As he looked a little dazed and was blinking more than was normal, she thought it best to add, ‘That’s if you still want something physical to happen between us?’
He took one long last blink, straightened, drank half the wine in his glass then fixed his stare back on her. His lips curved into a half-smile. ‘Yes, bella, I want that very much.’
‘I like you calling me that.’
‘Bella?’
She nodded. Every time he called her it, a warm glow fizzed inside her.
‘It suits you.’
‘Thank you. So, can we go through my list?’
He took a deep breath, obviously bracing himself, then inclined his head. ‘Go ahead.’
‘Does sex hurt the first time or is that an urban myth?’
There was a flickering in his eyes. ‘It doesn’t hurt men but it’s different for women. I think it can be uncomfortable the first time but, from what I understand, so long as you’re relaxed and ready, the discomfort is fleeting.’
‘How will I know if I’m ready?’
‘Your body will tell you.’
‘How?’
‘Trust me, you’ll know.’
Unconvinced at this assertion, Clara looked at her list for the next question. ‘What if we get naked and I decide I want to stop?’
‘Then we stop.’
‘Have you had sex with a virgin before?’
‘No.’
She shot her stare back to him. ‘But you’re sure you’ll know if I’m ready?’
‘No, bella, you will know.’
Still unconvinced, she said, ‘Do you promise?’
‘I promise.’
Hmm. She supposed time would tell. If it got that far.
‘What was your first time like?’
‘Over much too quickly,’ he deadpanned.
She sniggered. ‘How do you know if it’s over too quickly?’
‘As a rule, if the man comes before the woman, then it’s over too quickly.’
She opened her mouth to ask her next question but before she could speak, their waiter returned to the table.
Marcelo exhaled slowly, glad of the reprieve the arrival of their main course brought.
Never in his life had he had a conversation like it. Strangely, there was something erotic about the businesslike manner Clara approached the subject.