Worth the Wait

chapter 11


Tasha loved Charleston. The smell of the harbor, the historic buildings, the epitome of Southern lifestyle all combined to make Charleston one of her favorite cities. Even though she was only a ninety-minute drive from the beautiful city, she hardly had time to visit. Charleston was a place for lovers, and being a single virgin made it hard for her to come alone. The last time she’d visited was two years ago for a family reunion. Although she’d loved walking through downtown with her family, she’d still felt a pang of longing as she watched all of the couples in her family hold hands and chase after their kids along those cobbled streets.

She’d imagined visiting here often when she was married, but never had she expected to be here with a man just to have sex. It was the total opposite of every daydream she’d had about coming here. Charleston wasn’t a place for weekend flings or unattached sex. It wasn’t Las Vegas. But Jared had chosen the city she associated with romance as the place for their encounter. She wasn’t going to tell him how strongly her feelings were attached to the place and make a weird situation worse.

She’d done all she could to break the tension in the car. Playing travel games was something she’d done as a child to pass the time. It had seemed like the easiest thing to do to take both of their minds off why they were coming, as if that were possible. She didn’t know why, but she could tell her request had rattled him. Jared treated most women as interchangeable playthings — she wasn’t much better since she was using him for sex — but it was her first time and she wanted it to be somewhat special.

She hadn’t expected him to take her to Motel 6, but she couldn’t hide her surprise when he pulled into a garage for a condominium on Broad Street in Charleston’s French Quarter.

“You rented a condo?”

He cut the engine and winked. “I bought this condo last year just for the view of the harbor at sunrise.”

“I never would have thought you had a romantic streak.”

His head snapped back. “What’s romantic about that?”

She laughed. “Don’t get all wrapped up about it. Just the fact that you bought this place so you can watch the sunrise over the harbor is almost poetic.”

“Well, don’t tell my brother or best friend. If they hear the word poetic and my name in the same sentence I’ll never live it down.”

They got out of the car and Jared grabbed their bags out of the back. The lobby had an elegant modern décor, with tall ceilings that filled the area with light.

He punched in a code for the elevator and Tasha’s heart did a tap dance in her chest as they rode to the top floor. It was time. They were finally here. He was going to officially deflower her. Her palms grew sweaty with anxiety and excitement. She did want this, there was no use denying it, but was she really ready for it?

Jared turned and squeezed her hand. “Let’s go.”

She nodded stiffly and followed him off the elevator. Her stomach was tied in so many knots she couldn’t appreciate the panoramic views of downtown Charleston and the Cooper River. Her feet carried her through the tastefully furnished living room to the bedroom. A massive king bed sat in the middle of the room facing large windows that overlooked the harbor. She swallowed hard. Another altar for the god of sex where she would be sacrificed. Would he want to do it immediately? The way he’d looked at her at her house, as if he wanted to pounce on her, flashed through her mind. He’d almost sexed her in the middle of her vegetable garden. There was no denying he’d want to do it as soon as possible.

Her hands trembled and her breath came in short pants. She took a step backward and collided with his chest. Her body jerked and she tried to move away but his hands came up instantly to grab her forearms and pull her against his body. His erection pressed against her buttocks and despite her anxiety, desire languidly slid throughout her. It was time to get it over with. She reached up to the straps of her dress and began to push it off her shoulders.

Jared’s hands came up to stop her and she stiffened in his arms. Why drag this out? Why increase her anxiety? She wanted to lose her virginity and she wanted to lose it now.

He moved a hand from her shoulder and placed it against her chest, right above her breasts, before leaning over to kiss her ear. “Your heart is pounding.”

Still breathing as if she’d run a marathon, Tasha opened her mouth to answer but nothing came out.

“I’m not going to pounce on you, Tasha. I told you I wanted to make this special for you and jumping you the minute we enter my condo is not the way to do that.”

She swallowed loudly and took a few more breaths before she could talk. “Why keep waiting? It’s obvious we both want this, we’re here, the bed’s ready, let’s get it over with.”

The rumble of his laugh against her back caused her to stiffen. “There are many things I want you to say before we have sex, but let’s get it over with isn’t one of them.” He kissed her ear again before slowly trailing kisses down the side of her neck. When he softly sucked on the sensitive spot where her neck and shoulders met her tension evaporated. His hand slid beneath her dress to cup her breast, which was bare beneath the v-neck. Her knees buckled when he took the nipple between his forefinger and thumb and squeezed gently. His other hand shot around her waist to hold her against him. “This is your weekend, Tasha. You asked me here as a friend, so I’m treating you like a friend and will let you decide when the time is right. If you hadn’t dragged that promise out of me, I’d have you naked and on top of that bed right now. So when you’re ready just tell me. Today or Sunday, it doesn’t matter. Okay?”

She nodded and he squeezed her breast again. “Right now, I think we should eat,” he said. His hand slowly slid away from her breast and she trembled as his fingers brushed across her nipple. He hesitated only a second before letting her go and turning her to face him. Desire burned hot in his eyes, and she looked for signs that he was upset about her hesitancy. She was the one who’d asked him, and kissed him like a maniac before leaving Columbia, so he had every right to be frustrated with her.

He leaned over and brushed his lips briefly across hers before chuckling.

“Why are you laughing?” she asked.

He brought her hand to his lips. “Because, I can’t believe I just told you that. Malcolm would have a heart attack if he could see me now.”

She nodded. “This friend and lover thing is new to you, but don’t worry, it’s only for one weekend.”

Disappointment flashed in his eyes so briefly she couldn’t be sure if it was really there. Regardless of what he may think, this couldn’t last more than a weekend. Once her virginity was gone, she could start looking for a husband. Jared was the last man she needed to keep around if she wanted to get married.

Instead of replying to her comment, he tugged on her arm. “Come on. Let’s go eat before I say anything else that can be classified as romantic, noble, or decent.”

She laughed and followed him out.