Page 29 of Sweeter Than Fiction

“No. But people inside black helicopters would show up and do it for me,” I joke.

I watch him grab two plates off the counter and take them to his coffee table. Knowing it’s spaghetti, and I’m extremely messy, I opt to sit on the floor to be closer to the plate.

As we dig in, I say, “Wow, this is really good.”

“Surprised?”

I let out a small giggle. “Kind of.”

“I like to cook. Most nights, I’m just too tired from work to bother.”

“Speaking of work, did you get everything handled the other night?”

“Yeah. I had to get a whole new security company in there, but I think we’re on the right path.”

“That’s good,” I say, not sure what else I could add on the subject.

“I’m sorry again for not reaching out. I was just spending a ton of time at the site.”

“Really, it’s fine. I figured that’s what it was. Although…”

“Although what?”

I already feel my face turning red. “Nothing. It’s stupid.”

“I doubt that it’s stupid. Come on, tell me.”

For a little courage, I take a hearty sip of wine. “I sort of wondered if you were secretly freaked out by my audiobook.”

He looks confused. “Why would that freak me out?”

“Uhm…I don’t know,” I answer honestly. “I just know that it may freak some guys out.”

He looks almost offended. “That’s the stupidest shit I’ve ever heard. It shouldn’t matter what you like to read…or listen to. Everybody has their own entertainment. Every man I know watches porn, myself included. So, I think me having a problem with your books would be a little hypocritical.”

“I guess you’re right. I just didn’t think anyone would actually hear what I was listening to.”

“Fair enough. I’d probably feel weird if someone went through examining the porn I was looking at.”

“I’m a little surprised that you sometimes take matters into your own hands,” I say.

“Why?”

“Because you’re so…” I try to think of the words. “You know, you go home with a lot of women.”

He laughs. “I guess so. But sometimes, you just need to get off without going through all the hassle.”

Don’t I know it? My vibrator gets quite the workout on a daily basis.

Not that I’m going to offer up that information.

“But I have to ask,” he begins. “The book you were listening to. Is that what you’re into?”

Immediately, my face begins to redden and warm again. “I like listening to a lot of things, but yeah, most have the same general idea.”

His blue eyes flick back to mine. “And what about in your real life?”

I work my bottom lip between my teeth. “Uh, I’m not exactly sure. I’ve never really been with someone long enough to find out what I really like.”

---