Page 29 of The Dating Prohibition

Kendra spent time hydrating and housecleaning, zipping around to get as much done as she could. After she swept and mopped

the floors and cleared all the counter surfaces in the kitchen to wipe everything down, her phone pinged and she dried her

hands before checking her messages. As she unlocked her phone, she saw BJ’s name. A smile played at the corners of her lips. What does this guy want now?

Ben: Hey.

Great, he’s in his monosyllabic era. She tsked. It was almost comical. “Why do they do that? Because clearly they’re reaching out for some sort of purpose, right?”

There was no one around her to respond to her question, but that didn’t stop her from asking. Maybe I’ll just give him some of his own medicine.

Kendra: Hey.

Ben: What are you up to?

Kendra: Just finishing up some housecleaning. What about you?

Ben: Still thinking about what you said earlier.

Kendra: Which thing?

Ben: You know, about before. I just don’t want you getting mad at me.

Kendra: Mad about what?

Be specific. Kendra blew out a breath waiting for him to share what it was that he wanted to say, wondering if she really would be pissed

off afterward.

Ben: Mad that I only remember bits and pieces.

Kendra looked up from her phone, staring off into space, wondering how that could be when their experience played on repeat

at the forefront of her mind. Her phone ringing jolted her out of her reverie, and suddenly her throat was dry. “Hello?” she

rasped.

“Kenny. I honestly don’t know everything that we did. I don’t even know if we did the deed.”

Kendra sighed. So there it is. “You don’t remember us having sex...” Something twisted in her stomach.

“So we did?” he asked quietly.

“Yes, we did. Twice.” She squeezed her eyes shut as the memory of his whispered affirmations brushed against her skin. “It’s

not the greatest compliment to put in some of my best work and then have it be so easily forgotten,” she joked.

BJ’s rumbling chuckle sent vibrations down Kendra’s spine. “I don’t mean it to be that way, and if I’m being completely honest, I want to remember. Especially if you’re saying you put your back into it.”

Kendra sat on her couch, folding her legs underneath her as she leaned against the arm of the couch. “Well, what do you want

to do about that, BJ?”

“I was hoping you might give me the play-by-play on what happened. Help me jog my memory.”

She hummed and bit the inside of her cheek, rolling her eyes, wanting to be annoyed with him for forgetting something that

had been so mind-blowing for her.

“Are you upset?”

“I’m not mad, but I can’t pretend this doesn’t sting a little,” she laughed slightly.

“It’s not like I chose to block it out,” he responded.

“I know.” She blew out a frustrated breath. “But I really just wish that... It’s just disappointing.”

“No, I get it and I’m sorry. I feel bad because, for something to happen with you of all people, and then I don’t remember...”

“Why does it matter that it’s me?” she asked.

“I’m not going to dignify that with a response, Kenny.” His gravelly voice dropped in tone.

Kendra huffed out a breath. “Whatever. I’ll let you ask questions, and I guess we’ll see if maybe something jogs your memory.”

“Always making things difficult,” he teased.

“Ask your questions, BJ.” It wasn’t fair that images and sensations were only imprinted on her mind and not his—that he couldn’t

still taste her on his tongue.

He sighed and she pictured him rolling his eyes. “Okay, well, you said we had sex twice?”

“Yeah. Is there anything about it that you remember?”

“I remember us kissing. I remember getting onto the bed. And then I feel like I remember us sleeping.”

“So you skipped everything,” she laughed.

“Well, not everything... there was kissing.”

“Okay, so we went into the bedroom and you helped me out of my clothes...”

“Did I initiate?” he asked.

“I’d say it was mutual.” She shrugged.

“Okay, and then what?”

“You decided to taste me first. When things got started, I was on the edge of the bed and you were standing, one of my legs

on your shoulder... you had my hands tied up in a sweater above my head.”

He grunted, and Kendra pictured him with his eyes closed, gripping himself.

“And then you flipped us over so that I was on top of you. I rode you until you came. And...” She squeezed her eyes shut

as she pushed her hair out of her face, her nails grazing the sensitive skin over her carotid artery.

“And what?”

“I really don’t believe that you don’t remember any of this,” she huffed.

“I have no reason to lie, Kenny. You don’t have to be embarrassed telling me anything... just remind yourself that it’s

me you’re talking to. I want to remember everything.”

Fuck it. Kendra relaxed on her bed, pressing her back against her headboard. “You want to remember being in my mouth?” she asked, her

voice becoming a low purr. “How I wrapped my lips around you as you moved my hair out of my face? I ran my tongue over your

balls and up your shaft, taking you into the back of my throat.” She bit her lip, waiting to see how he might respond to that.

“Kenny...” BJ groaned.

“Well, that happened,” she stated matter-of-factly. “And then you grabbed another condom and we went at it some more.”

“Same position?” He cleared his throat, his deep voice sending signals that made Kendra clench her thighs together.

“Yeah, I was on top. It made it easier for me to get to my spot.”

“I can get to your spot without your help, Kenny.”

“Don’t get defensive,” she teased. “You got me there a few times. Trust me, you enjoyed yourself.”

“Okay, and then what?”

“And then you were asleep right after it ended, and I went and took a shower. I stayed for a little while, you cuddled with

me, and I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to give you your space. I got dressed and went home.”

“Kenny,” he growled.

“What?”

“You could have stayed the night. I would not have kicked you out.”

Her mouth curved slightly. “I don’t know what you’re like when it comes to this kind of stuff, so I didn’t want to assume

anything.”

“Of anyone that would be over, there’s no way that I would send you home.”

“But why am I so different?”

“Because you’re you. The whole reason why you’re off-limits is because it’s you.”

“Well, clearly I wasn’t off-limits that night.”

“We’d been drinking.”

“That can’t be the excuse for everything,” she rebutted. “And these little rules you make up have already been broken, so

maybe we can just forget about this whole ‘off-limits’ thing.”

“It happened, but we shouldn’t do that again.”

Kendra’s brow furrowed. “You’re serious?”

He paused briefly. “I’m sorry, but yes.”

The silence between them was loud. Her shoulders dropped in defeat. Why won’t he give me a chance? “You—you had that other girl at the restaurant the other day... Is she the reason why you’re choosing to ignore whatever

this is between us?”

Ben huffed. “Come on. Don’t do that, Kenny.”

“Don’t do what? I’m just saying. There’s got to be a reason. Just keep it a buck.” She threw up her hands in frustration.

“Are you jealous?”

She stared up at the ceiling. Maybe. “I don’t know. I’m not saying I’m jealous. I’m just trying to understand why I’m so forgettable. Maybe it’s because you’ve

already got a roster.”

She pictured him pinching the bridge of his nose as he squeezed his eyes shut during the silence that followed. “Okay, come

on. You’re not forgettable. And you’re acting like I have a harem and I don’t.”

“I didn’t say anything about a harem. You’re making assumptions now and maybe a hit dog will holler.”

“Okay.” His strained voice sounded defeated. “I feel like we should do something about this whole memory situation—”

“Well, I just told you what happened,” she snapped.

“I’m not saying that. I’m saying—”

“What, you want a reenactment?” She rolled her eyes.

“Kenny,” he chuckled. “This would be a lot easier if you let me finish a thought. And, no, not quite, but I will admit that

I would like another round.”

“Another round? What are we doing? Fighting to the death?” she queried snarkily.

“You really are a piece of work.” BJ’s exasperation was palpable. “Very funny.”

She cackled. “Well, have a night with a woman where you beat the brakes off her and then she tells you she don’t remember getting her back broken. How might you feel?”

“I hear you,” he responded gently. “What if I made it up to you?”

She frowned. Wait. “Is this the round two you’re speaking about?”

“Yeah.”

Her interest piqued, and she sat up, crossing her legs in front of her. “Well, how would you make it up to me?”

“You gave me head.”

“Yeah. So? I didn’t start there; I was reciprocating.” She squinted at a spot on the wall, trying to stop the mental image

of BJ pressing his face between her thighs. She cleared her throat.

“So maybe I’ll start by returning the favor.”

“Oh, so this is going to be a please Kenny kind of day? I thought you said we shouldn’t do this again?”

“Not a day, a date. And I know what I said.”

Why is he switching it up now? Shut up, Kendra, don’t block your blessings. She paused for a beat. “So a sex date? Isn’t that just a Netflix and chill situation?”

“I don’t know what it’s called.” He sounded equal parts annoyed and amused.

“Maybe it needs to have a code name.”

“You’re really into codes, aren’t you, with this whole speakeasy thing?”

“Ah, so now you’re getting it,” she said, smiling slyly.

“Yeah, I guess so. Just don’t ask me to make up a secret handshake.”

She pouted playfully. “So what’s our code gonna be?”

Ben hummed. “I think it should be something in reference to boxing.”

Kendra’s brow furrowed. “Boxing? How did we get to boxing?”

“Round two, remember?”

Her head bobbed in recognition. “Right, got it. I’ll admit, I don’t know a whole lot about boxing, so this is going to be

an educational experience.”

“So what do you say, champ? Are you up for another round?”

“Maybe,” she responded quietly. “You promise you won’t get super drunk and forget again?”