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“Calling you sexy is no line. You’re amazing, Audrey. Your ex is a moron.”

“I was a little worried I’d forgotten how to, uh, do all that. Shae never let me top, and only rarely let me touch her. I haven’t touched a woman like I touched you in four years and I’ve never given a woman head like that.”

I sit up. Audrey’s fair skin is peeking back through the pink flush that has suffused her body for the last however many hours. I’ve lost track of time. “Seriously?”

Audrey nods.

I don’t judge anyone’s tastes or sexual proclivities, that’s not my place, but not wanting the woman you’re attracted to, the woman you love, to touch you is hard for me to get my brain around. But Audrey and Shae’s sex life is none of my business. How it made Audrey feel is none of my business. How Audrey feels in this moment, which must be an incredibly vulnerable one for her, is my business.

I caress her leg. “You were…” I swallow the lump in my throat. “Perfect. Confident but concerned that you were making me feel good, checking in to make sure I wasn’t uncomfortable. That’s not as common as it should be, and I really appreciate it.”

Audrey smiles and squeezes my hand. “Thank you.”

“Also, I’m available anytime if you want to get some practice. Try new things.”

“Oh, you are?”

“I know, the sacrifices I make. But someone must do it.”

Audrey pinches my thigh, gently. “Maybe I’ll take you up on that one day. But I really should be going.”

I turn around and lie next to her. I run my fingers down the center of her chest, tracing her belly button, see goosebumps pop out on her smooth skin. “I need my fair ups,” I say.

“Your what?”

“You aren’t into sports, are you?”

“No, though I tried very hard to impress my seventh grade PE coach Ms. Bilderback. Boy could that woman fill out a tracksuit.”

“She sounds amazing.”

“She was. And she wore this stunning blue eyeshadow.” I suppose I make a weird face. Audrey chuckles and continues. “You had to be there.”

“Well, ‘fair ups’ mean I get to bat as many times as you. In this contest, I need to make you come at least two more times.”

“Need, or want?”

“One and the same.”

“You’re competitive, then?”

“Very.”

“And it’s killing you that I won.”

“Well, looking at it another way, I came four times, so I won, and I’m just giving you a chance to tie the score. So. Will you stay for a bit?” I’m desperate for her to stay, but I don’t know how to say that without scaring her off.

Audrey smiles, but her expression says no. “I really can’t. I am very late, and my sister is very nosy.”

“Yeah. OK. Sure. I respect a woman who sets boundaries. Can I call you this week? For our second date?”

Audrey’s gaze roams over my face, as if imprinting it in her memories. “Tonight was amazing, and if this was at any other time in my life, I would stay the night. But it’s not. It’s just not the right time for me to get involved with anyone.”

“Sure. Yeah. It’s a one-time thing. No harm, no foul.”

“Are you sure? Because you don’t look it.”

I inhale and get ready to lie. I cup Audrey’s cheek and swallow down the huge lump in my throat. “I’m fine. I promise.”