“What about during me?” I suddenly feelnauseous.
Ryan shakes his head strictly, his eyesboring into mine, “None, I couldn’t be close like that to anyonebut you.”
“How close are we talking?”
“As close as one or the other allows.”
I gulp hard, trying to push the image of Ryanseducing another woman out of my head.
“If this makes you uncomfortable, we canleave.”
I stare at Ryan, trying to decipher myfeelings.
“Women actually pay you for sex?”
“No sex is implied, that would beprostitution,” Ryan clarifies, “but this is a lonely city andpeople crave intimacy. And that’s exactly what the boyfriendexperience is about, catering to emotional needs.”
“But it’s not real.”
“It doesn’t have to be. It’s escapism. Like aride at Disneyland.”
“You’re comparing it to the happiest place onearth?”
“I’m only trying to make a point that thereare all types of amusement park rides in life.”
“I just can’t grasp the concept.”
“You don’t have to. You’re one of the luckyones, you’re loved.”
I stare at Ryan, and even though I’m standingin a beautifully decorated room of ill repute, I do feel lucky, andloved.
“Why exactly did you bring me here?” I asknaively, glancing at the huge, striking bed beside us that Iabsolutely adore. Its frame is white metal, the headboard andfootboard shaped in a swirling, abstract design.
“I wanted to loosen you up a little. You’vebeen so stressed out lately,” his voice is genuinely sincere.
“What did you have in mind exactly?”
Ryan’s mouth spreads into a tempting smile.“Get undressed and I’ll show you.”
I put my hands on my hips, “I’m just supposedto strip down?”
“I don’t care how you get naked,” he says ashe pulls back the shiny cream comforter. “Just take your damnclothes off and lay on the bed.”
I glance hesitantly down at the sheets.
Ryan rolls his eyes, “Relax, it’s sanitary.You sleep on hotel mattresses don’t you?”
“Not after tonight,” I jest.
“Just strip, already,” he ordersplayfully.
“Bossy, bossy, I thought I was supposed toownyoutonight?”
Ryan’s eyes absolutely glow with excitement,“Baby, you not only own me, you possess me.”
“I didn’t realize I had so much power,” I sayseductively as I pull my top over my head.
Ryan saunters over to me and slips hisfingers through the belt loops of my jeans, then smashes my bodyinto his. “You have power, you have force, and you irreversibly ownmy heart,” he kisses me firmly, plunging his tongue into my mouth.I melt into his body, but as soon as I try to wrap my arms aroundhis neck, he swiftly wiggles away.