Velvet Kisses(11)

Her lips twist up in a knot. “Let’s see—my father is in prison serving his fifth year out of seventeen. My mother lives with her junkie boyfriend.” She shudders. My eyes ride up and down her body, seeing her in this new light. My heart breaks for Marley. “I, too, have a sister—older—married and divorced so many times I lost count—has four beautiful children with three different daddies. She was my role model up until…” Her words trail off as she dazes off into the fire. “Anyway—I don’t have a role model anymore. I thought I’d be my own, then Will cheated, and I didn’t want to be anything to myself. Does that make sense?”

“Oddly, it does.” I shake my head as thoughts of my solitude lifestyle run through my mind.

“I swear I’ve never met anyone like you.” She sets her gaze to mine strong as concrete.

“And I’m sorry you’ve had it rough, Marley.” Her name rolls off my tongue, familiar like it’s been waiting to escape for a very long time.

“I’m sorry I had to bore you with the details.” She scoots in until the sweet scent of gardenia cushions between us. “Look”—her mood plummets as she glances down at her thighs, her finger absentmindedly rubs over my arm—“I’ve never done this before.” She nods toward the hall. “You know—had a one-night stand. But I want to.” Her eyes widen a notch with conviction. “I write this article.” She shakes her head. “Sex and the Coed. I need to—how do I put this—”

“Research?” I’m not sure I should be hand feeding her words. After all she’s the writer.

“Yes!” Her entire face brightens as if I’ve just agreed to something salaciously delicious. “You seem rather eager, at least you did back at the bar—before I chickened out and called you a—”

“Narc?”

“Yeah, that.” She wrinkles her nose again, and I hold back the grin fighting its way to the surface. “Anyway, I’m sort of down a boyfriend—not that I ever want him back. God no.” She gives a mean shudder. “I sort of just need a partner in crime or a—”

“A study partner?” This is bordering on ridiculous and a possible felony. Is it legal to team up with a coed for sexual research? I bet we could get a grant for that if we really put our minds to it.

“Yes! Wow, you’re good.” Her hand glides up the length of my arm, the look of lewd promise glistening in her eyes. “So, are you in?”

“What is it exactly we’ll be studying?” I’m amused we’re still having this conversation.

“I’ll be studying.” She buries her finger into my chest. “You’ll be teaching. What do you say?” She wets her lips in anticipation. Marley is a pageant queen who belongs with some sweet kid who’s willing to ride off into the sunset with her. She’s just jaded right now and desperately seeking rebound sex.

I don’t need to probe anymore to figure out what type of education she’s seeking so I do the only thing I can—give her an answer.

“No.”





Man of my Inappropriate Dreams





Marley





Sex and the Coed

Today’s outfit, up-cycled boho patchwork skirt paired with a loose fitting pirate top in ecru. Knee high riding boots with gold-toned buckles. Just because it’s a freezer out there doesn’t mean you have to put your fashion needs on ice!

Sex tip of the day: Sexperts agree, if the gym isn’t for you then try an aggressive workout in the bedroom! Nothing burns calories like a good roll beneath the sheets. If you aren’t exerting energy like you’re running up a hill then you’re simply not doing it right. And, if you’re not doing it right, practice, practice, practice!



Not doing it right? I stare at the screen a moment too long. How about not doing it at all? I’m a fake. I’m a faux whore. I’m a coital charlatan. The only carnal knowledge I’ve gleaned over a two-year period is that sexual relations come sparingly and only if you beg. Will and I weren’t exactly putting the mattress springs to the test. And now I know why, he was too exhausted after thumping other girls. I’ve always suspected we were half-heartedly interested in one another to begin with. We started out as group dating, then our friends slowly placed us on the couples rack, and we just never denied the title. Somewhere along the line I convinced myself I was in love. I’m not sure Will ever took it that far.

The door to the Hallowed Grounds coffee shop swings open, and I glance up in the event it’s Mr. James, my famed non-suitor. I can’t believe he turned me down like that. As soon as the sun rose over the horizon, I took off to the carriage house and begged Blake for a ride back to my dorm. God, that baby of his sure is adorable. Annie and Blake really do have it all.