The Other C-Word(34)

"About a year," I replied.

Rick choked on his drink. My response made him choke! "That would mean you were a virgin until recently? How can that be? There had to be guys in high school that were after you."

I smiled, shocked that my lips could even form one at this point. "I was a complete tomboy in high school."

"Well, then you must have gone to school with a bunch of blind idiots for them not to see how hot you are no matter what you're wearing. What about college?"

"I commuted and lived at home so it wasn't convenient."

"Don't bullshit me now, Marley."

"I'm not, Rick."

Our food arrived, and I laughed at Rick's dismayed glance at the jalapeño-laden burger the waitress placed in front of him. He started scraping off the spicy peppers with his knife.

"Marley, come on now. We both know if two people want to have sex, it's easy enough to find a place to consummate the act."                       
       
           



       

I shrugged. "I guess I just wasn't interested for a long time."

"And what? Then one day you were? I have to admit that surprises me the most because you're very … sexual."

"Can we talk about something else now? I haven't passed on one question, and I feel like you're taking advantage of that."

He nodded. "Sorry. It was just a bombshell for me, and I wish I could say it clears things up, but it actually makes me more confused."

"Is that because you thought I was more experienced?"

"Partially, but I don't want to tell you all the reasons because I'm afraid I'm going to fuck up this date we're on. Let's talk about how the waitress hates me and brought me this freaking crazy burger with a million jalapeños on it."

I laughed. "Serves you right. Guess we'll have to order you a bread basket."

He looked over at my food. "That's all you're eating?" Had he not heard me when I'd ordered? Oh no, I doubt he had. He was too busy being shocked by my admission at the time.

"Yes, I have to pay for myself, you know."

Rick placed his hands over mine. "Don't joke. I kind of freak out about how little you eat."

"Seriously? I'm not anorexic. You should know that."

"Yeah, I do, but … well, I guess we'll just have to get dessert. I wonder if they have German Chocolate Cake here, because that's what I'm in the mood for."

"Sounds good to me." I replied, picking up one of his jalapeños and popping it into my mouth. "So, where are you going to take me on our next date? Will it be somewhere fancy? Should I even trust you to make reservations?"

He smiled the dimple smile I loved so much. "I would never forget to make reservations with you."

"I wouldn't care if you did."

"I know, baby. That's why I'd never forget."



* * * *



After our date, Rick drove me straight to the office. He pulled up next to my car and asked for my keys.

"I don't understand. Don't you want to go back to your place?"

Rick took my hand and kissed the inside of my wrist. "Sweetheart, this is our first date. What kind of guy would I be if I tried to sleep with you on the first date? I'm going to drop you off at your car and follow you home. First though, I'm going to give you a long, drawn out, goodnight kiss, and think about how good you smell and how beautiful you look and … if I can get lucky by our third date."

"That's pretty crazy seeing as we've already had sex, like, a multitude of times."

"I know, but this is still our first date, and I'm a traditional kind of guy if you haven't noticed. And you're the kind of girl who deserves that respect."

I shifted in my seat, feeling my heart melt with his sweet words and my angst increase because I totally wanted to jump his bones. "Are you serious?"

"I know it sounds stupid, but it's important to me. Besides, we're doing everything ass backwards, aren't we?" He leaned in and tilted my face to his, pausing right before our lips touched. Then he crashed our mouths together. It was intense-he did things to my lips that made my whole body feel like convulsing. Rick bit my lower lip and sucked on it. He slipped his tongue into my mouth, brushing against mine it. When we pulled away, we were both panting as if we had run a marathon. We were completely silent, soaking in the intensity of a simple kiss. I wondered what Rick was thinking after all the revelations we'd shared at the restaurant and the passionate kiss that had left us both breathless. What deep, philosophical thoughts were going through his beautiful mind? What else could he say to me to conclude this amazing evening?

He smiled, cocking his eyebrow. "Speaking of ass."

I let out a gut-wrenching laugh, patting his chest. "Easy boy, that's a one-way street for me."

"You can't blame a guy for trying." He grinned, pulling me in for a second kiss. It wasn't as long, but equally passionate. "I'm going to take you somewhere really nice for our next date and then, maybe if I'm lucky, I'll get to worship your body again and again. Goodnight, baby."

"I thought it was the third date?"

Rick chuckled. "I'm traditional, but I'm not going to kid myself. I won't be able to last three dates without getting inside you."

He wasn't alone in that thought.





Chapter Eleven





I came down in Stevie's purple dress. It was form fitting and hugged my curves, but classy too. I paired it with my new, fierce Michael Kors black heels. My family all plied me with so many compliments that I actually felt my head enlarging. Even Stevie approved, but then again, it was her dress. I had to admit, it did make me feel pretty. It felt strange, since I never went on dates or even to the prom, so this was a foreign experience for me. When the doorbell rang though, I was instantly annoyed.                       
       
           



       

Rick stood outside my doorway, looking adorable in his dark suit, and assessing me appreciatively. He carried a large, potted cactus. It was hard to be mad, but I was. I leaned into him, careful to avoid getting pricked by the plant. I wondered if he had brought it as a protection barrier. "I told you to text me when you were here," I whispered.

He ignored the venomous slant of my eyes. "Marley, I'm not going to text you to come outside. I'm going to pick you up at the door like you deserve." I seriously wondered if Rick was a reincarnation from a previous century. At least, he wasn't joking about courting me. "I know you don't have to be told, but I have to say it anyway, you look beautiful."

I blushed. It was hard to be angry after a compliment like that. He handed me the cactus plant.

"You got me a cactus?"

"Um, you don't seem like the kind of girl that would appreciate flowers. I wanted to get you a normal plant, but you don't have the best history. They tell me this is very hard to kill."

I laughed, surveying the funny-looking prickly plant. "I love it. Thank you."

I was so lost in the moment that I'd forgotten all my family were standing awkwardly behind us. They gawked at us, and I realised introductions were expected. The normal cast of characters surrounded me except for Dillon, who was in the kitchen reorganising my mom's silverware drawer.

"Everyone, this is Rick Randy. Rick, this is my mother, Emmie, my sisters, Stevie and Billie. This is Stevie's fiancé, Adam. Are you ready to go?" I asked hastily, handing Billie the large plant.

Rick didn't respond. Instead, he took his time, shaking hands with my whole family, while I stared nervously. They all studied him closely, as if he were a rare painting on display. I knew they were aware I'd been seeing someone since I was out every night, but I never talked about it. In fact, Rick was the first person I'd dated that they'd met. Scratch that, Rick was the first person I'd dated, period.

"Can you join us for dinner?" my mother asked. I fought the urge to bolt out of the door right then.

"Mom, we have reservations," I replied, hoping my impatience was apparent, so they would let us leave. I should have known better with my family.

"How about you guys stay for a drink, at least?" Stevie suggested, eyeing me suspiciously.

"Sorry, we can't stay. See you all later," I proclaimed, taking Rick's arm and trying to pull him towards the door. He didn't budge.

"So, you're really in that much of a hurry?" Billie asked, but she was smart. She looked to Rick for the answer and totally ignored my death stare.

Rick smiled, revealing his perfect teeth, and held his hands up in defeat. "I would love to join you for drinks or dinner. We can always cancel the reservation, but it's obvious Marley has a problem with that. It seems she's embarrassed either by me or you guys"-he turned to me with that mischievous smirk I usually loved-"which is it, Marley?"

I was so mad at him that I couldn't even form any words. Everyone stared at me. Even Dillon came out of the kitchen to glare. Stevie tapped her foot and placed a hand on her hip. "Yeah, which is it, Marley?"