Page 34 of The Girlfriend Card (Vegas Sin #4)

“Sure, there’s a bit of danger there, because Sal is definitely in the mafia. But who cares? You’re smoking hot. And let’s be real, the danger element is kinda sexy, too.”

“Oh, great. Good to know,” she said sarcastically and laughed.

“Anyway, I’m only telling you what I experienced.

I went into my freshman year thinking I was going to make up for lost time and hook up with a string of hot boys.

But each time I brought a boy I liked back to my dorm room?

As soon as things started heating up, he’d get cold feet and mumble something about how we ‘shouldn’t be doing this,’ and then run for the door. ”

“No way!” I said, still refusing to believe it. “How many times did that happen?”

“Twice,” she admitted.

“I guess I can believe that happened to you twice,” I grumbled. “That’s not the biggest sample size, though.”

“No, but after it happened the second time, I felt so foolish, gross, and alienated, I didn’t want to try again.

And I started to have this idea that, because I’d waited so long, I shouldn’t just sleep with the first cute guy that looked my way; I should at least wait until I had a connection with someone at least mildly intriguing. ”

“And you never found anyone halfway intriguing, huh?”

She sighed. “I’d be lying if I said there weren’t a few guys with promise.

But as soon as they found out about Leo—which they always did, as soon as they googled my name—they had questions.

Questions I couldn’t possibly give any satisfying answers to.

Unlike you, they didn’t press for the truth—they simply gave up. And that was the end of that.”

“Damn.”

“Suddenly, three years of college went by like that”—she snapped her fingers—“and I remained a virgin.”

“I’m sorry, Ottavia.” I offered her a hug. I didn’t know what else I could do or say.

“Thank you for listening,” she said, and we held each other tight.

When we separated, a smile tugged at her lips. “But with all that being said? I’m happy I waited.”

“Why’s that?”

“Meeting you was a breath of fresh air. You, the Craigslist ad, your whole situation with ‘Jane’—all of it—it was quite possibly the strangest thing I’ve ever been a part of.” She giggled. “And I loved it. Even when I was trying to convince myself I hated it.”

“Yeah?”

“But once you found out about my background, you weren’t scared off—even though you have more reason to be scared off than anyone else.”

“No one’s ever accused me of being smart.”

“You make me laugh,” she whispered, nestling closer to me.

“I like being with you. You have this way of making me feel normal. Like everything’s going to be okay …

” She trailed off, her voice carrying a hint of sadness that tugged at my heart.

Because she could see a future where things weren’t going to be okay in the end.

I snuggled her in closer. “Everything is going to be okay.”

“Yeah …”

A palpable melancholy came between us, casting a shadow over our connection. We both felt its weight and understood its origin, yet neither of us wanted to address it. It was so heavy, so pervasive, so ugly, it was better left unsaid.

Desperate to make things light again, I changed the subject.

“I heard you worked a shift at McKayla’s sex store?”

“Good Vibes Only!” she cheered. “Yeah. It was so much fun with those girls. I loved it.”

“But with all due respect, you were a virgin an hour ago, so—”

“Oh, shush. ” She sealed my lips with her finger. “I know what you’re getting at, but it’s not like you need to have had sex to know how to work a cash register.”

“Good point.” My hand went to the small of her back and pulled her closer. “I feel like we oughtta throw you a party now.”

“A party? For what?”

“Because you finally lost your V-card. That’s what we did back in the day when one of the boys lost his virginity—we would all get together and throw a bash for the guy. We called it a V-Party.”

“Oooh, sounds fun.” She snickered. “Only problem with that is, I don’t want anyone to know I was a virgin. So it’ll have to be a private V-Party with just you and me.”

“I’m perfectly alright with that, too,” I joked and took her hand into mine. “So what kind of party would you like?”

“Hmm.” She bit her lip, a devilish sparkle in her eyes. She could play coy all she wanted, but I could tell she knew exactly what she wanted.

“What is it?” I prodded.

“You go first. Then I’ll tell you mine.”

“Okay.” I drew a deep breath. “Unfortunately, you know, because of the team’s mandate on me, I can’t really be seen out partying these days.

And I really shouldn’t drink anything at all, or my conditioning coach might know tomorrow and rat me out.

So whatever kind of party you want, it has to be kinda low-key. ”

She giggled. “Understood.”

“But I was thinking, if you wanted to stick around for a little, I could order in some of your favorite food?”

“Ooooo. A sushi party. I’m loving this already.”

“Sushi’s your fav? Are you serious?”

Her brows knitted together. “Is that a problem?”

“Only if you wanna be my dream girl, because I love sushi.”

“Really?! Yay!” Relief washed across her face. “In that case, consider me your dream girl.”

You already were, I thought as I planted a kiss on her cheek.

“Have you ever been to Hiroyoshi?” I asked.

“Um, yeah. It’s only the best sushi in Vegas. I love it.”

“Agreed,” I said, and we bumped fists. “Perfect, then. I’ll order a ton of sushi for us. Maybe we can snuggle up on the couch and watch a movie.”

“Or we could watch the fish movie instead,” she teased, a fondness in her eyes.

“Yeah, hey, whatever works.” I cleared my throat. “And um, Ottavia, if you wanted to, I’d love it if you stayed the night here with me?”

“Aw, Dakota!” She threw her arms around my neck and squeezed me. “I’d love to. As long as you promise you won’t get sick of me.”

I shook my head. “No way. I promise.”

“I’m very much on board with this,” she said in a happy purr. “Happy V-Party to me.”

“Happy V-Party to you,” I agreed.

We shared a sweet and soulful kiss. But Ottavia broke it off too soon and pulled away, a pout on her plump lips.

“Aw, what’s the matter?” I asked.

“You never asked how I want to celebrate,” she said.

“My bad, babe. I was only throwing ideas out, but we can do anything you want. It’s your party.” I paused. “So what do you have in mind?”

“Making up for lost time.”

I tilted my head, confused—but before I could ask what she meant, she suddenly clambered over my torso, her arm reaching out to open my nightstand drawer.

I smirked, suddenly understanding what she’d meant.

When she shut the drawer, she triumphantly held up a condom. “This time,” she began as she passed the rubber to me, “I want to be on top.”

“ Damn, girl.” I growled, my cock already pumping with excitement as it climbed towards my navel. “Whatever you want.”

She pressed her mouth to mine, her lips sweltering with years of pent-up desire and unmet needs. Seeking the scorching heat between her thighs, my cock throbbed against her slit. Ottavia sat back, and the two of us gasped in unison as I slid into her soaking-wet, velvety grip.

“Dakota,” she moaned as she bounced on me. “You feel so good inside me.”

“Ottavia,” I groaned, my hands on her bucking hips.