Free Loved In Pieces by Carla J Hanna Page A

raised Christian and should only make love to the guy I want to marry. ”
    He interrupted with a whisper and kissed my ear and neck . “ We’re in Hollywood, babe. There’s no such thing as that kind of love in Hollywood. It’s an illusion, unre alistic. It never lasts, can’t last. Your mom is a good example. She’s the devoted Hollywood good girl who got dumped anyway.” Byron put his hand behind the back of my neck and kissed me again. I loved the feeling. And he was right. Dad dumped Mom anyway.
    He continued, “ What I know is that I’ m completely in love with you. You’re just scared. I’ll help you .” He laughed, “Honestly, it will be my first time to make love, too. I’ve had sex , but I’ve never made love.”
    “What?”
    “ T he girls are frantic to get my clothes off and have theirs off in seconds while I’m still finishing my drink. Look at you, you’re still dressed. We’re taking our time, loving each other. That’s what I want with you. I want us to enjoy each other, babe.”
    I let him pull me on top of him, still separated by the sheets. While his lips were kissing, his hands moved all over me and he put my hands under the sheets where he wanted them to be on his body. It was easy and moved very quickly. Before I knew how, I was clothed but under the sheets with his naked body.
    “You’ re so incredibly soft, like heaven. Please, Marie,” he begged, “relax.”
    He kissed me again gently along my chest, neck, cheeks, and lips. He gently caressed my body and lifted up my shirt to kiss my stomach and touch my breasts . H e paused and when I opened my eyes to see why, I saw that he finished pu t t ing on a condom . I froze.
    Byron whispered, “I feel like I’m with an angel. There’s no one like you, Marie . You’re so beautiful. ”
    Words didn’t come when he pulled off my sweats and panties a second later. He kissed my neck again. I couldn’t move. I didn’t speak. I stared at him. He opened his eyes as he got himself into position over me and looked at me with love in his eyes at first, shock second. He instantly moved to the side.
    “Whoa, babe . You look scared. You’re not ready. Please talk to me, tell me what you’re thinking so we can get you ready.” He kissed my cheek . “This is about both of us, you and me together, not about me. What can I do to help you, Marie ?”
    “ Y ou’re right. I’m not ready. I didn’t expect this. I need to use the bathroom, ” I lied.
    “Perhaps a nice massage for you? ” Byron suggested. “ Your shoulders are tense. I could work out your muscles, h elp you relax?”
    I left him in the bed , grabbed my sweats and panties , and grabb ed my iPhone . He urged me to come right back and told me he loved me again . My shirt and bra were still on. I put on the rest of my clothes , sat on the bathroom floor , and cried.
    I needed to get out of there. I hated that I almost had sex with him. I didn’t want to look at him, talk to him, or be near him. I was close to being one of his hundreds. I felt stupid . There were photographers outside. I couldn’t think. I texted Manuel.
    “Please help. Got to get out of Byron’s condo. Photographers outside.”
    Manuel texted me back. “ Byron too drunk to drive u home?”
    “Don’t want to c him.”
    “I’ll get u a cab. Where r u? Look at iPhone map.”
    I didn’t think of that. I got out my map on my iPhone and pressed the location button. It searched the GPS and gave me the pin. I texted the location to Manuel.
    “Okay, cab is on its way. ETA 5 min. It’ ll wait for u . U ok?”
    “No. I f ’ d up. ”
    “Txt when you’re safe at home.”
    “K. Thx.”
    I washed my f ace and composed myself , taking up the few minutes . I opened the door to the bedroom and saw Byron smoking a cigarette as he smiled at me.
    “Hey, babe …”
    I stopped to explain, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be a tease. I don’t want to have sex with you. ”
    “Marie, p lease come back to bed.