After a few seconds of silence, we both laughed.
Things were going perfectly well, but I had to be clear about my virginity. I wasn’t sure if he even read that part of my message since we hadn’t yet discussed it.
“Matt,” I said, then I quickly bit my lip. Just say it! “Did you read the part where I said I’m a virgin?” I finished in a near-whisper.
“Oh.” His eyes opened big. If he had no idea, I might have just ruined everything. Or by Parvati’s advice, maybe I made things better? “Right. Yes, I remember you said that.”
Thank God, he read it.
“It’s just…” He paused to lean up and grab his glass. “I don’t think this arrangement will involve that.”
“It won’t?”
Matt was taking a drink when I answered. After he swallowed, he shook his head. “Jourdanne, I need to tell you something about why I’ve sought out a… companion.” It was cute how he wouldn’t say the words sugar baby. “You see, I’m in a relationship already. My partner travels a lot for work, and he suggested that I find someone to satisfy me while he’s gone.”
“Oh.” Boyfriend? I hadn’t realized he was bisexual, but more importantly, I was sad that he wasn’t single. Matt wasn’t interested in me at all, he was just in need of a friend, or whatever he had in mind. I should have known better, really. It was a website for rich men to find pretty playthings. It wasn’t a dating app for serious relationships. I should never have gotten my hopes up.
“I wanted to talk to you about this in person.”
“Thank you,” I said to him, then leaned over and took my glass in hand. I drank down a heavy gulp, then leaned back in the loveseat. Matt’s eyes were all over me, most likely awaiting my response. And what was I to say? “I don’t want to break up a relationship.”
“No, of course.” He leaned a little closer to me to exaggerate his words, and in the process, a plume of his cologne hit me hard. I blinked heavily for a pause, then recomposed myself on the seat.
“So, there won’t be any physical interactions?”
Matt’s eyes pierced mine as if he were imagining what we could do together. Again, it sent a flurry of sensations through my stomach, and this time, down between my legs. I let out a long breath, then lifted my chin. The reality of everything was starting to hit me, as was the whiskey, and I thought maybe it was time I leave.
“It was really nice of you to invite me over,” I said as I put the glass on the coffee table and got up from the loveseat.
“You don’t have to leave.”
He stood immediately and put his glass down too. This time, his was the one to make the loud clang.
I gave a bashful smile, then walked around the coffee table with my hands twirling together at my waist.
“I just… I’m not sure about this,” I said, backing away until I felt another table at my legs. I almost fell over trying to leave the room and all it did was make Matt smile. His sweet and light laughter wasn’t at all condescending, it was actually refreshing. He was every bit inviting, no matter what he was doing. My heart was melting for him already, but he had a boyfriend apparently, and I wasn’t about to ruin that for him.
“Jourdanne, please. Stay a little longer. There’s more I want to discuss.”
I stood there as he came closer to me. Did he truly want to spend more time with me? A man of his wealth and beauty could certainly have anyone he wanted. I wasn’t that special. But maybe in his eyes I was.
Matt reached out his hand as his brow fluttered tenderly. “Let me show you around as we talk.”
What harm could it do? I nodded along, then slid my hand into his and a new rush of tingling raced over my skin and up my arm.
MATT
Matt
Jourdanne trembled in my grasp for a split second, and it gave me the slightest sense of the chills. She was purely delightful. Everything about her had exceeded my expectations from the second I met her. Not only was she genuine and humble, but she was heavenly in her beauty. Those bright blue eyes of hers were just too delicate to stare into. I knew I’d eventually get lost in them; it was only a matter of time.
With her hand in mine, I pulled her close to me and led her around the house. It had been too long since I entertained a guest, and I was revelling in the experience. I showed her different pieces of art, the grand piano that sat in the room near the patio, and the dining room where Leandro and I hadn’t shared a meal in weeks. Thankfully, however, Leandro and our troubles were the last things on my mind.