Page 21 of Sweet Torment (The Sweet 1)

How many boys have fucked me.What the hell? “Wait just a minute.”

“Do you think we should watch a movie or binge on a TV series? We have to occupy ourselves with something other than sex and all the things leading up to it for the next forty-nine days. Maybe we could start watchingAmerican Horror Story. I’ve heard it’s really good.”

“Back up, little dove.”

“To the movie or TV series?”

“You need to explain what you mean byhow many boys have fucked me.”

“There’s nothing to explain. You said we’re not having that conversation because no good could come from it. Don’t go getting your panties in a twist with me when you’re the one who put an end to that discussion.”

“I didn’t think such a conversation existed on your part.” I assumed because she hadn’t dated, she hadn’t had sex. I guess that was a dumb assumption.

“So you want to talk about me, but we don’t get to talk about you? You have to know that isn’t going to fly with me.”

“I want to know how many there have been.”

“No. You said we weren’t talking about it. So we aren’t.”

I’m not letting this go until I get some answers. “Yes, we are. Tell me now. How many boys have fucked you?”

She wraps her hand around my chin and squeezes so my lips pucker out. She presses a quick kiss to my mouth and releases her hold. “No one has fucked me. I’ve been saving myself for you.”

“You. Little. Shit. Come here.” I yank her onto my lap, facedown, and smack her on the ass three times. “I’ll teach you not to fuck around with me like that.”

I smack her ass one more time before allowing her to turn over and she curls in my arms like a baby.

“Did you like the way that felt, Duke—not knowing and imagining the worst?”

I get it now. “No. I didn’t like it at all.”

“That’s how I feel not knowing. I imagine notch after notch on your bedpost.”

I don’t want Claud to have the sick feeling in her gut I just experienced. “I don’t keep a running tally.”

“I don’t need an exact number.”

That’s good because I don’t have one. A few faces, but mostly circumstances, scenarios, and places flash in my mind. “At least a dozen. Probably closer to fifteen or sixteen.”

“Did you love any of them?”

Hell, I doubt I could even come up with names for three of them. “No. It was just sex. Mostly one-night stands after a night of partying.”

“Okay. That’s all I wanted—to know the truth.”

“And you’re okay with it?”

“Well, I wish you hadn’t been with all those girls but it’s in the past. Nothing to be done about it now.”

I wish I hadn’t been with them either. “Know this, Claudia: you’re the only one I’ve ever waited to have. The only one who’s ever had a place inside my heart. The only one… I’ve ever loved.”

“And you’re the only one I’ve ever loved.”

Confessing my love for Claudia is terrifying. I’m putting so many things in jeopardy. My lifelong friendship with my two best friends. My relationship with Staci and Shane Bliss. The opinion my family has of me. The respect of my co-workers.

I could lose everything by admitting my love for this girl.

And yet I’m willing to risk it all for her.

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