Page 57 of Wrap Around
"Did he know that?"
Shaking my head slowly, I say, "No. I didn't tell him. I didn't think he would have gone through with it if he’d known. Once he figured it out, he stopped, kind of freaked out about it even though I told him I was fine."
"Were you fine?"
"Yeah. I mean, okay, it was rougher than I expected. And it did hurt but I think it's supposed to at first, right?"
She shrugs. "I think I'm the wrong person to ask about that."
"But–"
"I doubt it was the same, Silas. And I know you're going to ask now that I got all your dirty first-time details, but no, I don't want to talk about it. There's nothing to tell, really, anyway."
I frown. "You still won't even tell me who?"
"Does it matter?" She finishes her wine. "Maybe one day I'll tell you more, but not tonight. Your story is way more interesting anyway, I promise."
"Alright," I say, because it's not my business if she really doesn't want to tell me. If I really didn't want to tell her anything, she wouldn't have pushed. But she knows me, and she knew I needed to get this out.
"What about Casey Ives?"
"What?"
"He's the only person I can think of that might have the experience to give you advice."
"Hard pass." I grimace. I'd rather ask a Reddit thread than have to go through all of this with a virtual stranger.
"Well, just so it's on your radar, he might appreciate knowing he isn't alone. I think that night at dinner was really big for him. And you know you have at least three supportive teammates. Four, if you count my ignorant caveman of a brother."
Humming noncommittally, I swirl the last of my wine around in the glass.
"I just… I have no idea what I'm doing. I've never even kissed anyone besides him, and he clearly has some experience I don't. What if, after all this time, I'm disappointing?"
"Oh, babe, no." She moves from her seat and comes to sit next to me, pulling me into a hug. "He loves you, Silas. He always has. There's no way that it won't be perfect with you.Hopefully, the next time it happens, he won't be quite so… Aggressive?"
I huff out a laugh. "I don't know. That part was kind of hot."
She laughs. "I think starting slow is probably your best bet. Maybe some research, but not just porn because I don't think that's meant to be especially realistic."
I raise an eyebrow.
"What? Just because I'm not theWhore of Babylonthe town painted me to be doesn't mean I haven't gotten curious."
Adaline gurgles sleepily and may or may not have just tried to repeat the word "Babylon." I didn't realize she'd gotten quiet in the last few minutes. Standing, I look down into the basket. Sure enough, our little parrot's eyes are heavy lidded and blinking slowly.
"Alright, ladies," I say, lifting Adaline and cradling her to my chest. "Time for bed. I think we've had enough fun embarrassing Daddy."
"For now," Lily sing-songs from the kitchen.
CHAPTER 22
GIDEON
Walking into the arena is a different experience this morning. Hell, everything is a different experience this morning. I woke up to a whole new world. One where I'm not struggling to breathe or dreading the day ahead. Despite getting to bed late, and taking forever to fall asleep, I'm full of energy. I practically bounced to work today, actually looking forward to morning skate, seeing my teammates, getting ready for tonight's game. Seeing him.
It was so hard to walk away from him last night. Every fiber of my being wanted to pull him close and never let him go again. I almost asked him to come home with me, but I knew I wouldn't be able to control myself. At best, we'd lie awake all night talking. Kissing. Touching, because how could we not? There's no possible way I'd be able to keep my hands off him.
I meant what I said. I want to do this right. Sure, I have no idea what that actually entails, but I know it probably shouldn't start with rushing into anything.
