Page 16 of Vodka And Virtue

Another glance around the dining room before he admitted, “I like having my ass played with. Most girls aren’t into that. They aren’t givers, they’re receivers. Bedroom activities focus around their pleasure, not mine. As if I’m supposed to just get off on the fact of being there and seeing them naked. I guess I need more than that.”

I found it ironic that I could definitely get off from the simple fact of being with him and seeing him naked. I definitely would not need more than that. Not with Carlisle.

“I don’t blame you one bit. I guess you’re dating the wrong type of people. Maybe you should consider switching things up for a change and see what happens. You never know. You might find exactly what you’re looking for.”

His eyes became wide, as if I revealed a priceless secret. “You sound just like my brother.”

“And is that a bad thing?”

“No, not at all. It just seems like a funny coincidence to hear the same thing twice in one week.”

“I don’t believe in coincidences. Tell me, how come you’ve never dated a man before?”

He took a sip of water, and just when I thought he wasn’t going to answer me, he let out a deep sigh. “I don’t know. There just always seems to be a girl available who’s flirting with me. Maybe it’s just easier?”

“There are no wrong answers, Carlisle. I’m sure it is easier, when you think of the negativity and hate you might encounter if you were dating a man. On the other side of the coin, is it really easier to deny something you want so badly?”

He looked up at me, and his eyes widened. “I didn’t say it was something I wanted so badly. I just said that I’m attracted to men, is all.”

“Oh, is that all?”

“Is there more to it than that? Why don’t you tell me how I feel, since you seem to know me so well.”

It never failed. Every time I pushed him, he became defensive. I wonder if he would continue to do it if he knew how much I liked it.

“Do you want to know what I see? Every time you begin to relax in my company and let your walls down, you realize you are enjoying yourself and then clam up again. What about me scares you so much?”

Carlisle dropped his fork on his plate with a loud clank and sat back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.

“What is it you see in me that you think you like so much? You’re almost twice my age. Our interests don’t align. We really have nothing in common. I don’t like motorcycles, and I’m not fond of black leather. You’ve been all around the world, and I haven’t even left the East Coast. What is it about me that makes you think we would be a good match?”

“You’re wrong. Our interests do align. The problem is, you just don’t know me well enough to know that. I’m not looking to date a man who wants to ride motorcycles with me. That’s what I have your uncle and your cousin for. I’m looking for a man to share my life with. A man who wants to cook dinner with me at night. A man who wants to sit across the dinner table from me and plan our future together. A man who wants to plant a vegetable garden with me and build a life with me. Someone I can lay in bed with at night and discuss movies and books and the people that we love.” My voice became gruff with emotion, and I stopped talking to clear my throat.

Carlisle leaned forward and rested his elbow on the table, smirking at me. “Is that what you do in bed at night? No wonder you’re still single.”

I looked heavenward, and Carlisle followed my gaze, looking curious and slightly confused. “What are we looking at?”

“I’m waiting for lightning to strike me down. That’s the first time you’ve ever flirted with me. Is the world about to come to an end?”

He laughed and picked up his fork, popping a bite of steak into his mouth. As he chewed, he shook his head, grinning at me.

After dinner, I drove him home, reluctant to part ways with him. I walked him to his door and lingered as he dug his key out of his pocket.

“I enjoyed your company more than I can say. I’m looking forward to our next date, Carly.”

“It’s Carlisle,” he murmured huskily, staring at my mouth. Did he want a kiss good night? “And I enjoyed myself, too. Thank you.”

Daring to reach out and touch him, I slid my hand along his jaw and let my thumb caress his bottom lip. “Would it be so bad if you allowed me to call you Carly?”

“It would probably be disastrous,” he said, parting his lips.

I leaned in closer. “Disastrous?”

His gaze lifted from my mouth to my eyes. “An epic mistake.”

“Epic, huh?” I close the distance between us, letting my lips hover above his. “Sounds like fun.”

The front door burst open, and his twin greeted us with a huge smile. “There you are! I wondered when you were getting home.”

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