“Della.” He swallowed. “You told me you didn’t want to be in a relationship. That you just wanted to experiment and have some fun. That you weren’t after anything serious.”

“Yes. And I meant it.”

She wasn’t thinking about anything other than her own sexual education and physical pleasure. Maybe she should be paying more heed to the potential emotional ramifications down the track, but horniness really did make people stupid.

“I’m not trying to…get a ring out of you, Tucker.” Far from it. If that’s what was stopping him, she could put that worry to bed right now.

“I’m not interested in getting married and having babies with you. I’m not interested in that with any man. After years trapped in hell, I have a lot of making up to do, and I intend to spend the rest of my life doing just that, being footloose and fancy free. This is just my way of trying to…fast-track my experience so I’m more equipped to deal with the men who might be in my future.”

“I thought that was why you joined Tinder?”

“Yeah. It was. But if Tinder taught me anything, it’s how completely disingenuous people can be, whereas I already know you. I know what kind of guy you are. I know your intentions are good. That you’ll do what you say you’re going to do, that you’ll turn up when you say you’re going to turn up, that you won’t lie or ditch me for a better offer or send me phallic food pics. I trust you, Tuck. And I promise it’ll just be a temporary thing. Long enough for me to learn the ropes, to get comfortable with sex and being sexy, and then we’re done.”

“Just like that?” He looked at her as if she’d lost her mind. “Just walk away?”

“Yes. Why not?” She could do that, damn it. “We’re already friends, and I don’t want to lose that. I’m just saying, why not enjoy some benefits for a little while?”

“Della…friends with benefits doesn’t work.”

“Says who?”

“Says everyone who’s ever thought they could get away with it.”

“And what if we’re the exceptions?”

“There aren’t any exceptions.”

Maybe if he didn’t seem so determined to shoot everything down, she’d have listened to his warnings, but right now it all just seemed like excuses. She sighed, knowing what was underpinning this reticence. “Would this be an easier choice if I wasn’t Arlo’s sister?”

That was pretty much the only thing she couldn’t fix.

He shook his head. “It’s not just that. It’s… What about your history? I think that’s going to come into play more than you give it credit for.”