Page 77 of Dark Surrender

“It’s there, though. There’s a stain on your jeans.” It’s a big stain and a big outline.

“Iris…” Dark groans like I’m killing him.

“What?” I shrug. “I’m just sayin’.”

“Yeah, just sayin’ my ass… We’ve established that I’m attracted to you. He is, too. I can’t control him any more than I can control the weather. Just ignore the erections.”

“It’s huge.” I know I shouldn’t, but I literally can’t stop looking at it. His pants form around it.

Dark covers his bit and snaps his fingers for me to look at his face. “Iris.”

“What? How am I supposed to just ignore it?” That’s like expecting a crazy person not to be crazy. Okay. That doesn’t make sense, does it? I’m a mess.

Dark stares at me pointedly. “Just pretend to. Just like I’m gonna pretend I don’t wanna touch you. So, I won’t. Maybe we both need to work on control so we can stay friends. But… I’m gonna say this now. Once and only once. That if you ever decide you want to see him or touch him, he’s game. If you decide that you want me to touch you. I’m game. Anytime. Anywhere. And… don’t freak out… but if you decide that you wanna have sex. We can. If you want it.”

My insides warm at the thought.

Nope. Not going there.

So we can get this shitshow on the road, I plop down on the passenger seat, prop my foot on the door, and sigh. “I don’t like men, Dark.”

“Yeah. I get that. But you like me. At least a little. Or we wouldn’t be friends.”

“That’s not what I mean.” It’s complicated.

“You’re a lesbian? Bi?” he asks.

I wave him off. “No. Nothing like that. I… I’m… Ugh. I can’t believe I’m gonna say this.” Squeezing my eyes shut, I stare down at my lap. “I’m…a virgin.”

There. I said it.

The cat is out of the bag.

Kill me now.

Dark’s jaw damn near hits the ground. “No. No, you’re not.”

I’d think I’d know if I had a penis inside my vagina at any point in my life. Considering that’s never happened, I’m pretty sure that means I’m a virgin.

“Yeah. I am.”

“But Harold.”

“Never had sex with me. Or touched me anywhere.”

“Did you touch him?”

“No.” Gross. I’d rather shave all my skin off with a dull cheese grater than touch that sicko. It was bad enough I had to kiss that man and have him grope me.

Dark shakes his head as if none of this computes. “How’s that possible?”

“I told him I was waiting for marriage, and anytime he tried to coerce me, I didn’t let him.” Men like Harold love power, but they also love a challenge. The bigger the catch, the sweeter the reward.

“So, there’s really never been anyone?” Dark asks as if I haven’t already said that.

“I was raised to hate men. To hurt them, hunt them, and help Dee kill them. Not to let them get close. Not to trust them.”

“So you’ve…” Dark’s gaze strays to the space between my legs. “Never.” He licks his lips.