Free Private Message by Danielle Torella Page A

am not in the mood for competition with a straight guy friend who secretly has feelings for you, or whatever little teen drama show you have set up." OK, now I'm rambling, she's rubbing off on me. hmm…that's sounds good right about now…
    "That was my brother James," she says.
    Thank fucking God! I still have a chance with this girl. "Ah, that's good to know. I am surprised he didn't punch me for making out with his sister in front of a few hundred people."
    "Nah, James is cool. He knows that if I need him to rectify a situation I'll let him know." She sounds like they're a Mafia family or something.
    "Good, he should want to protect his amazing sister."
    "Pfft" is all she lets out.
    "When can I see you, Tess?" I'm in a hurry, but what can I say? I get excited around her.
    I hear a wine bottle open when she replies, "Your call."
    That's all it takes and I am on my way.

 
    Frankly, I was hoping he'd call and want to come over. I want to get some answers about his so-called reputation. I know it's a little late, but I am wide awake, knowing he's on his way over here. SHIT! I better change. I don't want to be wearing my tiny shorts when he gets here! I run to my dresser and pull out a pair of black yoga pants and leave on my black T.
    He must not live too far from me, because about ten minutes after we hung up, he's knocking at my door. I set down a half-drunk glass of wine that I had already poured to steady my nerves. Instead it's only making me horny, and knowing I am about to have Ben and his sweet ass and sexy accent filling my tiny apartment is not helping any. I open the door to see him holding a bouquet of flowers. Where on earth did he find a place open at this hour? And they are my favorite: peonies.
    "Hi," I say when I meet his warm eyes.
    "Hi," he replies. Scanning my body, he says, "Nice shirt."
    He comes into the main room, takes off his black leather jacket, and lays it on the back of a chair.
    "Have a seat. I'll pour you a glass."
    He walks over to me instead. "Sounds great." He takes the bottle and pours his own glass and tops mine off. Taking my hand, he leads me to the sofa.
    We talk about the wine, and I want to know what my favorite wine tastes like on his lips. But if I kiss him right now, I'll never get the answers I am looking for, but instead wake up in the morning no longer a virgin. I can't say no to this man. That excites me and terrifies me to my core.
    I jump up and put my lovely pink plush peonies in a vase. From the kitchen, I speak.
    "So, I hear you have quite the reputation with the ladies." I try to sound nonchalant.
    He twists to look at me. "Now, who told you that?"
    "My big brother says he's heard a thing or two." God, I hope he's not offended.
    I walk back over and sit next to him on the couch. It feels impossible to keep a distance when we are in the same room together.
    He takes my hand. "Look, I know your friend—what's her name, Erin?—has told you about the women I leave with at Chatz, but I can honestly say that since Friday night when I saw you there, I haven't been with a woman since."
    I don't know if that makes me feel good or not. The fact that he has been with a lot of women worries me.
    "How many women have you been with?" I take a large sip of my wine. Maybe that way when he tells me, I eventually forget by morning.
    This time he shifts so his whole body is facing mine. "Does it really matter?" He asks me. I try to really think about that. I mean, it's in the past, right? You can't change how many people you sleep with.
    "I guess not." I admit. I finish off my glass of wine. I stand to get another glass. "Refill?" I reach for his glass.
    "Please." His smile is warm as he hands me his empty glass.
    I stalk back into the kitchen, noticing that my legs are a little weak from the wine already. Damn, I hate being such a lightweight . As I fill our glasses I hear music coming from my stereo in the main room. I stop and see him setting his phone down next to my player with the