Page 43 of Sex Positive

Something alive and electric crackles in the silence.

When he speaks, his voice is low and sultry.

“Tell me more about these sex toys, Victoria.”

Clear blue skies stretch above Charlie, the mid-afternoon sun hidden behind the tall New York City buildings. The moment she steps out onto the sidewalk, she’s hit with the sounds of the city, but she hardly hears them over her excitement coursing through her veins.

“Oh my god, that was exhilarating.” Victoria presses a palm to her forehead. “I can’t believe I did that. That was…” She stares at Charlie, a wide grin splitting her face. “I’ve never felt so alive. I just— I wasn’t even planning on mentioning the whole vibrator thing, but the moment I walked into that studio, I got soangryabout the ignorance of men. Not just him, but everyone who thinks they know better than women. I mean, the arrogance of some people thinking they know best about someone else’s body!”

For the remainder of the episode, Victoria and Theo had the most fascinating discussion about the female orgasm and sexual dysfunction that Charlie had ever heard. Their banter was quick and endless, and there was a palpable chemistry and friction between them that felt almost too intimate to witness.

After closing out the show, Theo didn’t linger, murmuring a hasty goodbye to all three of them and excusing himself to his office, a sign Charlie didn’t know how to interpret.

Victoria couldn’t stop beaming, however, and Bianca gushed about how dynamic and rousing the episode had been.

“I’m serious, guys,” she said, showing them to the bank of elevators that would bring them to street level. “I’ve been producingMale Perspectivefor more than two years now, and we’veneverhad a recording session like that.” She touched Victoria’s shoulder. “You might have something special here.”

Victoria brushed her off. “It’s just one episode. I did it to help my clinic.”

On the sidewalk, Victoria freezes, her eyes widening. “I wasn’t too harsh, was I?” She looks at Wes. “He won’t cut that part out, will he?”

Charlie also looks at Wes, but he simply smiles.

“I doubt it. I’m not a podcast expert, but I agree with Bianca. There was something different about this episode. Besides,” he adds with a sly smile, “Theo needs his ego checked every once in a while, and you did a number on him in a good way.”

Victoria beams at Charlie with unfiltered pride. “Thank you for suggesting this, Charlie.”

Charlie preens. “Don’t thank me yet. We’ll see what happens once it’s released.”

“We should celebrate.” Wes points down the street. “There’s a great tapas bar just around the corner.”

Victoria checks her phone and shakes her head. “Sorry, I’m meeting a friend from med school before we catch our train. But thank you, Wesley, for being an excellent navigator today.”

“It’s Wes,” he says. “And no problem. Anything for Charlie.”

Charlie’s heart stalls. She peers up at him, but he doesn’t look at her.

He’s just being polite, she tells herself, examining the chipping paint on the crown molding above the entrance to the building they just vacated.

With a final enthusiastic wave, Victoria strides down the sidewalk, a noticeable skip in her step. When Charlie turns back to Wes, he’s already watching her, a small smile on his lips. The excitement from moments earlier fades, replaced by uncertainty.

“Quinn,” she begins, “about Nash—”

“No.” He holds up a hand. “Don’t say anything. I’m the one who stormed off like a child.” Blowing out a breath, he runs a hand through his hair. “I need to apologize.”

Her gaze snags on his long fingers tugging on the blond strands.

Grimacing, he rubs the back of his neck before sliding his hands into his coat pockets. “I wasn’t angry with you. I was angry with myself for reverting back to petty insecurities I thought I’d moved past.”

“Quinn, it’s okay—”

“It’s not.” When he peers down at her, her pulse races from the intensity in his eyes. “It’s not okay. You didn’t do anything wrong. I was angry, and when it comes to Nash Hudson, I forget I’m not the same person I was in high school and react childishly.”

She searches his gaze for a moment before she nods. “Thank you for saying that.” She bites her lip, shivering in the brisk breeze. “And I’m sorry for lying to Nash about sleeping with you.”

He studies her closely. “Why did you?”

Her heart stutters. She forces herself not to look away.