Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 113880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
“Does size matter?” he grins. “In your experience, of course.”
I’m immediately defensive of Allie, wanting to step in and tell him to mind his own business. She’s not here to divulge her sexual history. She didn’t sign up for that, so flipping the question on her isn’t fair or right.
“Theron,” I warn.
Allie quickly responds by resting her hand over Poseidon, covering his eyes and immediately pressing calm into my skin. “It’s okay,” she says softly. “I was waiting for someone to ask me, and not relishing the prospect.”
“How come?” Gabe asks, leaning forward.
“Because asking questions is much easier than answering them,” she says, her arms folding over her chest. That one gesture says it all. “But I know it’s not fair to expect you to be honest with me if I can’t be honest with you.”
“So you’re going to spill the beans?” Jimmy asks.
Allie blows out a puff of nervous air and shuts her eyes for a couple of seconds. When she opens them, her back stiffens. “I don’t know the answer to the question, Theron, because I’m a virgin.”
And just like that, the whole room is stunned into silent shock.
ALLIE
The truth is out now, and as I suspected, my revelation has been met with shock and awe. Jaws are slack. Mouths are hanging open like dehydrated mutts in a Texas summer. Eyes are bugging out. I swear, I think I may have garnered less of a reaction if I just flashed my breasts at them.
“You're a virgin?” Theron’s voice is comically soft and high, like I’ve pressed my heel gently against his nuts.
“How?” Gabe asks. “I mean, how does a girl as pretty and sexy and awesome as you stay a virgin?”
“Hey, guys! Did you ever think that maybe Allie might want to keep her reasons to herself?” Stefan shoots a warning look to the rest of the group. “That’s a pretty private thing to expect her to talk about.”
“It’s okay,” I say, feeling the weight of everyone’s expectations on me, and heat spilling upward over my neck and cheeks. “I’ve been busy with school and then work. There just hasn’t been anyone in my life that’s been right.”
“Sounds like you have some high standards.” Theron clasps his hands together, fingers gripping, and I get the sense that he’s trying to contain himself. His gray eyes are like liquid steel, swimming with strength and intensity. And intention. So much intention.
Why is it that men see virginity as such a challenge? A thing to take? A barrier to break?
There’s no hunting for food anymore. No searching for new lands, or running from dangerous beasts. Maybe virginity has become the final frontier for men who aren’t as connected to their masculinity as they should be.
“I guess,” I say. “Or I’ve just been unlucky with the men who’ve crossed my path.”
“Until today.” Jonas shoots me a suggestive look, wiggling his brows and biting on his full bottom lip.
“Until today,” I agree, laughing.
“So, what would it take to get you to give up the cherry, baby?” Jimmy joins his friend by hitting me with an exaggerated wink and I laugh, holding up my hands.
“Woah. Just because I’ve shared my status, doesn’t mean I’m looking for anyone to change it.”
“You’re never going to get another chance like this,” Clay jokes, resting his head against his palms, as he stretches his back; a classic alpha male posture. “I mean, look at the selection you have here. Ten decent men. Good looking. Employed. Seem to know how to treat a woman, although I guess time will tell! Packing where it counts.”
“That’s an interesting summary,” Oliver says. “What about a good sense of humor?”
“That’s it, Daddy. Hit us with the old school dating ads spiel,” Jimmy laughs.
“Very funny.” Oliver fiddles with his cuff in the way all wealthy men of a certain age do when they’re trying to convey status. I stifle a smile at the ribbing between the men and the easy going way they seem to handle each other. “Rather than listing our attributes, you could ask Allie what she’s looking for in a man.”
Clay glances from Oliver to me and tips his head to one side. “What he said.”
Wow…now I’m under pressure.
If I knew the answer to that, maybe I would have found him by now.
“I don’t know is the true answer.”
“You must have a checklist. All women do,” Theron says.
“All women? Have you surveyed them to check?” Oliver laughs.
“I just mean it’s a common thing.”
I nod, understanding his point. I’ve heard women talk like that before, folding the fingers over as they list the attributes that would make their perfect husband. Money. Status. Education. Family background. I get the need for security. I even get the need to marry up for that, to have aspirations on how children from the union will be raised. But those things by themselves have never hit a chord with me. I’m not saying that they’re not important, just that the men I’ve met who deliver on those attributes are missing something.