Page 16 of Shadows of the Soul

Rockhard waved his hand at me. “I want to hear the story of how you met.”

“As payment?”

He nodded. Why me?

“And I want you to share your intentions,” Lenson declared, pointing at Hudson.

“What happened to blood and virgin sacrifices?” I muttered.

Hudson chuckled. “Are you trying to tell me something?”

My cheeks flamed. “Absolutely not. I may not be experienced and entertain a different lover in my bed every night of the week, but I’m no virgin. I prefer my sex to be meaningful. Sex takes work, effort to understand what turns someone on. Multiple orgasms and satisfaction don’t happen instantly.” I snapped my fingers.

Tiny sparks of amusement glinted in his eyes as he studied me. “We shall see.”

“There will be no seeing!”

“Awww, our little Cora is all grown up,” Rockhard commented, leaning on Lenson. “I’m so proud. Will it be a summer wedding?” He wiped a fake tear from his eye.

“Keep weeping, there will be no wedding. Hudson is here because he can’t keep his nosy ass out of my business.”

“I’m here because your ass can’t stay out of trouble.”

Lenson glanced over his shoulder at me with a smile. “Embrace the good, Cora, keep it close. Treat it like the rare find it is.”

“I’m only rare while my panties are still on. Afterwards, I’ll fade into a trail of conquests.”

“This again,” Hudson groaned.

“I’m sorry, does my self-respect offend you?”

He gripped my arm and spun me in the water to face him. “The fact you think me so shallow offends me.”

I scoffed. “Really? Tell me, how many women have you bedded?”

He tilted his head and pursed his lips. “Including one-night stands?”

My eyes went wide as he confirmed in one question exactly my suspicions. “No, let’s go with relationships that lasted over a week.”

He gritted his teeth. “Twelve.”

I slow blinked and willed him to see the mismatch we made. “Twelve,” I repeated.

He ran his hands through his hair. “Ask me how many women I’ve chased. How many women I have pursued?”

“It’s irrelevant.”

“It’s absolutely relevant. You push me to be better, to think beyond my own views. You challenge me in a way I’ve never known. I want to be a better man because of you. Don’t stop this before we have a chance.”

“And when the next young, perky thing bats her eyelashes at you?”

He jerked back. “I would never cheat.”

“No, but I’d be sidelined for that younger model. I can’t live like that.”

“So you do want a proposal.”

I shook my head. “No.”

---