Page 27 of The Pacifist
“As I said, it might be a generational thing. There’s a rising number of new members in my family’s sex club, but it’s all younger people.” Jonah had found some biscuits and celery sticks that he placed on a plate with the cheese.
“Ahh, you see! That has to be a result of the Northlands rubbing off on the Motherlands.”
Jonah gave me a speculative glance. “I can’t argue that. It’s interesting though, that something as unhygienic and old-fashioned as sex is coming back into fashion.”
“Why wouldn’t it? It’s how people procreate.”
“No, Mila. It’s how people in the Northlands procreate, but here we have the fertility clinics and it works great.”
I followed him to the small couch. “But don’t you ever wonder if you’re missing out on something?”
Tilting his head from side to side, Jonah looked like he was making a list of pros and cons in his head. “Sure, I mean, Cole enjoys it, but he did say that the satisfaction from the experience varies depending on what partner he’s with. Some of the women are inexperienced and tense up and it makes it less enjoyable for him.”
“Can’t he help them relax?”
“Not always, I think.”
I pulled my legs up under me and got comfortable on the couch. “Did you ever consider going to the club yourself? I’ll bet you could get any woman there you want.”
“Probably. But I can’t go.” Jonah placed some cheese between two crackers and stuffed them inside his mouth.
“Because of you being a Council member?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Then do it with someone you trust that wouldn’t tell anyone.” I felt my cheeks heat up. “I mean if you were curious and wanted to try and have sex.”
Jonah gave a low chuckle. “Are you volunteering?”
I had a celery stick in my hand and threw it at him in a playful way. “Don’t joke about it.”
“Why not? It’s funny. I mean the idea of you and me having sex together.” Jonah snickered with amusement.
I laughed with him, hiding my disappointment that the idea was crazy to him when I’d dreamt about it often.
“Maybe I should talk to your brother and ask him my questions. That way I can see if Cole is really the sex expert people think he is.” Tapping my finger on my chin, I joked. “I wonder if he’s a better kisser than you.”
Jonah didn’t seem to appreciate my humor because his lips disappeared in a firm line. “Yes, I’m sure he can teach you much more than I can.”
Jonah and I had never been in a fight, but I sensed how tense he’d become and it made me insecure. “I once fell down from a roof and broke a bone.” It was an unrelated thought and my way of changing the subject.
Jonah’s eyebrows drew close together. “I’m sorry to hear that but what does that have to do with your curiosity about sex?”
Feeling on thin ice, I rambled on, “I’m not curious. Well, I was, but you showed me what kissing is like and now I have my answer. Or I mean, maybe not entirely, but it’s good enough, I guess.”
Jonah reached for another cracker, but changed his mind and slumped back in the couch. “You should ask me.”
“Ask you what?”
“The thing you’re dying to ask me.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Jonah sighed. “Okay, but when you’re ready for the answer, I’m happy to tell you.”
“What answer?”
“You were worried that you weren’t any good at kissing…”
