Page 64 of One Time Only (One Time Only 1)
“Does it bother you? That I’m bi?”
I snort-laugh. “No. Why would it?”
“Some women don’t like it because they think it means I’m not that into women. Some guys don’t like it because they think I’m not committed to being gay. And some guys get jealous. You know, because they don’t have pussies.”
I blink. “Wow. No. None of those are an issue, especially the first, for obvious reasons. And the second is not a thing, because I don’t need a commitment to being gay. That’s not the commitment that matters to me. And I am definitely not jealous whatsoever about not having a vagina. I’m pretty happy with the equipment God gave me and what I can do with it,” I say, and Stone mouths, Me too. “But to answer your question, if I had an issue with your orientation, I wouldn’t have done anything with you in the first place.”
His brow creases. “You weren’t asking because you’re jealous I might be attracted to a woman? Like Becca?”
“No. I’m not jealous over women versus men. I’m jealous by nature. The gender doesn’t factor into it.”
His lips curve into a naughty grin. “You’re possessive.”
“Yes,” I say, completely serious.
“Do you feel possessive of me?”
I set my fork down, giving him a stare. “Is that a real question?”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“Is it?” There’s a thoroughly Stone-esque delight in his voice. This guy loves compliments, but he deserves them too.
“Yes. I feel possessive of you. Yes, I feel jealous when I think you might be attracted to someone else. But whether the attraction is for a man or woman doesn’t matter. Is that clear?”
“Crystal.” Stone slices the papaya and pops it into his mouth, grinning.
I take another bite of eggs, savoring the taste. “So, type. Got one?”
He shakes his head. “I don’t have a type when it comes to men. Or women. I’m attracted to different people. Black, white, Asian, Latino or Latina. Sometimes I like curves on a woman, sometimes toned arms. Sometimes long legs. On a guy, sometimes I like them bigger than me, sometimes leaner.” He draws a deep breath, studying my face with a newfound intensity. “But I suppose if I have a thing, it’s for eyes.”
“You’re attracted to eyes?”
“Yeah. Eyes just do me in,” he says, his tone swoony. “That’s my thing. Great eyes. Soulful eyes. Eyes you want to get to know. Eyes that have seen things. Eyes that know things.” His hook into mine, and my stupid heart pounds so loud I bet he can hear it. “Like yours.”
Backflips, cartwheels, triple jumps—you name it. It’s happening inside me.
Settle down, heart. Settle the hell down.
Stone picks up his cup and takes a swallow of tea. “What about you? Got a type?”
“Definitely,” I admit, grateful to return to the broader topic.
He wiggles his fingers. “Give me the deets.”
I make a circling gesture with my finger, pointing at him. “Men who look . . . manly.”
“You don’t like feminine men?”
“I don’t. I like the masculine form. Strong legs, muscles, some chest hair and roughness and . . .” I sigh contentedly because this next one is my Achilles’ heel. “Stubble.” I hum low in my throat, getting lost in my happy place. “Love stubble. That is my favorite thing. I love what you have going on here,” I say, gesturing to his jaw, stretching my hand across the table to stroke his face.
He murmurs as I touch him. “I like that too. But I also find women beautiful. Just intrinsically. The female form.” He arches a questioning brow as I let go of him. “You really don’t care? You sure?”
“Others have cared? That’s why you’re asking?”
“Yes. Others have.” His eyes are etched with vulnerability, with a worry that his orientation could be an issue for me.
I take another bite of my food, then set the fork down. I level with him. “I like you just the way you are, Stone,” I say, and the man’s grin lights up the city.
It could power the entire Strip.
Maybe the whole damn state.
“You do?”
“I do.” I mean it, and I want him to know how deeply. I don’t want to change him. The man is who he is. “If we were a thing, I wouldn’t have an issue with your identity. What difference does it make if you’re gay and only attracted to men? What difference does it make if you’re bi and attracted to men and women? There’s zero difference. I’m not going to be more jealous because you might be attracted to one hundred percent of people versus fifty percent of people. It’s my job to satisfy you in and out of the bedroom, and it’s your job to be faithful.”
He sits up straight. “I would. That’s not an issue.”
I reach for his hand, reassuring him. “I know. I wasn’t saying it is. I’m simply saying that’s all that matters. I wouldn’t worry about the fact that part of your identity is being attracted to women as well as men. That doesn’t bother me. I mean, I’m not into women. I’m not going to have a threesome with you. I’m not going to share you with anyone—man or woman. But that’s me. That’s how I’m wired. I don’t share. But, if you were mine, I’d damn well make it my job and my pleasure to make sure you were happy with me and me alone.”
