Page 87 of Zimyra

“I don’t know why you’re pursuing me when you have no desire to be withonewoman.”

“Says who?”

“Says me. I can pick up on these things.”

I sit down while he unzips his bag and hands me a bottle of water.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

He joins me and after he drinks water, he asks, “What makes you think I don’t want a relationship?”

“You mean besides the fact that you told me out of your own mouth? I think I’ll take your word for it. Plus, I have very strict standards—ones I know a man like you won’t abide by.”

“Like what?”

“Like, I will never give my body to a man who won’t commit to me. It’s hard enough to keep one when you’re committed. Think about how difficult it is to hold on to one who will gladly sleep with you, and run to the next woman’s bed. That’s not what I’m looking for.”

“From what you’ve told me, you’ve never been in a committed relationship.”

“No, I haven’t.”

“Does this mean what I think it means?”

“What do you think it means, Axel?”

He sips water, then looks at me and says, “That you’ve never been intimate with anyone?”

“That’s correct.”

“You can’t be serious?”

“I am,” I tell him.

“I don’t believe that,” he says.

“Believe it. I have no reason to lie about it.”

He shakes his head and says, “You certainly don’t kiss like a virgin…had me ready to take you into that clubhouse and lay you across that table.”

“Shut up,” I say, unable to hide my amusement.

“But this is interesting. I have so many questions.”

“You and these questions…you’re really a lawyer, aren’t you?”

“Don’t try to change the subject. How is it possible that you’re a virgin? You don’t have desires?”

“Of course I do, but unlike men, women can control theirs.”

“That’s not true.”

“For the most part, it is.”

He frowns. He looks conflicted, yet intrigued. He asks, “What are you afraid of? There has to be a reason you’re not telling me. I get the commitment part, but a man like me can have you eating your words when it comes to that.”

“No, you can’t.”

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