Lovely.

I picked up my phone and toyed with it.

I wasn’t against sexting. I’m sure people really loved it, but the thing was, I’d never done it.

That’s right. I was one week away from my twenty-sixth birthday and I’d never, ever sent a dirty text message.

I wasn’t even sure I knew how to.

I crossed the room to Lucifer and smoothed its head, whispering a goodnight. Grabbing my wine glass, I shut off all the lights and shut the door, then went up to my bedroom.

I gingerly perched on the edge of my bed. I could do this, right? I could sext. Like Fran said, I’d probably never see this guy again. It didn’t really matter that I didn’t know what he looked like.

In fact, it was for the best.

This way, I could imagine he was Liam Hemsworth or Nick Jonas or someone equally as panty-meltingly hot like that.

All right.

Nick Jonas it was.

ME: I’ve never sexted before.

His response was swift, coming seconds after I’d changed for bed.

NUMBER NEIGHBOR: Your friends left, didn’t they?

ME: Showed themselves out like the jerks they are.

NN: *laughing emoji* we all have friends like that.

NN: You’ve really never sexted before?

ME: No. Is it that unusual?

NN: I don’t know. I had a long distance relationship, so it kind of became normal for that.

ME: Never had one of those. I guess I had no need to.

NN: All right. Well, I’ll take your sexting virginity, if you’re willing.

ME: I have nothing left to lose at this point. Well, except my sexting virginity.

NN: All right. Let’s do this. I’ll start.

Let’s do this indeed.

NN: So your favorite sex position is doggy? Shoulders down or up?

ME: This is woefully unexciting if this is sexting.

NN: I’m trying to picture it in my mind so I can tell you.

ME: You don’t know what I look like.

NN: This is the only time I can justify imagining fucking Scarlett Johansson. Work with me, stranger.

ME: K, fine. You’re Nick Jonas in my head anyway.

NN: Right. Shoulders up or down?

ME: Depends how hard you’re going to pull my hair.

NN: …Up it is.

ME: I like this.

NN: What color IS your hair?

ME: Dark brown.

NN: That works. Ready for this?

ME: I don’t think I have a choice.

NN: Sure you do. But you should know that I’m already hard.

Wow. Okay. Sexting did come with perks, even if it was a stranger.

ME: This better be good. Go. Wow me.

NN: I lean forward and kiss you, putting my fingers in your hair. One hand cups the back of your neck so you can’t pull away, and I tease your lips with my tongue.

My thighs clenched together ever so slightly.

NN: You squirm against me, kissing me back. As I kiss you harder, I run my hands down your body and remove your dress, leaving it to fall at your feet. You’re wearing red underwear to match your lipstick, and I push you back toward the bed where you fall onto it.