Page 75 of Every Bit As Perfect
“Why?”I emphasized.
“Somewhere along the way, you decided you were unworthy.Don’t project that onto me.”
I blinked rapidly.“It’s not projection, it’s just facts.”
He snorted.“What facts?I’ll give you some facts.You have curves, and I want to sink my teeth into them.You’re petite.I want to wrap you around me like a belt and wear you everywhere.You’ve got this sassy attitude I want to strip away in our bedroom to reveal the good girl underneath who wants to please her man.You have the most beautiful eyes, but they’re not smiling as much as I want them to be.It’s too soon to tell you my thoughts about your mouth and the rest of your delightful body, but hopefully that’s enough ‘facts’ for now.”
I stared back at him, my brow furrowed.Could it be possible he saw me like that?
My silly, romantic heart thrilled at his words.
It’s too soon to tell you my thoughts about your mouth and the rest of your delightful body.
I couldn’t even begin to unpack that statement.
But I ached to believe him.
“I don’t expect you to believe me right now.I know, if what happened with that bitch earlier is any indication, you’ve been eating shit for a long time.But at some point, you have to take stock of the ‘facts’, and see yourself through a lens they did not craft for you.”
I closed my mouth.“Can we not talk about this anymore?”
He nodded, his lips pressed tight.“Talking is overrated.I’ll show you exactly how I feel about you tonight.”
“Tonight?”I squeaked.Having sex was one thing, having sex after stripping down to my soul was another.
He answered decisively.“Tonight.”
I thought he would bustle me out of there but instead he ordered another drink and asked for a menu before steering the conversation toward safer topics.
I tried not to compare, but the vast difference between Daire and Paul made it impossible not to notice.
Daire paid attention.He paid attention to everything.
When I shared my dreams and plans for the resort with Paul, he barely looked up from his cell phone or the television.Often he had both going at once.
When I spoke to Daire, he made eye contact.Asked questions.Made the effort to understand what it meant to me.
Conversation flowed throughout dinner.And when he had no knowledge of what I needed, like an answer to my social media woes for the resort, he still found something to offer.
“I don’t have social media, so I can’t offer you much in the way of advice for the resort, but a friend of mine from university is in social media marketing.I can contact her if you like?”
“Her?”I blurted.
“She’s only ever been a friend,” he narrowed his eyes on me.“Are you the jealous type?”
I lifted my chin.“Why is it when a man is possessive it’s sexy but when a woman is possessive she’s considered a stalker?”
“You can be as possessive of me as you want.You’d make the cutest ever little stalker.”He grinned.“She’s only ever been a friend, and never one with benefits.”
“Did you have somebody where you used to live?”
“Well, Harley, I suppose now would be a good time to tell you I’m not a virgin.”
I feigned shock.“Really?Whatever did you do at those sex clubs?”
“Ah,” he laughed.“I was wondering when you would bring that up again.I didn’t participate.I watched and learned.I can take you if you want to see for yourself.”
Did I want to see?
