“What did you think I wanted to talk about?”
“Oh, I don’t know. The fact that we just had sex, perhaps? The fact that you basically told me it meant nothing? The fact that I know that’s bullshit?”
“So you’re saying that safe sex isn’t important?”
“Oh, for God’s sake, Talon. Of course safe sex is important. You have nothing to fear from me. I have been monogamous the last seven years, and I’ve been on the pill for the last ten. You know I just ended a long relationship. I’m the one who should be concerned about you.”
“You certainly weren’t concerned last night, because you didn’t insist that I use a condom.”
She let out a huff. “Absolutely right. I got lost in the moment. It was stupid, and it was irresponsible. But I promise you, I do not have HIV. I do not have herpes. I do not have gonorrhea or syphilis or chlamydia. I do not have any other disgusting little mite growing down there.”
“All right.”
She was telling the truth. I knew it. Her face had turned pink, and more tears flooded her eyes.
I was a jerk.
“But since you’re so concerned,” she continued, “why don’t give me a rundown on your sexual history? I would bet it’s way more exciting than mine.”
My sexual history… She had no idea. But I was clean. I always used condoms, and I got tested for everything every six months, whether I’d been active or not. Maybe it was a little OCD, but I couldn’t help it. “I was last tested two months ago. I can show you the results if you’d like.”
“The results don’t mean jack shit if you had sex with someone other than me in the last two months.”
I had. A cocktail waitress had thrown herself at me in a bar in Grand Junction about a month ago. But I’d used a condom that night, as well as the next night when I saw her again. Other than that, I hadn’t had any encounters since my last test. A little slow for me, but it wasn’t like I ever went out looking for it. They usually came to me, and as long as the woman didn’t look dirty, I allowed it. A man had needs, after all. I took what was offered.
I didn’t want to tell Jade about the indiscretion, but I had just fucked her. She had a right to know she was safe.
“Only a couple of times in the last two months, and all with the same woman. I used a condom every time.”
A look of distress cast a shadow over her pretty face, but only for a split second. “Then why didn’t you use a condom with me? Surely you keep a good supply on hand.”
I did. She was right about that. What could I say to answer question? That I’d wanted her so badly I’d lost my mind? That I’d been so crazy with desire I had forgotten to be safe? That had never happened before, even in Iraq, where everyone was so needy and was looking for comfort wherever he could find it. If I didn’t have a condom on me, I didn’t do it, no matter how beautiful or desirable the woman was, no matter how much my cock wanted release. I never had intercourse without a condom. Ever.
Until last night.
“I guess I just…forgot.”
She nodded. “I see. And I understand.”
“No, you don’t understand. You think I just wanted you so much that I forgot. That’s not the case at all.”
“It’s not? I readily admit that’s absolutely the case with me. I knew I was safe from pregnancy, and I knew I was disease-free, yet I knew nothing about you. But I will admit to you, Talon, that I wanted you so much, I was so star-crossed with desire for you, that I forgot to be careful. I don’t condone it. I’m embarrassed to say it. But that is the goddamned truth.”
My cock stirred. She had worked up quite a head of steam, and her body flushed all over a shade of pink so perfect… I wanted her again.
How was this happening to me?
I knew. I had come so quickly that I hadn’t had enough of her to ease my ache yet. I would have to fuck her again.
Now seemed like an opportune time.
I stood and stalked toward her.
“What are you doing?”
“What we both want right now.” I bent down and kissed her lips.
She turned away from me, my lips sliding across her cheek.
“How dare you? You just said I meant nothing to you. That last night meant nothing. You came running into my room, worried that I have given you some horrible, disgusting, blistering disease. And now you want to fuck me again?”
“Yeah. I do.” What else was there to say?
“Get the hell out of my room.”
“I think this is actually my room, since you’re living in my house.” Had I really just said that? Christ, how petty.
“You’re going to play that card, huh?” She rose. “That’s fine. I feel like I’m imposing on you guys anyway. I’m making a little working for Ryan, and as soon as my bar results come in, I’ll find a job as an attorney. If not here, in Grand Junction. I think maybe I’ll go into town this morning and find my own place to live.”
Now what had I done? The thought of her leaving tore me in half. “Look, Marjorie wants you here.”