“I have not,” Kester admitted. “But only because I’ve never been in a situation that called for it. I haven’t had sex with anyone since I moved in with The Wanderers two years ago. It just… well, there aren’t many single women, and I’ve never felt the kind of connection I feel with you with any woman ever, and certainly not here in the compound.”
Ariel shifted her attention to Tarin. He was running his free hand down his face and his cheeks were bright red.
Kester chuckled. “You dog. When on earth did you have the opportunity to have a ménage? You’ve been living here since you were seventeen.”
Tarin swallowed hard and pursed his lips, his face turning redder.
Ariel squeezed his hand. “You don’t have to answer. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot.”
Tarin met her gaze, ignoring Kester. “I haven’t had a ménage either.”
“Tarin,” Kester shouted, teasing him. “You’ve been with more than three people at a time? I’m so surprised.”
Ariel shot him a glare. “Stop it.”
Kester sobered, wincing at her. “Sorry. I’m just shocked, and a little jealous. I didn’t know Tarin was such a closet stud muffin. He’s so quiet and buttoned up and proper.”
Ariel yanked her hand free of his grip and swatted at him. “Kester, I said stop.” When she turned her attention back to Tarin, she regretted ever asking this question. It hadn’t been fair of her to ask both of them together. It was private. She shouldn’t expect either man to share his past sexual encounters with the other. Plus, Tarin was rubbing his temples and his eyes were closed.
Silence filled the room.
“I’m sorry,” Ariel whispered. “Don’t answer my question. It was uncalled for.”
Kester reached over and gave Tarin a playful nudge. “I’m sorry too. Don’t tell me about it. I’ll just get more jealous.”
Tarin drew in a breath and lifted his gaze, though he looked like he’d prefer to fall through a crack in the ground. “I’m a virgin.”
Ariel’s heart was racing.
Kester didn’t move a single muscle.
It wasn’t that Tarin had slept with a lot of women. It was that he hadn’t slept with anyone.
Kester finally groaned. “Tarin, man, I feel like an asshole.”
Tarin waved a hand through the air. “Don’t. It’s no big deal. Just a fact. Who the hell would I have slept with? I’ve been here ten years. I live with my mom, for God’s sake. I haven’t dated a single woman at all, let alone had sex with them.” He shifted his weight nervously.
Ariel wanted to hug him. Hell, she wanted to climb into his lap and relax. She wasn’t the only damn virgin in the group. It was an unexpected relief.
“Don’t…” Tarin swallowed. “Just, can we drop it? Don’t make a big deal out of it. It’s not like I don’t know how to have sex or anything. I just haven’t done it. And I kind of wanted to find someone special. Screwing around with the few women living here who have a reputation of sleeping with whoever wants them just never appealed to me.”
Ariel stood, stepped closer to him, and cupped his face.
He tipped his head back to look up at her. “You’re the first woman I’ve met who made my heart race and my palms sweat.” He set his hands on her hips. “I didn’t want to have sex just to get it out of the way.”
She smiled. “Thank you for telling me.”
“’K, I’m just a dick,” Kester muttered.
“You’re not.” Ariel turned to him.
He rubbed his head and sighed. “So, apparently, none of us have a clue where we go from here. We’re just going to wing it and do what feels right.” He leaned back against the cushions and waved a hand through the air, his gaze landing on Ariel. “Would you please kiss him? I can’t stand all the staring at each other.”
Ariel frowned. “You want me to kiss Tarin while you watch?”
“Yes. I believe I do.”
Ariel turned back to Tarin, her hands sliding down to his shoulders.