Page 27 of Sweet Virgin

Willingly—no, due to forces out of my control—maybe. If I could keep that stupid show in the pitfalls of my life, I would. And the man who put me there, pushing for me to give up my virginity for his own benefit could ride alongside it.

There was no way I was going to jeopardize whatever was happening between us. He seemed like a good guy, he didn't deserve to have his name in the spotlight, ruining him too.

I wasn't sure how long I'd be able to hide it from him, but for now, it wasn't worth it. Right then, that moment was all I wanted to focus on.

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why are you so willing to give yourself to me, but not expect it back?” Tipping the spoon up onto the thin edge of the curve, I spun it in circles.

I was having a hard time believing what he was saying. There was always an expectation, a return to a favor, interest on a loan; nothing came free. It didn't matter what it was.

If Kealen was going to let me into his world, there had to be something he wanted for it.

Right?

His palms flattened against the table, sliding across to grab mine. “Because what I feel isn't based off who you were, it's based off who I've seen.”

“But you don't know me.”

“That's what I'm hoping to do, I'm hoping to get to know you, even if it's just what you want me to see.”

My heart fluttered, pattering inside my chest like the quick drumming of a rabbit's foot against the ground. I felt my skin blush, the warmth running from my arms to my toes, and pooling between my thighs.

Crossing my feet, I squeezed my legs firmly together. My sensitive button throbbed, pulsing with a heartbeat of its own. The feelings rushing through me were new and unknown, they scraped me raw, leaving me open and vulnerable.

And I called it in, eager to explore all it had to offer. Why else would I have jumped on that plane?

I came because it felt right, I came because it was time for me to take my life back.

I came because I wanted to see where these feelings could go and how far I would let them push me till I decided to shut them down.

And maybe. . . Maybe a part of me wanted to give him more.

The smile spread across my face as tingles washed over my skin. “I don't know what to say to that.”

“I want to show you something.” Holding my hand, he stood up. “Come on.” Nodding to the waiter, he pointed at the check holder on the table.

The waiter nodded back, giving him a smug grin. “What was that all about?” I asked, looking between the two men, their unspoken exchange leaving me curious.

Shrugging his shoulder, his hand engulfed mine. “I'm a regular here.”

Kealen led me a block over from the restaurant and to a large office building. The building was amazing. It towered over the rest on the street, looming over the city like a watch dog.

As we approached from the sidewalk, I was in awe over the two large glass doors with heavy gold handles. The glass was cloudy, floral designs were crafted across the entire pane. Tugging out a key card, he swiped it through a box on the handle and opened the door.

The floor lit bright white in Italian Carrara marble, a center mosaic of a bridge over water drew your eye in. It was the most intricate piece of art I had ever seen. Each stone was laid perfectly, the colors all lining up to create the illusion that the bridge and water were real.

“Wow, this is beautiful.” Stepping around the image, I stared down amazed.

“That's the Bridge of Sighs.” Kealen walked behind me, his feet clicking against the hard stone.

“The what? It sounds so sad for something so beautiful.” Tucking my hair behind my ears, I bent down to look closer.

“It could be considered sad, but now it holds a different meaning. Maybe we can go someday, it's way better to see in person.”

“It's a real bridge?” Dragging my fingers lightly over the picture, I stared down at the floor.

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