Page 26 of Pretty Please Me
I nod and flip to the next page. “I do have one amendment to add under the sexual health section.”
Sam flips his page and clicks his pen, ready to edit the text.
“You say we both need sexual health screenings.” I look up to meet his eyes. “Which I appreciate. But there’s no mention of birth control requirements.” I tilt my head to the side. “I’m not on birth control, nor do I plan to start taking it. I don’t like the way it makes me feel, and frankly, I don’t have enough sex normally to warrant all the side effects. Is that going to be an issue for you? Are you willing to wear a condom every single time—for the entire time?” I add the last bit because they always say the same thing,just let me start without one, and I promise I’ll put it on before we’re finished.
I won’t risk it. It’s a firm boundary he’ll have to accept, or the whole deal is off the table.
A small smirk pulls at the corner of Sam’s mouth. “I’m pleased to see you taking your health and well-being so seriously. I’m proud of you for communicating that boundary, but birth control isn’t something you need to worry about with me…”
My eyebrows knit together in confusion.
“I had a vasectomy when I was twenty-one.”
It takes a moment for his words to sink in. “Why? What made you do something so extreme when you were that young?”
He spins the wine glass by the stem without taking his eyes off me. “Lots of reasons, actually. I didn’t want children and knew that if I changed my mind, I could either have it reversed or I could adopt. I also wanted to take responsibility for my sex life and not put the burden on every woman I slept with. It was a no-brainer for me since I decided around that time that I wasn’t ever interested in having a real relationship. It allowed me to have better sex, and I never had to worry about altering a woman’s life by making her choose whether she wanted a child.” He shrugs like it’s nothing and takes a sip of his wine.
“Wow, Sam, that’s incredibly mature of you. Really, I don’t think I’ve ever met a man who’s so responsible? Considerate?” I scratch through the note in the margin. “Well, I guess that’s settled, then.”
“And you’re positive you still want to do this?” He quirks a brow.
“I’ve never been more sure of anything.” I grab the contract and sign my name at the very bottom and pass it to him. He scribbles his own signature and sits back in his chair with a smug grin.
“So, what happens now?” I ask as the server walks in with our food and places our plates on the table before us.
“First things first, we’re going to enjoy this nice meal together, and then, tomorrow morning, I’m taking you shopping.” He cuts a bite of his salmon and pops it into his mouth.
“Shopping for what?” I ask nervously.
“Everything. Now, eat your dinner before it gets cold.”
I pick up my fork as my cheeks heat. “Yes, sir.”
Sam lets out a surprised laugh. “I have a feeling you’re going to be my star pupil, Magnolia.”
ELEVEN
Maggie
When Sam said he was taking me shopping, I didn’t expect the full Julia Roberts inPretty Womanexperience, but that is exactly what this feels like, only I’m the one who asked him for help.
We’ve already covered the basics, meaning he’s bought me a new wardrobe of jeans, tops, sneakers, and jackets. I try to argue that I don’t have anywhere to wear all these clothes, but he insists.
“Come on. This is fun. You have to admit this is fun.” He nudges me with his elbow playfully as he pays for my giant pretzel and hands it over to me.
I snatch it out of his hands and pinch off a piece of the warm, salty bread before dunking it in the nacho cheese sauce.
“Mmm,” I moan as my eyes practically roll back in my head. “It’s getting a little more fun now.”
Sam laughs as he leads us to a nearby bench. “Now that I’ve seen how much you enjoy pretzels, I may just need to keep the apartment stocked with them.” He smiles. “You’ve just got a little…” He wipes cheese from the corner of my lip with his thumb, then sucks it clean.
“Uh… Thanks.” I take another bite, trying to ignore the butterflies taking up residence in the pit of my belly. Ever since our conversation last night, it’s like something’s shifted between us. I mean, I guess technically, things have shifted, considering we signed a contract. I don’t know, though. I guess I thought things would change immediately, and aside from Sam bringing me breakfast in bed this morning and the shopping, things seem kind of normal, except for the cheese licking, of course.
I’m not sure when my lessons start, but I feel like I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for him to command me to do something sexual at any moment, but I have to remind myself that Sam isn’t like that, and this arrangement isn’t like that either.
I can’t help but wonder if he’s doing this because he feels sorry for me, but I can’t make myself ask, and maybe I don’t want to know the answer anyway.
“So, tell me, what’s your favorite part of your body?” Sam asks as he pinches off a piece of my pretzel and pops it into his mouth.
