Page 54 of Nothing to Tell

“You don’t have to do that, you know.It’s sweet of you to say—”

“It’s not sweet at all.You wanted honesty?This is it,” Bastian said.“That guy could have you any day, any time he wanted, and he didn’t take full advantage?There has to be something wrong with him.”

His vehemence wasn’t meant to be vicious, she sensed it came from a place of certainty, which only compounded her own humiliation.

“There isn’t,” she said.

“There is, there has to be—”

“It’s me!”

Neither said a word for a few seconds.

“Right,” he said, seeming to figure it out.“You kicked him out of bed.That I get.”

“No.”She sighed.“You heard his joke about the Contrast Sisters.It’s a known fact that I’m no good… in bed… And now that I’ve confessed that horrifying truth to you, drive me into the ocean.”

“You’re no good in bed.”

Gawping, she probably squawked, but shock deafened her.

“You didn’t have to repeat it!”she said.“What kind of gentleman are you?Now when I fall asleep tonight I’ll hear you saying that sentence in my head over and over again.”

“You are good in bed.”

Her thoughts spun out with the speed of that turnaround.She didn’t get it.While she slowly died inside, Bastian just sat there like they were talking about the weather.

Exasperated, she swallowed air for a minute before sputtering, “How could you possibly know that?”Suspicion crept in.“Is this a guy thing where you try to goad me into proving you’re wrong thus you get sex of some variety while I get to be correct?”

His dimple was quick to distract her.“I’m not goading you into anything, Sweet.I’m giving you my opinion.”

He hadn’t sold her.“I appreciate the ignorant compliment, as well intentioned as it may be, but you can’t know that.”

“Sure I do.”

Never short of confidence, Bastian’s certainty bordered on cocky.

She didn’t get it.Just what was in those cocktails?

“Did we have sex and somehow I missed it?”

“No,” he said on a laugh.“But I have shared a bed with you and I have no complaints.”

Rather than laugh, she went for dry sarcasm instead.“Yes,” she said.“I do my best work while unconscious.”

He wasn’t deterred.“Sweet, there are three things I know about you for sure.All of them contradict whatever that inadequate, unthinking idiot might have said to you.”

This should be interesting.

She folded her arms.“Three?”

“You’re beautiful,” Bastian said.“You have a killer body that screams sin even when you’re trying to cover it up.You’re engaging and interesting.Your instinct is sharp.You’re entertaining, funny, and curious.You have a wonderful mind brimming with thoughts and questions enough to enrapture any man.You’re caring.Have a voice that diverts male blood south and would even if you were reciting the Constitution.And when you laugh I want to taste every morsel of that delectable mouth and beg for more.You’re responsive, keen, so aware of what’s going on but focused on your priority.A man doesn’t have to guess when he’s with you.Every squeak and whimper lets a guy know exactly what’s right, and what’s wrong.You’re better than every dessert on the cart; you’re prime rib rare enough to make a guy’s mouth water.With you, Harper Scott, there’s no such thing as no room for more.”

And that was…

Her mouth wouldn’t close but her—she—they…

“That was more than three things.”