Page 119 of The Virgin Romance Novelist Chronicles
“That’s fine,” he said, getting off me.
I sat up and looked down to find that the crisp and clean sheets were now covered in blood.
“Holy hell, it looks like someone sacrificed a lamb,” I said, wondering if everything was okay down below.
“Hold on, let me get a warm towel to wipe things up.”
I took in the sight of Henry’s tight rear end as he shuffled off the bed, shucked his condom, and threw on a pair of athletic shorts that were in his closet. Never thought I would be checking out my best friend, but damn if I couldn’t help it now.
Within seconds, Henry reappeared with a washcloth. Taking charge, he spread my legs, which made me blush, and started cleaning me up. To say I felt mortified was an understatement. I’d read about men cleaning girls in books and how it was a kind gesture, which it was, but for a girl who’d just started spreading her legs for the man cleaning her, I felt like clenching my thighs shut, not caring if his hand was still in there or not, but I refrained.
“There, you’re all set.”
Wanting to cover my body, I leaned over and grabbed his shirt to shield his prying eyes that were staring at my breasts.
“Don’t cover up on my behalf.” He laughed, as I grabbed my phone from my purse and keyed up the voicemail. The missed call was a number I didn’t recognize, so I grew even more worried.
The voicemail started, and I listened carefully while sitting next to Henry on his bed.
“Hi Rosie, it’s Atticus. You know the guy you kicked in the crotch? Uh, I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to call you. I’ve been out of town and also trying to gain the courage to call you again. Even though things ended on a crushing note”—he chuckled—“I would still like to see you. I had a great time, minus foot to the crotch, so if you were thinking you might want to go out again, give me a call. Okay, see ya.”
I sat there, motionless as I listened to Atticus’s voice on my phone. He still wanted to go out with me? After I took out his family marbles? Atticus was probably the last person I expected to hear from.
Now I was confused. I looked over at Henry whose brow was wrinkled and was staring at his hands that rested on his lap.
“Umm, that was Atticus, you know, the guy I kicked.”
“Yeah, in the balls, right?”
“Yeah, he uh, wants to go out again.”
Silence filtered into the room. I was confused. I didn’t know what to do. Obviously if I had it my way, I’d be lying with Henry, relishing in the feel of his embrace, but right now, I wasn’t sure where he stood. From all his hints and the way he’d touched me, spoken to me, I figured he’d want to start a more serious relationship with me rather than just be friends. But by the way he was distancing himself from me now, maybe I was wrong.
Clapping his hands, Henry stood and turned his back to me.
“Sounds like you should call him back. I have to take a shower and then go out. I, uh, will see you around.”
Time stood still as I watched Henry gather his towels and shower caddy, as if he couldn’t wipe the scent of me off him quick enough.What just happened?
“Wh-what are you doing?” I stuttered.
“Taking a shower,” he repeated while facing me this time, his face completely expressionless, like what we just did hadn’t been a magical act of ungodly pleasure.
“You’re just going to leave?”
“Yeah, I mean, you have stuff to do,mento call back, things to write, now that you got what you wanted.” His tone was clipped, harsh.
“What are you talking about?” I asked, thrown off.
“Your virginity. It’s no longer a mystery. Go write about it.”
I stood and placed my hands on my hips, trying not to get worked up, but I didn’t like the way he was talking to me.
“Why are you being an ass? Are you trying to brush me off?”
“No, just moving on with life, that’s all.”
“Moving on?” Delaney’s words rang through my head. “Oh my God, Delaney was right. You are a cherry chaser.”
