“That’s not what I mean. I talked to Janet Mead this morning. You remember Janet, don’t you? From high school.”
A pleased look spread across his face, and it was topped off by a sly glimmer in his eye. At least he remembered the women he fucked.
“I remember Janet. Your brother and I...” He shook his head. “That’s inappropriate.” “She remembers you fondly.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. She described, in detail, her experience with you.”
“Not surprised. Janet wasn’t the shyest girl in school.” Aleks threw the towel down on the bed. “That’s what bothers you? That I didn’t tell you I slept with some girl from high school.”
“No! That’s not why I’m mad. Janet told me what you were like. She said you were talented.” He straightened his body. Carrie could feel his arrogance floating off his still wet upper body. “So you’re mad that she had a good time with me.”
“No! I’m mad because you held back. You weren’t you. Janet said you were controlling and confident. You took what you wanted, and you were...” “Were?”
“A master of more than one point of entry.”
His eyes widened. He looked shocked but not shocked enough to be speechless. It was clear by the look on his face he didn’t like where this conversation was going. The truth was, it made her sick talking to Janet. The very thought of Aleks touching her. Ugh, Janet was a dirty slut!
“Why are you so bent out of shape?”
“Even in having sex you treated me like a kid. I told you I wanted what all the other girls had. I wanted to be with you.”
“You were with me.”
“The real you.”
“How do you know that wasn’t the real me? Maybe it’s all just an act.”
Could it be? False bravado. After all these years the sexually confident, charmingly arrogant
man she knew was afraid.
“Janet Mead was a slut, Carrie. There was no reason to–”
“Treat her with kindness? You’re a pig.”
“No, that’s not what I meant. She didn’t want love. She just wanted sex. All the girls I date, that’s all they want.”
“And you are more than happy to give it to them.”
“Why not?” He shrugged.
“Why not me? Why can’t you give me what you gave them?” “You’re not them. I don’t...”
Carrie sauntered forward, throwing her purse on the bed. “You need to stop seeing me as a little girl.” Her jacket hit the brown comforter next. She lifted her shirt over her head and stood in front of him.
“Carrie, what are you doing?”
“I don’t want you to hold back.” She slid the zipper of her skirt down and let it puddle on the floor at her feet. Carrie was happy she’d chosen the matching underwear set that morning. If he wasn’t going to give her what she wanted, she was going to take it. “I want you, Aleks. All of you. Good, bad, scary, aggressive. Whatever it is, I want it.”
Aleks tensed as his eyes surveyed her body.
“I need this, Aleks. We never have to speak of it again. But I need you. I need to know I’ve had you.”
“Why?”
Carrie stared at him for a long time before she decided to tell the truth. Maybe it would open his eyes. Maybe it would bring them closer together. If nothing else, maybe now he could see her as a sexual being, a woman and not a little girl that he needed to protect.