"What if that was the only way you could be with Ty again?"
"No."
"You're sure?"
She nods. "When he called, I thought he might offer that."
"He might try to pay you for sex?" That's hard to believe. Yes, Ty is obsessed with her. Yes, he's used to getting what he wants. Yes, we were super-broke before he swooped in to save the day… well, the mortgage.
But it's not Ty. He has an over developed sense of right and wrong. He always has to be fair. He always has to win with sportsmanship.
"He wouldn't pay for sex," I say.
"He wouldn't. But it had been three years, and I was used to rich assholes who thought they could buy me. I didn't know what he wanted."
"He did want to fuck you."
"He did." She starts drifting into the Love Zone.
Ugh, no. "Would you have taken money for sex?"
"I don't know. Maybe. If it was him, maybe."
That's harder to believe. Yes, Indie does what it takes to survive, but she's romantic about sex and love. "Really?"
"It would make sense, wouldn't it? This guy, the best fuck of my life, shows up and offers me money for something I want to do anyway. Why wouldn't I take it?"
"It does make sense."
"But I'm not sure. I was scared to be with him again. Scared to lose him again. I didn't realize it consciously, but, deep down, I knew."
"He's that good?" I ask.
"Yes." Her expression gets dreamy. "But it's not because he has a huge dick or nimble fingers."
"It's not?"
She laughs. "Fifty percent of guys are above average size."
"I know how averages work." I take another sip. Try to find a way to phrase the question so she'll answer. "Is he not… noticeably above average?"
"We're not going there."
"You started it."
"Even so."
"He totally is."
Her cheeks flush. "It's not about that. There are guys with huge dicks who are terrible lays."
"And you know from experience?"
"I've had bad sex, yeah."
"Ever with Ty?"
"No."
I raise a brow.
She shakes her head not going there. "It's not because of his girth. It's the intimacy, the communication, the trust."
Ugh… this again. "Why do you make sex so unfun?"
She laughs. "Why do you ask for details?"
"Fish swim, birds fly—"
"Sienna Simms asks inappropriate questions about sex."
"And Indigo Simms tries to turn the questions into boring talks about boundaries?"
"Sex is all about boundaries and communication."
"Maybe the kinky sex you and Ty have."
"Definitely the kinky sex me and Ty have." For a second, she drifts into the Love Zone, then she catches herself, focuses on her tea. "We're good. You know that, right?"
"You and Ty? I am well aware of your healthy sex life."
"We're good everywhere. And I… I'm okay. Do you know that?"
"Of course."
"I'm still here. I'm still your big sister. I know you're a grown-up with your own apartment and everything, but—"
Here it comes.
"I'm still looking out for you."
"I know. I appreciate it."
She slows. Takes a long sip. Looks me over. "You kept me distracted for a while."
"Did I?"
She nods. "But I'm not leaving until we have this conversation."
Ugh.
"I know you and Cam have a certain… flirtation."
"It doesn't mean anything."
"Maybe. Maybe not. It's more than Cam. It's everything."
"So you wouldn't mind if I slept with Cam?"
Her blue eyes fill with surprise. "It's a bad idea."
Obviously.
"He's not just Ty's cousin. They're close. They're business partners. If something happened, it would be messy."
"I know."
"But you're an adult and you can consider consequences like an adult. I trust you with that."
"Why do you make it sound so boring? You should forbid me from kissing him. Tell me you'll never forgive me."
She smiles. "That would encourage you."
Probably.
"I don't really know Cam. I don't know what he wants. But I know you. You're a very appealing person."
"Why does that sound like an accusation?"
"It's not." Her voice softens. "You're my favorite person in the world."
"Before Ty?"
She nods. "You're good company. And Cam… he's human. I'm sure he notices."
"It's hard to miss."
"You're also pretty damn cute."
I feign humility. "Really?"
"And guys, even the good guys… they care about that."
"You don't say?"
She laughs. "Okay. Yes. You know men are shallow. But I'm not sure you realize how appealing you are. You're cute and bawdy and you love sports. Men are going to notice you. They already do."
"I'll use a condom."
"It's not that. Though, yes, you do need to wear a condom. Especially since you have an IUD. It increases your risk of STDs."
"I know."
"You don't need to love someone to fuck them. You don't even need to like them. But you need to trust them."
Okay…
"I know you're tough. But men are bigger and stronger and… there's this Margaret Atwood quote—"
Oh god, she's been hanging out with Ian's girlfriend too much.
"Men are afraid women will laugh at them. Women are afraid men will kill them."
"I know the quote." I hear it nearly every time Ian and Eve show up for a double date plus fifth wheel. It's like Eve thinks we forgot Margaret Atwood exists since we last saw her. Newsflash: she's the most notable Canadian author of all time. Everyone knows she exists.