Page 64 of Safe Place

I groan and cover my face with one hand. “You’re actually doing this right now.”

“Yep,” he says, completely unfazed. “I always use protection. And I get tested regularly—work thing. When you’re traveling all the time, meeting clients, shaking hands, sitting in packed conference rooms, the company makes health screenings part of the routine. Not that I’ve been with anyone recently, but still.”

I lower my hand, raising an eyebrow at him. “You’re saying this like you’re reading me a warranty policy.”

“Well,” he says, deadpan, “I could draft one up if that helps.”

“Stop.” I laugh despite myself. “You’re making this so awkward.”

“It’s only awkward because you’re making it awkward,” he teases, leaning forward slightly. “I just want you to know—when we get there, it’s supposed to be good for both of us. So if we’re ever moving too fast, or you’re not ready, you tell me. Deal?”

His eyes are steady on mine, and my chest tightens. “Deal,” I murmur.

But as the server brings our food, my thoughts spiral. Should I tell him I’m a virgin? What if it changes how he sees me? Or freaks him out? What if it makes things weird? But it would be wrong not to tell him, right?

I push my noodles around my plate, then take a breath. “Micah?”

“Yeah?”

“I, uh, I think you should know something.” My voice wavers, but I push through it. “I’ve never—I mean, I’m⁠⁠—”

“—a virgin?” he finishes for me, smiling slightly.

My head snaps up. “You knew?”

He shrugs, smiling like this is the easiest conversation in the world. “I had a feeling.”

“And you didn’t say anything?”

“Not really my business until you wanted to tell me,” he says simply, his tone softening. Then he leans back, his smile turning almost boyish. “If we ever move too fast, just let me know. I want you to be comfortable with me. That’s all that matters.”

I look down, feeling the heat on my cheeks, pretending to focus on my noodles. “Wow,” I mutter. “You’re really ruining my attempt to seem mysterious and cool.”

Micah smirks, resting his chin on his hand as he watches me. “You’re already cool. And for the record, mysterious or not, I like this version of you better.”

“Thanks,” I say as my cheeks heat.

“So, how have you been the past couple of days? I missed you,” he says, smoothly changing the subject.

“I missed you too.” My cheeks are probably still red, but I try to act normal. “Same old, I guess. Oh—I dropped my student today. You know, the one who⁠⁠—”

“Good.” His voice is firm, cutting me off before I can finish. “I was going to bring that up. I’m proud of you for handling it, but Sophie—please tell me if anyone is ever inappropriate with you. Okay?”

I want to. God, I want to. But what if this is the thing that finally makes you realize I’m too much?

I just smile and nod.

Micah studies me for a long moment, his perfect gray eyes searching my face like he can see straight through me. My heart skips because I know—he knows I’m not telling him everything. But after a beat, he just exhales softly and gives me a small, reassuring smile, letting me keep this to myself for now.

And that makes my chest ache even more.

I stare at my plate for a moment after he looks away. Carter's messages are still on my phone. I keep thinking about deleting them for good. Then I think maybe I should probably save them instead.

I don't know why. It’s not like I’m going to report him or anything. I don't want to make it a big deal or draw more attention to it.

MICAH

My mind is still on Sophie after dropping her off. That prick—the one who thought to gift her lingerie—keeps gnawing at me. She said she dropped him, and I believe her, but my gut tells me there’s more to it. And I’m a damn genius—my gut’s almost never wrong.