“What do you mean?”
“In bed. If we’re going to do this, I’m going to make it feel damn good, even if we’re just temporary.”
She swallows. “Yes, I-I think so.”
I’m not convinced, but she might pleasantly surprise me like she did with her competent professionalism during our interview. Besides, I’m good at asking questions. “Then I think we can make this work.”
She takes a sip of beer. “When do we start?”
“Right now. We’re going to sit here, drink our beers, and talk. You’re going to tell me what I need to know.”
“Like what?”
Everything.“Have you ever had a one-night stand?”
Her blank stare tells me the answer. “Um…”
“I’ll take that as a no.”
“But I understand the concept. I know it’s nothing like dating.”
“They’re night and day.” I murmur, leaning close to her. So close, I can smell a faint hint of perfume combined with her sweet, feminine musk. I need all my restraint to keep myself from pulling her into my arms and kissing her senseless. “It’s just sex. You spend a sweaty night together. The next day, you separate and go about your lives as usual.”
“But if I’m learning to have sex without getting attached, why bother getting to know each other?”
“Because I want to understand how you think. And If I’m going to help you up your game, I need to know the way you flirt, how you approach guys, the type you’re attracted to, and what led you to believe they were your forever.”
“Wow, you need to knowallthat?”
“Well, before any one-night stand, there’s flirtation, conversation, and some brief getting to know you. You have to have spontaneity. Show him you’re a noncommittal, go-with-the-flow type of girl. That’s one way to stop the cycle of committing too fast.”
“I know how to talk to guys, but if all I’m looking for is sex, why do we have to talk at all?”
“That’s a valid question. Even though sex is meaningless, you don’t want to come across as easy. Who you choose may be attractive across the room, but he might be dangerous when you get up close and personal. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“Fair point.” She stays silent for a few moments. “I’ve got a bunch to learn, huh?”
“It’s not so hard once you get the hang of it.”
“You’ve done this a lot, haven’t you?”
“My fair share.” And then some.
She frowns. “If all you want from a woman is sex, why do you care if she gives good conversation?”
I shrug. “Who doesn’t want to spend the night with someone interesting?”
“I guess.” But Kiera doesn’t seem convinced. No, she looks as if that never occurred to her. “The truth is, I know how to talk to guys, but I don’t do it well. It always ends up awkward.”
“We can work on that with some role-play. It’s probably not as bad as you think. You’re talking to me. This isn’t too awkward…is it?”
“You’re different. I know you, and I’m not trying to impress you, just get information.”
“Exactly. You don’t need to impress anyone. You just need to be yourself.”
She sighs in relief. “I can do that.”
Though Kiera seems anxious to learn, I worry she’s getting in over her head, that she’s doing something she thinks she should, not something she actually wants.