“I can leave now,” she mumbles into the pillow, her voice muffled, body completely still.
It’s what I’d normally expect after a night like this, and what I’d prefer, honestly. A clean break, no strings, no awkward small talk. But why don’t I want her to leave yet? Maybe it’s because her presence doesn’t annoy me. I don’t feel like she’s after something from me except for what we just did to each other.
“You don’t have to do that,” I say.
She’s silent for a few long beats, then rolls onto her side, her eyes meeting mine. I mirror her, shifting onto my side so that we’re facing each other. She’s so damn pretty, even with her hair a mess and her lips swollen from all the kissing, choking, and biting. Dark auburn hair, dark black thick lashes and the prettiest blue eyes I’ve ever seen.
Maybe, if things were different and I was capable of loving someone, she’d be someone who I’d ask for her number. Maybe give her a call since I’ll be staying in Charlotte for medical school the next six years anyways. But things aren’t different and I’m not that kind of guy.
“I have another secret,” she whispers, her voice cautious. “If this is just a one-night stand and all.”
I arch a brow. “Oh yeah? What’s that?”
“Today…” She pauses, looking down at the sheets like she’s gathering her courage. “I found out I’m losing one of my fallopian tubes.”
I blink. “Well, damn.”
She nods slowly. “Yeah. I’m only twenty-three, but I’ve always wanted kids. Babies, you know? Someday. Not now. With the right person. And losing a tube… it lessens my chances. I have endometriosis. It’s bad. Might even have to lose an ovary in the future too.”
“You’ve still got one fallopian tube though, right?”
“Yeah.”
I nod again, not sure what to say to a confession like that. This isn’t my usual post-sex conversation. Actually, I don’t really do post-sex conversations. But this... I can tell she needed to get it out, and I’m proud she trusted me with it.
I’ve got a sister back home on my family’s ranch in South Carolina. We used to be close, but over the past few years, we’ve drifted apart, and I can imagine if she was going through something like this, she’d need some support and to feel like someone else understood. And maybe it’s the moment, or the way that sad look’s still sitting on her face, or maybe it’s the fact that tonight was my last ride and I’m feeling nostalgic, but I decide to share with her too.
“Well, I guess it’s only fair that I tell you another secret then.”
Her eyes brighten, curiosity lighting them up. “What’s that?”
I take a deep breath, a grin already pulling at my lips. “I only have one ball.”
She blinks, then bursts out laughing, rolling onto her back as she covers her mouth.
“Damn,” I mutter, though I’m grinning too. “Not the reaction you want when you tell a woman you lost a nut.”
She shakes her head, laughter still spilling out, but her eyes soften when she looks back at me. “I’m sorry, it’s just… I wasn’t expecting you to say that. I thought you were going to tell me something about your bull riding days. Are you serious?”
I nod. “Sure am.”
“I’m sorry, that sucks.”
“Bet you didn’t notice when I was fucking you, did you?”
Her cheeks flush, but she bites her lip, smiling. “Uh, no. I think I was distracted by… other things. Like the very large cock you’ve got and, uh, your single ball that is massive.”
I chuckle, shaking my head.
“It doesn’t… make you self-conscious at all? If people notice?” she asks, her voice softer now.
I shrug. “Why would it?”
She hesitates, then worries her bottom lip between her teeth. “I guess it’s different for me. All my stuff’s internal, but I still feel like I’m missing something, you know? Like people are going to look at me and know I’m not… whole anymore. Like I’m less feminine, even if they can’t see it.”
I don’t say anything right away. Instead, I pull her closer, wrapping my arm around her as her head rests against my chest perfectly. “You’ve got every right to feel that way,” I tell her. “But I’m telling you, any man worth a damn won’t care about tubes, ovaries, or any of that. He’ll love you because you’reyou. Knowing that about you doesn’t change anything about the way I see you.”
I don’t even know why I said it. I’ve never been this type of guy. I’m not the one to get sentimental or romantic, or tell women shit they need to hear but something about Regan’s vulnerability tugs at me and I mean what I said.
