Page 21 of Merry Little Mishap

“Five stars?”

“Mmmmhmm…” I tried not to fidget, but the way Nick stared at me, the crimson light on his sharp features and chiseled chin burned down my arms. “I watched him today… for my assignment.”

“Tell me about it,” he instructed, not sternly, but confidently, as if it were natural and expected.

“I, uh… watched him with Madison Love, actually. They were in an alley, having sex behind a nightclub in the dark. Felt homemade… spontaneous even.” I blushed, my face dropping as I realized what I just admitted. Did I really say that? “I’m so sorry. I know we shouldn’t be talking about this.”

“About what?” Nick had the most perplexing, eyebrow arching expression.

“You know…porno.” I mouthed the last part of my sentence, as if the word itself would summon my abuelita with her disciplinary chancla. This was so wrong.

“Porn? Really? Oh… I’m not bothered by that at all.” Nick shrugged, as if it were no big deal, when in actuality my entire upbringing begged to differ.

“We don’t really talk about sex where I come from. It’s a ‘keep it to yourself’ kinda topic.”

“That’s like ignoring an itch that needs to be scratched.”

“My mother would disagree.” I flashed an awkward smile, keeping my cool. I wasn’t sure if I said too much, or if I was now considered un-ladylike—like how my family would perceive it.

Nick bumped his boot against my thigh.

“I promise it’s ok. You don’t need to feel ashamed for something that’s as natural as sex. You’re safe to be yourself with me.” He pointed to the metal walls around us. “This is a judgment-free zone. Besides, I know exactly what video you’re talking about. It’s actually really hot.”

My eyes shot wide open. My mouth dropped.

“So hot!” I blurted, unapologetically.

“And the ending…”

“God, theending,” I emphasized, hypnotized by the outdoor creampie that dribbled all over Madison Love’s ankle adorned panties.

We both laughed, relaxed in the fact that we both knew exactly what we were talking about. Nick’s chuckle slowed into a sigh. He wanted to ask me something. I just knew it. He licked his chopsticks before looking me straight in the eyes.

“So… how did the toy feel going in?” he asked, his gravelly tone reaching from across the elevator.

Was I ready to reveal my dirty side? Normally I was reserved, but my current state of mind was as loose as my drunken lips. Anyways, Nick was pretty cool about sex, treating it more like a casual conversation about the weather rather than a lecture on sin.

“It felt like heaven… I stuck it on my shower wall and used it before getting clean… my laptop was on the counter, my shower curtain pulled all the way open.” I wanted to laugh from my candidness, but Nick seemed so pleased with my answer. He swooped his hair back with his hand, his smile a dirty little taunt.

“How soon after I left did you do this?”

“I was on a time crunch…”

“How… soon?” he asked calmly.

“I… did it as soon as you left. I had to.”

Could this be the confidence Camilla talked about? Because it sure was getting Nick’s attention as he tried his hardest to keep cool, steepling his hands before cracking his knuckles.

“Hmmm. I love the way you worded that,‘I had to’,” he repeated, sitting with it, mulling over the phrase. “And, is there anything else youhaveto do right now?” He motioned to my gift. “Since we’re stuck here, don’t you want to see what your next assignment is?”

I picked at my nails, not sure what to do, or how exposed the next toy would make me feel. Did I really want to open this in front of him?

“What else do you have in your paper bag?” I asked curiously, acknowledging the unmentioned items still left inside from where he pulled the rum out.

“Oh, no you don’t. I showed you my booze… Now don’t you want to show me your gift?”

This felt like an opportunity to play it cool like Nick.

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