“You’re a virgin?” he says softly. All I can do is nod.
“Wow, I’m just a little surprised. You have one hot body and are so gorgeous, I thought for sure you probably had a boyfriend.” His compliment eases my discomfort.
“I grew up very sheltered and my Mom never let me out of her sight. I never had a chance to get into any trouble,” I confess. Jakes hand lightly caresses my cheek.
“If I had a daughter as pretty as you I wouldn’t let you out of my sight either,” he teases with a smile spreading across his face that I catch a glimpse of in his darkened bedroom. He tenderly kisses my lips and I deepen the kiss as I wrap my arms around his neck.
“Are you sure?” he asks, pulling away from our kiss. He is going to break down my resolve of doing this, getting it over with once and for all.
“Yes,” I pant out before I lose my nerve.
“I don’t feel right about it. You’re not ready, you’re so tense,” he says. Damn, he can’t be serious, this can’t be happening. Am I ever going to lose it? I don’t believe this bad boy doesn’t want to take advantage of me. What’s wrong with me?
“Is something wrong with me?” I blurt out before I can stop myself.
“God no. You’re breathtakingly beautiful and so damn sexy. Didn’t you notice how I couldn’t stop staring at you? But your first time should be special you know?” Jake says tenderly. Wow, who knew behind the tattoo, smoking and the motorcycle lays a man with a heart.
Around 3:00 in the morning I leave Jake’s apartment. We never did the dirty deed. He said he wanted to wait, can you believe that one? When am I going to lose my virginity? All I know is that I need to ask Deena to extend this bet, I need more time.
two
CLARISSA
It’s Thursday night and Deena drags Lexi and I out to a Fiji party tonight. Lexi looks a little intimidated by the rowdy Fiji frat boys. They’re one of the wilder party houses, that’s for sure. I spot Jason across the room and he’s making his way over to me. Seems like he’s been here awhile and he’s been drinking, I can smell it on his breath.
“Let’s dance,” he says taking my hand and leading me to the dance floor. It Was Always You by Maroon 5 is blaring throughout the backyard. I love this song and get into it undulating hips and all. Then just my luck, a slow song plays next, A Thousand Years, by Christina Perri, her melodious voice permeates through the air. I start to walk off and Jason grabs my hand.
“Come on, dance with me,” he coaxes with that irresistible smile of his. This could be trouble, but I can’t be rude so I acquiesce into his arms as he pulls me in close to his warm hard body. That kiss he gave me a few weeks ago flashes through my mind…
“You know I want you Clarissa, the way you dance turns me on,” he whispers huskily in my ear.
“Jason, please don’t do this or I’m walking off this dance floor right now,” I say in a firm voice so he knows I mean business.
“Ok, ok, I’ll stop whispering sweet nothings in your ear,” he says jokingly. I pull away slightly, he’s had a little too much to drink, I can tell. He keeps pulling me tighter to his hard, hard body that’s becoming difficult to resist. I see Deena staring at us with a knowing smile. I can’t wait for this song to end. I’m afraid Jason may try and kiss me again in his inebriated state. The song finally ends and I break away from him and walk off the dance floor and try to find a place to seek refuge from temptation, but temptation is following me into the house.
“Clarissa, where are you going?” he calls after me, hot on my trail.
“Jason, I already told you, we can only be friends. I’m leaving,” I say as I keep walking out the front door of the Fiji Frat house.
“Are you going to your secret lover in Beverly Hills?”
“What?” I stop and turn around to see what he knows.
“Who is your secret boyfriend, Clarissa?” Jason asks loudly and a few people turn and look at us.
“Why do you care so much? Mind your own damn business. What, are you following me?”
“Why is he such a secret?”
“Goodnight Jason, I’m out of here.”
“You can’t walk home alone,” he says, walking next to me. I don’t say a single word all the way home. Then I walk straight into my building leaving Jason standing there. Damn, he had someone follow me. I send him a text as soon as I get in and crash down on my bed.
Clarissa: Don’t you dare follow me again.
I won’t let Jason intimidate me.
I want to warn Grant. I need to tell him, but he will be livid. What the hell am I going to do? I can’t risk anyone finding out. It could cost Grant his job and I don’t know what the University would do to me. Shit. Shit. Shit. Should I end it with Grant to protect him? We knew we were playing with fire, but can my heart and body walk away? I feel like crying tonight as I curl up tight into a little ball under my comforter. The thought of breaking it off with Grant depresses me to no end.
three