Page 25 of Dangerous Lies

“Are you a virgin?”

“This is the most embarrassing conversation ever. Why do you want me to sayitout loud? I'm twenty-nine years old. I shouldn't still be one.”

“I'm not judging, but I want your first time to be perfect,” he said.

“I want one night with you.”

No way would he let her go after one night, but he didn't want to scare her away. “One night...and then we canseewhereitgoes fromthere.”

“What now?”

He couldn't hold back the smile. “Let's figure out what you like. You mentioned earlier youwatchedporn. Besides the bug porn, do youknowwhat BDSM is?”

“Yes, women are tied to beds and spanked.” She licked her lips.

“Does that scare you?” He didn't need the lifestyle, but he enjoyedit.

“No, but I'm not sure I like the thought about being tied down.”

Something deep in her eyes flickered, and heknewtherewas more she hadn't told him about her past. “I won't tie you down.”

“Ginger?”

“Yes?”

“Can we stop talking andgetto the good part? I've waited twenty-nine years.”

She pulled her shirt over her head and tosseditto the side. For the first time in years, he was at a loss for words.

10

ROSE

Rose didn't hold on to her virginity becauseitwas a prized position. She’d never met a man who had swept her off her feet until now. One week, and Ginger already consumed her thoughts at night. She should stop everything and talk this out more, but the second his fingers glided across her skin, rational thoughts escaped her mind.

“Stop thinking so hard.” Ginger's husky voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

He wrapped his fingers around her wrist and pulled her closer. His mouth met hers, and he awarded her with a soft kiss.

She'd laid in bed and thought about this moment her whole life. Not one of her dreams came close to this moment.

Tyler always came first, and she never took a chance at love. People only fell this fast in movies. Lust was the only way to explain her need, or she had waited too long, and her body was going into some type of overdrive for the man.

“Isitalways like this?”

He pressed his lips to the sensitive skin near her ear and nipped. “No. You're the honey to my bee.”

A bubble of laughter erupted from her throat. “Did you just make the worst insect joke during...”

“I was trying out some dirty talk.” He leaned back and gave her a lopsided smile that made her heart contract.

“I think you're more like a scorpion, and I'm the frog.”

She understood this would end with her heartbroken.

He unclasped her bra, and the straps fell down her arms.

“They both die.” He leaned forward and placed kisses along her skin. “I'll do everything in my power to protect you and my son. The world is a scorpion, but together we can take down anyone who comes after us. You’re the strongest woman I've ever met.”

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