She gives me a small smile, letting me lead her up to the hostess.
“Room forty-three twenty. I checked in on the app.”
“Of course, sir. Right this way.”
After we are settled in at the table, I reach across, holding my hand out. She looks at it a moment before placing her hand in mine.
“He’s an asshole. He shouldn’t have outed your sexual preferences like that.”
She shakes her head. “I’m not a starfish or whatever. At least, I think I’m not.”
I narrow my eyes. How does she not know?
Making my tone lower, I ask her, “Did he force you into anal?”
She had just taken a drink of her water, spitting it out onto my face.
“What the fuck, Dom?”
I pick up my napkin, wiping down my face.
“What? How else do you not know if you like a little starfish action? I mean, if he didn’t do it right, then I bet that’s why. He doesn’t seem like he would give you any tender love and care while poking the starfish.”
She freezes, then she bursts out laughing.
“You think when he said I was a starfish in bed he was referring to the fact that I like anal? Seriously? How do starfish and anal even relate?”
I shrug. “The mouth on a starfish looks like a butthole. So you know you poke the starfish, slide into the butthole. Makes sense. So, are you saying that’s not what he meant?”
She shakes her head, biting her lower lip.
“Tell me,” I whisper, not realizing this is worse than what I thought.
Before she can answer, the server comes over, interrupting us. After giving our drink order, I turn back to her.
“I need you to explain.”
I reach out and rub my thumb across the back of her hand.
“It’s embarrassing.”
“Trust me. Please.”
She takes a deep breath. “After I broke up with him, he started telling people I was a starfish in bed. Meaning I just kind of lie there and make him do all the work. You know, like a starfish.”
Then she pulls her hand out of mine and holds her hands and legs out like a starfish.
She gives a small laugh, pulling her hands back into her.
It’s not funny though. I’m so angry I could punch him.
I’ll get kicked off the cruise, but fuck it. Katie can come home with me. Then I can show her exactly what I think of his accusation. There is no way in hell she’s a starfish.
“He’s an asshole and I’m about to go murder him.”
I go to get up, but she grabs my hand.
“Please don’t. Let’s enjoy dinner. I’m already over it.”
