Page 32 of Ravaged By Lust

CHLOE

“So, tell me about you,” Gary says from the opposite side of the booth. He leans forward and rests his head on his hands, placing all his focus on me. “I gotta make sure I don’t have some lunatic staying with me who might murder me in my sleep.”

I shift nervously in my seat. “What do you want to know?”

Gary’s eyes sparkle. “Everything, Chloe. Everything.”

I let out an anxious giggle. “There’s not much to know, really.”

Gary raises his eyebrows like he doesn’t believe me. “Well, you’re clearly super talented and incredibly beautiful. I’m sure there’s more to you than meets the eye. I am sure you have some stories under there.”

I blush. Gary is definitely a hell of a lot of fun already, and I’ve only known him for an hour.

He’s taken me to a bar just a block away from his apartment. He told me, on the way, that it’s a place he takes dates to, but that I shouldn’t be worried. I’m not his type. Mainly because I don’t have a dick.

His words, not mine.

“There might be some stories,” I reply conspiratorially.

Gary smiles at that. He calls a server over and flirts outrageously with her before ordering our first drinks.

“We need two very strong Sex on the Beaches, please. More alcohol than juice if you know what I mean. I want to get my friend here to loosen up and talk about her illustrious life, so we need those drinks to be as strong as they can be.”

He winks at the server.

“Oh no, Gary.”

“Oh yes, Chloe.”

“Well, I can pay for these if we’re going to drown them,” I say, already pulling out my empty card.

“Oh, no. This is going to be all me,” Gary replies with a dismissive wave. “I’m taking you out for a good night, Chloe, so it’s my shout, plus it’s my town and I’ve got to show you the good side of it.”

“If you insist.”

“Oh, I very much insist.”

When the cocktails arrive at our table, we clink glasses and immediately Gary is back on the interrogation.

“Talking about sex on the beach, tell me about your love life, Chloe.”

I nearly spurt out my drink.

“You can’t ask a lady a question like that, Gary,” I say in mock disbelief.

“I’m the one buying drinks, remember? You owe me some juicy details, at the very least.”

I shrug. “You’ve got me there.”

Gary leans back in close. “Is there a man in the picture? Please tell me he’s tall, dark, and handsome…”

“There’s been some guys.”

“You’re going to have to do better than that, Chloe. Don’t tell me I have to buy you another drink to wring it out of you.”

I take a long sip of the cocktail. For Dutch courage.

“There is – was – a boy,” I start.