seat? He could have at least laid out a blanket on the ground, but he was an idiot. You need someone to treat you right; someone who doesn’t want to have sex but wants to make love. I hope Damon is that guy.”
“Me too.”
“Damaged men can be difficult. Be careful, Kat.”
“Thanks, Em. I missed you, and I’m so glad you’re happy. It’s been a long time coming.”
She reaches up to hug me. “I love you.” She squeezes me tight before leaning back. “If Friday is the big night, we need to get you ready. Do you have birth control?”
“Yes, Mom.” I roll my eyes. “I started the shots last year when I thought things would go in that direction with Tommy. I get them regularly because I almost never have a period anymore, and I like that.”
“Until you know his sexual past, the rule is no glove, no love. Use condoms. I don’t want you getting an STI from him.”
“Good advice. What else do I need to know?”
“Make sure he satisfies your needs before his own. There’s nothing worse than a selfish lover. I’m not saying you have to keep tabs. It’s rarely a one-for-one deal, but it’s no fun if you’re the only one giving.”
“Got it.”
“Do you have a good waxer?”
“What?” I shoot her a look of disbelief. “What do I need a waxer for?”
“You want to keep yourself groomed. No one wants to make love to Sasquatch. Get it waxed or trim it up. I wax, but some people feel weird about having no hair.”
“I’ll trim.”
“Fine. What will you wear?”
“A dress? Whatever I wear to work is what I’ll wear to his house.”
“Nope. Bring a change of clothes so you’ll be fresh. In fact, let’s go shopping Thursday when you get home. A new outfit will boost your confidence.”
“I like clothes as much as I like food. Let’s get dinner too.”
Once the plans are made, I spend the rest of my night doing homework. I have three tests this week and haven’t devoted much time to studying. Damon and work are a distraction.
After three hours of writing and test prep, I pick up Bound and climb into bed.
The agreement between the characters heads in a kinky direction with him being the dominant and her the submissive. I finish the fifty pages, close the book, and ponder their situation. How much would I put up with to be with the person I want? Is it true there is a fine line between pain and pleasure? Can pain become pleasure? It’s an interesting question.