And there was a lot erotic about the way she happily, unashamedly devoured her risotto. The stirrings he’d been battling in his loins refired. Idly, he wondered if she would have the same enthusiastic appetite in the bedroom.
As if she could read his mind, once she’d cleared most of her bowl she went straight back on topic. ‘If I have sex with you and I don’t like it, will you expect me to have sex with you again?’
‘No.’
‘What if we’re actually having sex and I don’t like it and ask you to stop?’
‘Then I would stop.’
‘Has that happened to you before?’
‘No.’
‘Would your ego be bruised?’
‘Probably.’
‘Would you hate me for it?’
‘I would hope not.’
She considered this then nodded. ‘I wouldn’t hate you if you decided you didn’t like having sex with me. If we have sex, will it change the dynamic of our relationship?’
‘Probably.’
‘For good or bad?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘So it would be a risk? I’m just thinking that we’re going to spend the next year living together so we have to weigh up whether having sex is worth the risk.’
‘Every action we take in life involves a degree of risk.’
‘But we have evolved to mitigate most risks. We wear seat belts in cars, helmets on motorbikes... Do you wear condoms?’
‘Always.’
‘Do you have condoms?’
‘Yes.’
‘Sensible. If we get as far as having sex you’ll have to wear one because, for obvious reasons, I’ve never taken contraception.’ She finished her wine then topped both their glasses up. ‘So, what do you think? Do you still want to have sex with me after all that?’
He gazed into the dark brown eyes and thought a man could sink into them and never come back up for air. ‘More than I have ever wanted anything. And you? Are you willing to take the risk too?’
‘Oh, yes...so long as you accept that I might change my mind halfway through.’ She shrugged apologetically. ‘I don’t know how I will feel when we’re naked and doing stuff so I can’t promise anything.’
‘Everyone has a right to change their minds.’
‘So you accept that I might change my mind?’
‘I will accept whatever you’re willing to give.’
‘Then shall we go home and possibly have sex?’
He arched a brow. ‘Now?’
She looked at their almost empty plates. ‘Unless you want dessert?’