Free Choices of Fate (Fate Series) by S. Simone Chavous Page B

could feel that he was being evasive, but still trusted him despite that fact.  
    “Wow, so you must be very close.”
    Ethan clasped his hand in front of him and stared down at the table. “Actually, no, we do not speak often. In fact we had not spoken or seen each other in many years. I keep them updated on foundation business via email or through couriers that deliver documents and get signatures when necessary. It is very complicated. They have certain expectations of me that I have no desire to live up to, especially with regard to my romantic attachments, but I went to see my mother last night, after I left you.”  
    Alexa started to relax some, this wasn’t such a big deal. So he was concerned about his parents’ disapproval of her. She couldn’t quite place his accent. Maybe he was from a culture where parent’s weighed in heavily on their children’s romantic partners. It was old fashioned, but not unheard of.
    “So, how did that go?” She asked, feeling extremely anxious waiting for his response.
    “Far better than I had hoped.” He looked up into her eyes. “I think my mother has finally accepted that I want something different than what was planned for me, my father too. Now they seem to only desire my happiness and they were quite pleased when I told them about you. I cannot wait for you to meet them.” He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his beautiful eyes. “My sister may prove to be more difficult to convince. Her views are rather, traditional. She believes that one’s duty must come before all other things.”
    Alexa reached out for his hands again, feeling her heart pound and blood rush from the contact. Just being near him she was in a constant state of arousal. When they were actually touching, the rest of the world seemed to fall away.
    He looked up at her for a moment like he wanted to eat her alive, but quickly put himself in check and said, “There is more I must tell you.” He was determined get it all out in the open, to give her the freedom and knowledge to choose. The one thing he had fought so hard his entire life to gain for himself. He deliberately picked this mediocre restaurant that was never busy and selected a seat by the back exit so he could quickly diffuse the situation and get her out without drawing too much attention if she freaked out.  
    Alexa moved her hands back and placed them in her lap deciding that she should be honest with him as well, or at least as honest as she could be without sounding like she had completely lost her mind. The only other time she tried to tell someone about her telepathy she ended up in solitary confinement for two weeks.  
    “Ethan, wait. There is something I need to tell you first.” She swallowed hard, gathering her nerve. Just thinking about saying the words aloud sent blood flowing into her cheeks.
    Ethan looked at her curiously. Well this was a surprise. He was so wrapped up in his own secrets that he hadn’t considered she might have some of her own.  
    Then so quietly he may not have been able to hear if he were merely human, Alexa said, “I’ve never had a boyfriend or anything.”
    He continued to look at her, a confused expression covering his face. “That is hardly a concern, Amor. I have never been seriously involved with a woman. My life has been far too complicated and I never found anyone who was worth effort, until I met you.” He pulled her hand up to his mouth and placed a gentle kiss against her knuckles.
    She couldn’t help smiling at that, but her sober expression returned as she went on. “Yeah, but I have to assume you’ve been with women. You know, um, sexually.”
    Alexa wanted to crawl under the table.  
    Ethan’s eyes widened as the realization hit him. “You are a virgin?”
    ✧
    Her cheeks felt like they were on fire. She nodded almost imperceptibly without raising her eyes. All the awful things she had heard boys think about her over the years came rushing back. Not that she thought