Page 70 of Lessons in Love
We part and she takes a blanket and wraps it around her. Sitting on the couch, I lift my arm. She curls into my side, and continues, “Katie O’Dowd told me you were a lost cause, that many had tried to hook, line, and sinker you, but you were going to remain a forever bachelor. You were so determined to stickto the lesson plan that I thought if I told you I was falling for you that you’d end the lessons and wouldn’t want to see me anymore.”
“I was only doing those damn lessons to spend more time with you.” She sighs, and I sigh with her. “We’re quite a pair.” I rub her arm, and ask, “Would you have gone through with the plan on New Year’s if we hadn’t had that fight?”
“I felt some pressure like I’d let you down if I didn’t, but I wouldn’t have. Until Isabella told me I had interrupted your time with her. Then I was determined to get rid of my virginity come hell or high water with Lowry.”
“I’m sorry about Isabella, that she said those things to you. It’s not true. I had comforted her because she’s going through a divorce. I should have known better.”
Angling up to face me, she smiles. “I know someone we can set her up with.”
“A match made in asshole hell?”
“Something like that.” Her hand snakes over my abs and starts going lower. “By the way, did you say yes or no to New Year’s Eve?”
Covering her hand, the pressure feels too good. My breath comes harsher through my nose, and I say, “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“So can we say I love you anytime we want now that it’s out there in the universe?”
“I’m counting on it.” Lifting her up and onto my lap, I kiss her. When she opens her eyes, I say, “I love you.”
“I love you, too, but I have another question.”
“Ask away.”
“Do I still get lesson four, the final lesson?”
Flipping her down on the couch beneath me, I say, “I’ll be giving you the final lesson all right and then I’m going to test you over and over and over again.” My hips move between her legs.
Her giggles, punctuating the point I’m trying to make, and by point I mean we grind together until giggles turn to moans and I’ve given her the second gift of the night.What can I say?I tried to be humble but I’m an arrogant bastard, the king of orgasms, and as of tonight, Virginia Ryan’s boyfriend—my most distinguished title to date.
Chapter Twenty-Three
It is official.
Weare official.
Despite a blizzard of epic portions, a girl too stubborn to see what was right in front of her, and a very handsome, some might even call him debonair, man who foolishly believed he had a say when it comes to matters of the heart, we did it.Not that.Unfortunately, we haven’t had sex yet. All for good reasons, but I’ll come back to that. I happily traded in my bachelor card for one lovely Ms. Virginia Ryan.
Seven days ago, we made an agreement to put this lesson plan and asshole business behind us. It’s worked out well for me. The weather is my friend, a supporter of love, and what I might have cursed that night, is now my ally. Since the storm grounded all flights, Virginia was stuck with me on Christmas.Game point to Richard.Her family was disappointed they didn’t get to see her, but they were thrilled to meet me on their video call. They had no choice. We were trapped in her apartment for two days.Match goes to Richard.Our Christmas gift to each other was easy—Hallmark movies,her choice. In bed,my choice. Naked.Both of our choices.
How we didn’t seal the deal is beyond my comprehension.Game point to Ryan.I’ve never had to wait to be with a woman. I’ve always dated women who were more than happy to lead the charge right into bed. What I’ve discovered is that I don’t need someone to lead the charge or to make it easy. I need Virginia.Match goes to Ryan. I need something that was real, something that I want for more than a few hours of fun. I want love. Not for just a few days, and when I look over at her sleeping soundly next to me, years comes to mind.Ladies and gentleman, Ryan and Richard have met their match—Winners all around.
Not to sound too sentimental, but she makes me want to break out in song and dance on the regular, and you’ve heard my theory on singing. Well, my dancing is okay. I know you thought I’d say something charmingly self-deprecating, but I have a few moves that might make Channing Tatum jealous. That’s a lesson for another day.
Love.
It’s all that matters. It controls almost all my thoughts and I look at life differently. It’s all consuming, heart filling, blood rushing. It’s magic for the soul, and we’ve got it in spades.
So when it comes to V’s V-card, she’s pounced me more times than I can count. It’s like that thing is burning a hole in her pocket she’s so anxious to spend it. It’s been a real damn feat keeping her off my junk. Big Richard has seen so much hand action that I needed lotion for the chaffing. On the bright side, cuz yeah, me getting off can’t really be on the dark side, it’s not me doing the work anymore. She’s become a sexual goodwill ambassador and my dick is the beneficiary. A sexual animal feeding for the first time with me as her prey.
Just last night I showed up at her place and within minutes, I was handed a beer “to sit back and relax,” then she proceeded to pin me to the window, the little minx, while she rubbed on the outside of my jeans. I drank that beer because it was damnrefreshing, so was my view of the woman in front of me. Eye to eye with Big Richard, she looked up at me, and said, “Take your pants off. This job isn’t going to blow itself.”
I’m not gonna lie, beer spewed everywhere. But the shower we took more than made up for the fact that I was now dating myself in female form. Hot in some ways, mouthy and a lot cocky in others. But I digress . . .
When it comes to lesson four, it isn’t about the sex anymore. I’m a sappy sucker for love now. I even wrote Hardy hearts Virginia in the fogged up glass at the coffee shop two days ago. Luisa treated me to coffee, recognizing the old Hardy Richard is a thing of the past, and this new lovesick version is here to stay.
So when she finally does get that V-card stamped and turns it over to the sex commission, it has to be special. It has to be worth waiting all these years for. Fortunately, I’m the man with a plan. The man for her job. I’m on it, and plan to be in it, kissing it . . . you get the drift. After all, we’re #MFEO.
***
