Page 96 of The Bachelor

“They have heads that are much larger”—I nodded toward the top of the section—“and wands that are girthier and longer that have endless speeds. I don’t think you need something that large or complex.” I held the back of her neck, claiming her. “You have a tiny little pussy. This one will work perfectly.”

She gazed up at me with flushed cheeks. “And it’s pink, such a girlie choice.”

“That too.”

“Looks like we have our toys. Now what?”

I growled as I leaned forward and ravished her lips. This time, I went slower. I didn’t hurry. I didn’t pull away for several seconds either. When I finally did, I held her stare. “We go home and play.”

NINETEEN

Oaklyn

“You know, it was between this and sushi,” Camden said as I took my last bite of filet. “Did I pick a solid choice?”

It was a chunk of meat that he’d grilled to perfection with caramelized onions. Although he’d tried hard to take over cooking the veggies and potatos when we got back to his condo after visiting the sex toy shop, I’d insisted on helping out. So, while he manned the grill, I stayed at the stovetop and sautéed a medley of sundried tomatoes and bok choy, roasted corn and snow peas—vegetables I’d surprisingly found in his fridge. And instead of baking the potatoes or boiling them, I’d thinly sliced them, coating the outside in heavy seasoning, browning and crisping them before I added cheese.

“Not just a solid choice. An amazing choice. I really love meat and fish; you can never go wrong with either.” I set my fork down to lift my wine. “This dinner has been perfect.” I glanced around the table that had already been set when we arrived, the lights that had been dimmed, the way the sunset was coming in through the tall windows that showed such a vast, beautiful view. “I wasn’t expecting this, honestly.”

“You thought I was going to pick you up at six, take you to a sex toy store, and not feed you?” He leaned back in his seat, having finished his meal as well, holding his drink close to his chest.

His recap sounded almost cold.

But that wasn’t how I’d felt while I was putting on a little makeup and getting dressed for tonight. When he’d called from downstairs, saying he couldn’t find a parking spot.

I just hadn’t been sure what would happen after the lesson, if there would even be an after, and I’d assumed that, once it was over, we’d grab something to eat, or I’d make something once I got home.

I certainly hadn’t expected this.

This was date-like.

Thoughtful.

And extremely romantic.

“I thought you were going to put things in my mouth. I just didn’t think those things were going to be food.” The moment I finished speaking, my cheeks instantly reddened.

I wondered if there would be a time when I could chat about the physical stuff between Camden and me and I wouldn’t blush. When a discussion like that would be so normal that it would be as if we were talking about the steak we’d just eaten. And since the beginning of this proposition, I’d wondered once lesson five came and went, would I ever be touched by him again?

The car ride today had given me that answer.

But, still, it was so much to process, to take in, to think about what exactly this was going to look like, given that we had to be extremely careful and make sure Hannah didn’t find out.

Even so, he’d made me the happiest woman in the world.

“Oaklyn”—he paused to exhale and shake his head—“I might be heartless, but I have manners. Of course I was going to feed you something other than a sex toy.”

He didn’t understand.

He’d taken my statement the wrong way.

“All I meant was that this has been strictly about the lessons. You made that clear … remember?” My voice lightened. “I didn’t anticipate anything else, including food.”

“And now, it’s not about the lessons.” He wiped down one side of his beard and then the other, his stare so intense that I felt it everywhere.

All it did was make me smile harder. I couldn’t hide the way he made me feel. “Which I love more than anything. Granted, you did feed me before lesson two, but the restaurant had been somewhat strategic since the table was perfect for what you wanted to do; the choice of cuisine just happened to be a bonus. Sometimes, meals can hint at more, and this setting certainly gives me that vibe.”

“Tell me why.”

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