Page 108 of Choosing Forever
“You deserve to do the same, Della. Not just from Darren, but the world.”
Holding my breath, I rush out, “I haven’t had sex in a year. What if I’ve forgotten how?”
Poppy twists completely on her stool. Her knees smack into mine as she faces me and takes me by the shoulders, shaking twice. There’s an unspoken surprise in her expression that I think confuses me more than reassures me.
“A year? That long? Oh, I couldn’t do it. What’s your secret?”
I’m hot enough to burn through my clothes. “Don’t ask that!”
“What? I’m just—I just—how?” she gasps.
“In case you forgot, the dating pool hasn’t exactly been flooded! And once I saw Darren at the party?—”
Her hands fly up to cover her ears. “Nope! Don’t continue that. I don’t think I want to know what you did with my brother.”
“Help me, Poppy! I don’t remember how to have sex!”
Slowly, she lowers her hands. A sigh falls between us as she pushes forward.
“You have to remember something. It’s not like you’ve been a prude these last few years. Did you have a favourite position?”
The vodka has done its job to relax me, that’s for sure. I lean toward Poppy and cage my mouth with two hands before whispering, “I’ve only done two.”
“Two?” she shrieks, her eyebrows blending in with her hairline. “Two! No wonder you don’t remember. My poor, poor girl.”
My cheeks have their own heartbeat as I hide my face in my hands and groan. Her shock is warranted. I’m in my early thirties and while yeah, I’ve had sex with a few men, haven’t been all that experimental. There are only so many different brands of dildos and vibrators, and I forced myself to stop buying them once I filled a second bin.
Staring down at my drink, I decide to let my mouth run free.Poppy’s never judged me for anything, and from what I know about her very pro-sex-toy stance, she’ll probably understand this better than anyone.
“I bought a monster dildo last month. Like, the kind with all the fancy ribbing and everything. I’m too scared to use it. What if it hurts? It’s huge too. At least ten inches and as thick as my fist. I can’t take that. Wouldn’t it hurt?”
Poppy clears her throat pointedly and attempts to straighten her slouched posture. The arm she’s leaning against the booth slips, and she giggles for a second before stopping and kicking me beneath the bar.
“Hi, Darren. Fancy seeing you here. Want some daiquiri?”
I jump off the stool in surprise. Poppy reaches to steady me, but Darren’s hand is there before hers is. I tip my head back and flutter my lashes, growing lost in his warm, brown gaze.
He hovers so close that I can feel the chill from outside on his clothes. It’s a welcome change in temperature, considering my throbbing cheeks and scorching chest.
“I’ll pass on the daiquiri. I’m going to need a clear head for tonight, I think.”
Yeah, he does, because I surely won’t have one.
35
DARREN
I stand behind Delaney,a hand glued to the small of her back. It’s support for her languid muscles but also for mine. From the moment I heard her talking about ten-inch dildos, I’ve been harder than one.
Despite the lack of empty glasses on the bar in front of her and my sister, she’s had to have drunk more than she’s used to. More than I’ve ever witnessed her drink, at least. It’s as interesting as it is worrisome, considering the day we’ve had. I don’t want to be the reason for her pain again.
Spreading my fingers to cover more of her back, I lean as close as I can, glueing us together. She sighs in response before slowly letting her head fall to rest against my chest. I lose the ability to think and keep rooted in place instead.
“Want to dance when Garry gets here?” Poppy asks her.
“You want me to dance with you and your fiancé?”
My sister giggles. “No. You and my brother can dance with us. Rory and Johnny too. Johnny always makes her dance.”
