Page 58 of The Loophole
“I was actually planning to ask my best friend if he’d come with me.”
He tried to hide his disappointment as he murmured, “Of course.”
“So, here’s me asking. Will you come with me to see the show, Em?”
His eyes went wide. “I’m your best friend?”
“You’re… everything.”
A gorgeous smile lit up his face. “When I bought those tickets, I meant them to be for us, so we could see the show together. But then that seemed like… I don’t know. Like I was making assumptions, I guess.”
“Feel free to assume that whatever I’m doing, I want you with me.”
He launched himself at me and planted a passionate kiss on my lips. When things started to heat up, he asked, “What do you say to meeting me in my bedroom in about fifteen minutes?”
“Yes, please.”
He kissed me again and flashed me a huge smile before darting from the room. I could hear his footsteps as he rushed up the stairs and across the second story. A minute later, the familiar rattle of old pipes told me there was water running.
I was pretty sure I knew what was about to happen, and I was equal parts nervous and excited. The first time we were intimate, it had been wonderful, but it had also been pretty one-sided. I appreciated the way Embry had eased me into the very new world of sex with a man. This time though, I was determined to give more than I took, even if I was clueless and awkward.
To pass the time, I went upstairs to my bathroom and tried to primp. After I brushed my teeth and combed my hair, I was out of ideas, so I ended up pacing around my bedroom.
At about the twelve-minute mark, Embry texted to let me know he needed ten more minutes. I replied:No problem.
Two minutes later, he sent another message:Let’s talk condoms. I get tested regularly, and all my tests have alwaysbeen negative. I’ve used rubbers whenever I’ve hooked up with random people, but you’re not random or a hookup, so if?—
The text ended abruptly. Then another popped up:Oops, I accidentally hit send. Anyway, I wanted to throw the idea out there of giving condoms a skip. You should think it over, which is why I’m texting you ahead of time. I’m fine with whatever you decide. See you in six minutes.
I didn’t need time to think about it. I replied:I’ve been tested too, also negative. I’m totally fine with skipping the condoms.
His next text said:Okay then.
Six minutes later, I sent a message to let him know I was on my way. Then I tossed the phone onto my bed and made the ten-second commute to the other side of the house.
Embry’s door was slightly ajar. I knocked, and when he told me to come in, I stepped inside and murmured, “Oh, wow.”
The scene had been set with soft lighting and even softer music. He was on the bed facing me, lying on his stomach with his hands propping up his chin. Embry was mostly naked, except for a form-fitting cropped tank top. I crossed the room and ran my gaze down the length of him, lingering on the curve of his perfect ass.
I meant it when I said, “You’re incredibly sexy.”
That made him smile. “I’m glad you think so.”
I ran my hand over his calf and asked, “Do you shave your legs?”
“Always. I like being smooth, like a seal.”
I chuckled at that and took off my pajama top, tossing it aside before climbing onto the bed. “No pressure,” he said. “We can do as much or as little as you want to this afternoon, but I prepped myself in case you decide you want to fuck me.”
“And by prepped, you mean…”
“I’m all sparkly clean, inside and out. I also worked some lube into myself and fingered my hole a bit to loosen myselfup.” I appreciated the matter-of-fact way he told me all of that, without a hint of embarrassment. “By the way, I don’t think we ever talked about it, but I only bottom,” he continued. “If you’d prefer to be penetrated, we still have options—toys, fingers, that big cucumber in the fridge…”
I stretched out on my side next to him, using one hand to prop up my head while I rested my other hand on his lower back. “That’s not something I’ve ever been interested in or curious about,” I admitted.
“Well, if you ever change your mind, we usually have a full produce drawer at your disposal. Think of the possibilities! We could get sexy with squash, or tawdry with turnips, or randy with radishes—” I pressed a kiss to his lips, and he grinned and said, “You did that to shut me up.”
“Correct. You were about to put me off salad for good.”