Page 101 of Soul Mates: Hercules Valentine and I
“What about your last boyfriend?” he asks.
“Ha,” I scoff, thinking about Boyles.
“That bad?”
“No, it’s just…”This is Lark’s life, and I’ve just decided to erase Boyles from her past.“I don’t have much experience with the opposite sex. Before last night—” I stop myself from revealing something very embarrassing.
“Before last night?” he says, urging me on.
I shake my head adamantly. “Forget it.”
He gently nudges me in the arm. “Nah… you started, so you have to finish. Plus, I’m curious.”
“Well, my computer’s my boyfriend and has been for just about all my life.” I narrow my eyes just a bit, choosing to be a little naughty. “I used to like this guy in high school a lot. He never liked me back, though.”
My heart is beating excitedly.Why did I say that?Hercules is staring at me with his mouth agape, and I wonder what he’s thinking.Has he just figured out who I am?
Finally, he coughs into his fist to clear his throat.
I figure to throw him off my scent, I have to say something that will make him think of anything other than the last thing I said. “Basically, you were the last person I had sex with before last night,” I say.
Hercules leans away from me. “Get out of here.”
I nod, glad that what I disclosed did the job. Instead of picturing me in high school, I gave him the college version of me to think about.
“That was a long time ago,” he says.
“I know.”
“And I was drunk.”
“And you said that you wanted to have sex with me but couldn’t give me more than that.”
He snaps his head back. “I said that?”
“But I didn’t care because you were so… I mean, I was so attracted to you.” I close my eyes as I shake my head. “I guess.”Oh my God, I sound superficial.
“When I woke up, I hoped you were still around. I wanted to… you know…” His eyes turn carnal. “Do it sober.”
As the intensity between us lessens, we start to chuckle.
“And thank you,” he says.
“For what?”
“You saved my life. I could’ve choked on my vomit. That was the last time I’ve gotten that drunk.”
I slap a hand over my breast as I remember that part. “Oh, that’s right! I totally forgot about that.” My smile broadens. “Hercules, you’re welcome.”
Suddenly, his smile fades. I’m stunned by this sudden change of demeanor.
“What is it?” I ask.
His Adam’s apple bobs. “Nothing,” he whispers.
It’s definitely something.
Hercules checks his watch. “I have a meeting soon.”
