Page 26 of Broken Heat
“I saw those. But I mean the full-on kit, the real deal.” My voice shook a little. “I always do it. Always did, I mean. He—he asked for that. He wanted that.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
Mykel did nothing but blink once for a few seconds. I thought maybe he hadn’t heard me.
“Was it—was it a ritual between you two?”
“Oh no. He’d never touch me like that. No.” I shifted my weight from one foot to the other.
“Elon, do you feel you need it?”
“Uh, no, not need. But it’s necessary.” I frowned. “Isn’t it?”
“The anal canal and birth canal branch off from each other. Sexual arousal and contact seals the first.”
My face must have become bright red, it was so hot. “I didn’t know that.”
Mykel stepped forward. “But I can acquire one if you wish. If that is your routine and your comfort. Also, some find pleasure in it. Or a caretaking aspect.”
“I didn’t mean it for that at all.” I stared at the floor by Mykel’s feet. “I wanted to be clean. Perfect.”
Mykel smiled. “I can get it for you, but you should know you don’t need it on my account. Do you understand?”
I could only nod.
Mykel took out his phone and began to tap the screen.
“No.” I held up my hand. “I—I think the douche will be fine.”
Mykel dropped his hand.
Before he could say another word or look at me in any way I would probably misinterpret, I hurried past him into the bathroom and shut the door.
Under the sink I found several packages of douches. Winterberry Mist. White Honeythorne. Flower Moon.
I tore the Winterberry one out of the pack and cleaned myself thoroughly. My hands trembled when I was done.
I could tell by Mykel’s response to me that he was concerned for me. I hadn’t meant to take so long getting ready. He probably thought I was procrastinating or had changed my mind. None of that was the case. I simply wanted to be perfect. That was how Coah taught me.
The robe brushed over my polished skin like air, gliding over my shoulders, hips and thighs. The bathroom was filled with bright scents. I felt ready, but would Mykel agree?
I put my hand on the doorknob and opened it.
Mykel had turned on a low lamp by the bed. At the bedside table he had placed bottled water and a plate of various snack foods: cheese, salami, crackers, grapes, apple slices. Something in my chest twisted. That he had thought of all that. As if he really cared.
He glanced up at me. “I’ll shower, too. I’ll be quick.”
I could only nod as he moved past me. I noted he did not close the door all the way but left it ajar.
I walked closer to the snack plate, staring at it. I wasn’t hungry, but I remembered how after sex I was always famished but Coah liked to go to sleep right away. I always craved pizza and would lie awake dreaming of melted cheese.
I wasn’t sure what to do with myself. What would Mykel expect?
I kept having the same thought: It would be interesting to have sex with someone I barely knew. Weird, but also a challenge. A fun challenge.
As I heard the door open, I turned. Mykel stood gazing at me, pale hair slicked back, wearing a robe like mine. Through the thin material that hugged every curve of muscle from shoulders to thighs I saw his skin, still damp, tanned and firm. The robe hugged his thighs and showed off a prominent bulge between them.
“That was fast.” I couldn’t think of anything else to say.
He came into the room, the robe stretching and parting in intriguing ways. “Do you need anything? Something else to drink? Or eat?”
