“Sorry.” She laughed and sniffled. “I know I’m not making much sense. One day I’m here saying I just want to be friends and three days later I’m here trying to seduce you.”

“It worked like a charm.”

More muffled laughter, then she let me go. “I know. And it’s not that I’m sorry, but I feel like I need to be honest with you about why I came here tonight.”

I took her by the shoulders and held her at arm’s length. “Sylvia, you can totally say it was for my massive dick. I won’t be offended. In fact, I’ll like it.”

She smiled. “That was definitely part of it.”

“Good. Confess the rest if you must, but whatever it is, I promise I’m okay with it.”

“Even if it was selfish?”

“You’re going to tell me you came for the orgasms? No pun intended.”

She laughed. “Kind of. I had a really terrible day, and I wanted to feel better. Originally, I went to the winery only to talk to you, but you weren’t there, and I was really sad. Because I feel like I can tell you anything and you understand. You always know what to say to make me feel better. So I decided to come find you.”

“God, I’m glad I never gave you my phone number.”

She smiled, shaking her head. “I wouldn’t have used it. Because the more I thought about it, the more I wanted something beyond conversation. I’ve been so sad for so long, Henry. I’ve felt so unwanted and undesirable. Words are nice, but they can still be lies. I wanted to feel with my body—and with yours—the kind of desire that can’t be faked. I needed proof that you find me beautiful and sexy. I wanted to be so tempting you couldn’t resist. I wanted to have that kind of power over you and give you that kind of power over me. Does that make sense?”

“I think so.” I paused, running a hand over my jaw. “Is it terrible that I just really wanted to fuck you?”

Her head fell back as she burst out laughing. “No,” she said. “That is actually perfect.”

“Is it terrible that I’m already thinking about doing it again?”

Her laughter died down, but a smile stayed on her lips. “No.”

“Good.” I swept her off her feet and started walking toward my bedroom. “Because I wasn’t about to let you leave.”

11. Sylvia

Eleven

Sylvia

He carried me to his bedroom. Carried me. Like I was a bride, or he was a caveman, or maybe like he was a fireman rescuing me from a burning building and taking me to safety—and I did feel safe in his arms.

But I felt other things too. Deliciously naughty. Unabashedly sexy. Fearlessly free to say and do and have everything I wanted.