Page 49 of Seven Summer Weekends

“Fifteen! Were you a virgin?”

“Is that the personal question?”

“Well, fifteen?”

“Yes, we both were. That was his excuse for cheating—the first time at least. When we were getting back together, my shrink asked if I would feel better getting even—you know, having an affair of my own.”

“Did you?” He smiled like a teenager, in contrast to the speckling of gray hair sprouting from his temples.

“I didn’t.” At least that’s what she tried to say—the words got caught in her throat and came out garbled. Terrence noticed.

“So, if I were to kiss you, I would be the first person other than your bad Rome-ance,” he joked, adding, “Since you were fifteen?”

Kizzy laughed. She loved a good Rome pun, but had never heard that one before. Terrence laughed too.

“Yes, and before that, I only kissed Charlie Schwartz and Bobby Sweeney. And Charlie wore a retainer.”

“He didn’t take it out?”

“I guess he didn’t know.”

“Poor guy.”

They were still standing a few inches apart, but now the space felt electrified. Kizzy tried to control herself from rocking forward—she was drawn to him. She silently willed him to kiss her, but after what seemed like an eternity, she couldn’t wait any longer. She leaned in and gently brushed her lips against his. That was all he needed. He kissed her back, at first gently and then passionately.

The toaster oven dinged.

“Are you still hungry?” Kizzy asks.

“I am,” he said, turning off the oven and leading her by the hand out the back door to the guesthouse. He shut the door behind them and whispered in her ear, “Areyoustill hungry?”

“Ravenous,” she answered, wondering who this willing seductress was.

Terrence took off his shirt, and Kizzy ran her fingers over his abs. He smiled at her and took her face in his hands, kissing her softly on the lips before running his fingers down her torso and lifting her tank top over her head. He wrapped his hands beneath her bottom, scooped her up, and lifted her with ease onto the bed. Starting with her ear, he kissed and nibbled, sending along-forgotten yearning down her body. She was happy she had vaped a little. She wasn’t feeling stoned really, more so just relaxed. If it weren’t for the pot, she would probably tense up her whole body.

Ever since Rome’s affair, Kizzy couldn’t help but question herself in the bedroom. If it was taking a long time, she would be completely insecure, wondering if it was the same with the other woman. If Rome didn’t seem interested, she would wonder if there was someone else again. If his eyes were closed, she imagined him imagining the other woman instead of her. Her mind was always running in bad directions. It wasn’t conducive to having an orgasm, that was for sure.

Somehow, this stranger who was feasting on her skin one quivering inch at a time had her feeling things she hadn’t in years—both desirous and desired. She held her breath, anticipating where his mouth would go next. You would think she would feel more self-conscious with a stranger, but she didn’t—she felt hot. And that felt good. She broke away for a second, not one to wham bam thank you, ma’am, even with all of this talk about one-night stands.

“You know I have to leave first thing tomorrow morning, right?” she mentioned breathlessly.

“It’s all good.” He placed his finger on her lips. “Don’t think of anything else but how your body feels right now.”

He pulled her forward so that her legs dangled off the front of the bed, and slid down to the floor between them.

Just relax, Kizzy, she coaxed herself, focusing her eyes on a cloud-shaped water spot on the ceiling like she did when trying to balance at yoga. She should tell Addison about that, she thought, gazing at the spot intently until Terrence buried his face betweenher legs, his tongue circling and darting and teasing until a wave of ecstasy rolled over her so intensely that she couldn’t take it anymore. She grabbed his head in her hands and directed him to climb back onto the bed and inside of her.

They lay on top of the covers afterward, sweaty and satisfied. Kizzy fell asleep contemplating whether she should stay in his bed or go back inside. As she dozed off, she heard Terrence whisper in her ear, “That man of yours is a fool.”

Chapter Twenty-four

Kizzy awoke the next morning feeling great. She felt strong. New. Ready. She slipped out quietly and walked, naked, to the outdoor shower.

Addison saw her through the kitchen window, knocked on it, and smiled. Kizzy turned around and mooned her before happily skipping into the shower. Ben walked in as Addison spun back around, a ridiculous blushing smile on her face.

“What?” Ben said.

“Nothing…I’m just…happy, I guess. That Terrence is really something else.”

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