Page 65 of Finding Carly
“You need to change that up,” Kenna told her. “Maybe invite him to come to bed at the same time you do. Yeah, the bathroom thing can be awkward…you know, peeing, brushing your teeth, changing. But maybe seeing you take off your clothes and putting on the T-shirt you stole from him to sleep in will give him a nudge in the right direction.”
“Or you could go down on him when he gets in bed,” Lexie suggested. “Guys love that.”
“I’ve never…I’m not sure I want to do that our first time,” Carly said awkwardly.
“What if you straddled him?” Kenna asked. “You said he pulls you close when he gets into bed, so why not just keep going, throw a leg over him? When you’re on top, look him in the eye and tell him you’re ready. That you want him.”
Carly blushed just thinking about doing that, but the more she considered it, the more she liked the idea. Jag had always been very careful not to push her too hard, but maybe if she made the first move, he’d feel more comfortable. He’d finally understand she truly was ready to make love with him.
“You guys are really good together,” Ashlyn said. “Anyone can see that you’re crazy about each other. Sometimes it’s just a matter of going after what you want.”
Carly nodded.
“So when areyougoing to go after what you want?” Lexie asked the other woman.
Ashlyn looked surprised. “Me?”
“Yeah, you,” Lexie said. “You said it was obvious that Carly and Jag are crazy about each other, and the same goes for you and Slate.”
Ashlyn blew out a long breath, shaking her head. “We can’t stand to be around each other most of the time,” she protested.
“Which usually just means you’re denying the obvious,” Elodie said.
“Don’t go thinking me and Slate are gonna end up married or anything,” Ashlyn said.
“Who said anything about getting married?” Kenna asked. “There’s nothing wrong with good ol’ fashioned fucking.”
Everyone burst out laughing again. Leave it to Kenna to be blunt.
“I’m serious,” she said, when everyone had themselves under control. “Women have casual relationships all the time. There’s nothing wrong with having sex with someone you have chemistry with. And, Ash, you and Slate have a shitload of chemistry,” Kenna said.
Carly nodded along with the other women.
“I’m pretty sure I annoy the hell out of him,” Ashlyn said with a shrug. “And the feeling’s mutual. He’s too bossy. Too protective. I’d never be able to deal with a boyfriend like that.”
“What about a lover?” Kenna pressed.
Ashlyn wrinkled her nose. “I’m not sure that would be any better.”
“But think about all that testosterone in bed with you,” Elodie said softly. “I can tell you with confidence…it’s a hell of an experience.”
Lexie, Kenna, and Monica all nodded in agreement.
Carly felt a pang of jealousy shoot through her—followed by determination. She wanted what her friends had. She had little doubt Jag would be amazing in bed. He claimed he didn’t have a lot of experience, but she didn’t know if he was just trying to make her feel better or if he was actually serious.
“I’m not going to hook up with Slate,” Ashlyn continued. “You guys just need to deal with that.”
“So if he met someone else, you wouldn’t be upset?” Monica asked. “If that woman started hanging out with us, talking about how good her man is in bed, like we do now, it wouldn’t piss you off?”
“No,” Ashlyn said firmly.
Carly might’ve believed her if she hadn’t followed that statement with a gulp of her drink, nearly draining the glass. The thought of Slate with someone else clearly bothered her, but she wasn’t at a place where she could admit it.
“Think about it,” Lexie said gently. “Slate’s awesome. But he’s impatient as hell, everyone knows that. There might come a time when he decides he should move on.”
Everyone was quiet for a moment, before Monica broke the silence by saying, “I have to pee again.”
Carly studied Ashlyn as everyone laughed. The other woman looked almost stricken, but as quickly as the expression formed on her face, it was gone.
