Page 23 of Kian

He thrust deeper and harder with each passing moment, drawing out their shared pleasure until they both reached their breaking point. They came together in an explosion of ecstasy, their bodies shaking as they rode out their orgasms together.

Kian rolled onto his back beside her and pulled her close to him. He kissed her forehead.

“You want to tell me why you have a box of condoms?” He chuckled when she laughed.

“A friend of mine gave them to me. We have lunch together once a month. She was talking about her husband and how great their sex was. I told her I hadn’t had sex in so long that I didn’t remember how to do it—”

“Yes, you do,” he said, making her laugh.

“Anyway, I told her I didn’t need to hear about how good her sex life was. The next time we met for lunch, she handed me a bag with the condoms in it and told me to get laid because I was getting cranky.”

Kian laughed. “I think I like your friend.”

“I’ll be right back,” she said as she got up from the bed and entered the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

Kian swore as the pain intensified in his shoulder, but couldn’t help but grin, thinking it was worth it.

****

As Gretchen stared at her reflection in the mirror, she regretted her decision to have sex with him. She couldn’t shakethe feeling that he had a significant other waiting for him at home, wondering where he was and if he was even alive.

“You idiot,” she whispered to herself. After finishing up in the bathroom, she found Kian gone from the bedroom. He probably used the other bathroom.

Pulling on her robe, she walked into the kitchen and saw him getting a bottle of water from the fridge. “Kian...”

He turned to face her, and she watched him sigh. “You’re regretting it, aren’t you?”

“We shouldn’t have done that. We don’t know if you’re married, engaged, or involved with someone. I don’t condone cheating and yet, I might have just had sex with a cheater.”

“Gretchen, I am not married or engaged—”

“How do you know that?”

“Because when we were about to have sex, I instinctively reached for my wallet to get a condom. If I was married or even engaged, I wouldn’t have a condom in my wallet or even think about using one. Most committed couples don’t use them.” He gently touched her cheek. “Did your husband keep one in his wallet?”

“No.”

“And he shouldn’t have because he was married. What about when you were engaged?”

“No. I got on birth control, so he didn’t have to worry about using one.”

“Exactly. So why would I reach for one?”

“Because you don’t remember anything.”

“I don’t believe that’s why. I somehow knew I would have one in my wallet, even though I forgot I didn’t have my wallet. Most single men who practice safe sex carry one with them. I reached for it out of habit. I don’t think I would have done that if I was married or engaged. In fact, I think something would have made me stop if I was. As for being involved with someone, I can’thonestly say, but I do know that I have never felt this way about anyone. Ever.That, I do know.”

“You expect me to believe that? You reached for it out of habit? That is such shit bullshit, Kian—”

“Shit bullshit? Is that some new kind of bullshit?” he asked.

“Don’t try to be funny! Do you honestly believe what you said is true? It could be habit because youareinvolved with someone. You might not be married or engaged, but something, orsomeone, made you reach for your wallet.” She shook her head. “I can’t go by what you…think. Your logic is way out there.”

Kian sighed. “I thought it made perfect sense, but I understand your concerns. I won’t touch you again.”

Gretchen swallowed hard and nodded. “I think that’s best.”

“Alright. I’m going to take a walk. Maybe something will jog my memory. If I can find where it happened, maybe I’d remember exactly what happened.”

---