Page 49 of Fumble

“Not gonna lie. Finding it hard to focus with you doing that.” God, her hands feel good.

“It’s definitely hard.” If she’s not careful, I’ll be inside her in the next five seconds, tender or not. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath to try and form a coherent thought.

“Why me? I know you gave me all that ego-boosting, you’re so experienced, but seriously, why me?”

“I wasn’t wrong. You’re sexy as hell, and that was insanely hot. I have good judgment.” Her superficial answer stings. I guess I wanted to hear something more substantive, even though she hasn’t hidden the fact that she wanted a good ride. She’s always been upfront about it. I push her back to the other side of the tub, needing to distance myself. Easy-going. That’s what she wants, and it’s what she’ll get.

“Okay, I’ll take a dare. Enough truth for one night.” I can’t hide the bite in my voice.

“We’re just getting started.”

“What’s my dare?” I try to sound playful, but something is weighing on me. Something I need to force down and ignore the way I do everything else.

“Call my best friend, Zoey, and tell her you just popped my cherry.”

“Fuck that. No way.”

“She knew it was going to happen. I hatched the plan in our apartment, much to her dismay.

“And if she decides to sell your story?”

“She’d never do that. I trust her with my life.” I don’t like to see her wounded, even if it’s on her friend’s behalf. Leaving her in the tub, I step out, not bothering with a towel. She’s seen it all now, and I know she likes what she sees. I go in search of her phone, returning a few seconds later, water still dripping from my fingers, holding it out for her to unlock. She grabs it with a wicked grin, setting it to speaker as it dials. Ring! Ring! Ring!

“How’s my favorite virgin?” The voice on the other end of the phone makes me laugh.

“Hey, Zoey, is it?”

“Holy shit! Who’s this? Where the fuck is Faith?” Protective. I like her already. Faith’s giggling echoes in the acoustics of the bathroom.

“I’m here, Zee. I wanted you to say hi to someone.”

“This is Hunter Vaughn.”

“Fuck a duck.”

“I’d rather not if you don’t mind.”

“Sorry. Hey, Mr. Vaughn. Big fan. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“All good, I hope?”

“Well, I read the papers, so I’m not going to lie. It ain’t all good. Faith has nice things to say. To what do I owe the pleasure of an introduction?” Fuck. My male bravado seemed smarter when I handed her the phone. Now, not so much.

“Would your opinion of me be lessened if I told you Faith has me on a dare?” Deflecting might work for me, right?

“Faith, why are you daring your boss?” I’m out. There’s no way I’m getting on this girl’s bad side. She sounds pissed already.

“Zee…”

“Jesus, you fucked him?” Not even a hint of restraint in her disdain.

“Umm…”

“Take me off speaker, now.” All trace of playful joy is gone from her face. This is her best friend, and I’m assuming she’s firmly against the V-Card transaction. I’d leave her to discuss this in private, but after the last time she attempted to get out of a tub in my presence, we ended up in the emergency room.

I grab the phone and put it to my ear.

“She’ll have to call you back.” I throw it on the vanity before lifting her into my arms and setting her gently on the floor, making sure she’s balanced before I let go. I reach for a robe and drape it around her shoulders. My gut wrenches as she stares over at her phone, our bubble well and truly burst.

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