Page 51 of Wicked

“I need my virginity removed!”

What the actual hell?

For the last two days, I’ve done all I can to not shove her against a wall, to command her to pull her panties off and spread herself wide for me. I’ve worked hard, and I’m not about to lose it now. I cannot afford to get distracted, either. For the castle or for my fashion empire.

I go to command her to get off the property, but as I step up to her, I see her nervous eyes.

There is also a tear, but she wipes it away fast with the back of her hand. She really meant it. The poor girl meant it.

Sure, there was last night, but this…

“No way,” I growl, low and angrily. I shake my head and start to mutter, “And you should do it with someone you’re in love with or at least a guy your own age, Raven. I would ruin you.”

Raven shakes her head, and she steps closer as I pull on a fresh shirt. “You know there’s a high chance it’ll be awkward. And a higher chance I’ll hate it.”

“I don’t care. That’s how it goes.”

"I’ve had twelve Tinder dates in three months. All horrible!” she says, back in her more confident self. “Waiting to find love or waiting for the perfect guy will double the time to find someone. It could be years! I’ll be over twenty-five and no good to anyone!”

We stare each other out, and it’s not right. No darned way. “Please, Dante? As a friend?”

I adjust the stretched black T over my frame, and I cross my arms and look down at her. Her perfect blue eyes are pleading and big. They are also wet.

“Look, just start me off in the right direction, please!”

I growl like a cornered wolf, and I am anything but happy.

“If you don’t, I’ll be forced to go to a Tuscan bar in some town, or maybe a club in Rome. I’ll likely end up screwing some thug or just get it from some drunk. Maybe I’ll avoid vomit on my shoes, but I’ll hate every minute of it! It’ll be crude, awkward and rough.”

She is likely right, and the poor kid starts to cry.

“I’ve got nothing to lose,” she says, wiping snot from her face. “And it’s going to happen!”

I don’t know what to say, and I’ve slept with far too many women. Maybe fifty. Actually, it’s around a hundred.

The sweet kid deserves far better,anyone but me.

Stunned, I hand her my white towel. Raven wipes away her tears and then wipes her shiny nose. Astounded, I rub the back of my neck.

“Is it because there's something wrong with me, is that it?” she asks. “Is it because I’m awkward or ugly?”

She really means it. She really has no idea.

The curvy nerd has clearly had her head in books for years, and she is way off the mark. As I force myself to look away, I shake my head. “Don’t say that. You’re not ugly!”

As I walk away, Raven starts on me again.

“Maybe I’m just broken,” she pleads, now sobbing. I rub my temples, walk, and cuss. “Am I disgusting? Please, you’ve got to tell me, you owe me that fucking much!”

I stop, turn, and walk back, fast.

I stop a foot away, and enough is enough. “Listen to me! You’re pure and full of life. You’ll meet someone special one day. You’re actually a cool person, okay?”

As she starts crying, I stare at her, amazed and sickened. I really need to tell her, and I lift her chin gently. “Raven, listen to me.” Her wet eyes have trouble locking on mine and it’s hard to do. I feel like a brute, but it has to be done.

“Raven. I’m not good for you! I’ve… taken a lot of women. I also don’t make love! I don’t know how to. I don’t even have sex… I fuck.”

“Don’t… don’t you find me attractive?”

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