"Everything seems to be okay," Harper said, sliding the gloves off her hands. "Get dressed, and we'll talk."

She didn't have to tell me twice. I darted to the bathroom and ditched the exam gown before pulling my underwear and jeans up my legs. Glancing at the wall, I caught my reflection in the mirror above the sink. My eyes shone. They did that quite a lot since Jim and I started to go out. 

Back in Harper's office, I found her sitting at her desk, typing something on the keyboard while she stared at the computer screen.

"So, I'm here," I said.

Harper looked at me and smiled. "Hey, you. So, before we get some coffee and gossip, I have prepared this."

I took a piece of paper from Harper's hands. "The instructions?"

"Just a little reminder about how to take the pill. I've already told you this, but it's important to be consistent with the time, and—"

"Take it every day. Got it."

Harper winked. "Smart girl. Now let's get some caffeine and food. I need something to survive this day."

I shoved my arms into the sleeves of my jacket, snatched my purse from the back of the chair, and followed Harper to the hospital cafeteria.

We were lucky to find most tables vacant. After getting our sandwiches and lattes, Harper and I sat at a table by the window.

"So, how have you been?" I asked her.

A sigh left Harper's mouth. "Busy, but good. You're the one who has a lot to tell."

I smiled into my mug before answering, "Yeah, I do."

I needed to talk to someone. While I had no problem discussing books and clothes with my friends, I was reluctant to share the details of my relationship with them.

Something changed after Tasha made those ill-intentioned comments. They pricked at me and made me insecure — a disastrous combination for an overthinker like me.

"Jim and I have grown closer," I said to Harper. "And he gave me the key to his place."

Harper's eyes flared. "For real? Wow."

"Yeah, wow is what I said. To myself, of course. He said he wanted me to have it for when we were both busy, and I felt like spending time with him. It's soon; I know it is."

"Maybe, maybe not." Harper shrugged and took a bite of her sandwich. I waited for her to stop chewing so that she could elaborate. "Maybe he's not one to waste time."

"That's what he said. He's convincing and intense, but also tender, caring, and affectionate. And he's holding back whenever we are together; I just know it."

"Which made you think about birth control," Harper said.

I shook my head. "I thought about it because I want it with him. A lot. Maybe not right now, but soon, and I'd rather be prepared."

"That's logical. You're both young, and in love, and in your case, he's also your first, which makes everything even more exciting."

Heat rose to my cheeks. Harper squinted at me but said nothing, watching me eat my sandwich until the last bite disappeared from my plate.

"Ava, did you tell him?"

"No." The word tumbled out of my mouth in a whisper, and Harper gave me a disapproving look, something she didn't usually do.

"So, you're going to wait till your first time?"

"No. I'll tell him before that. It's not like we've done a lot. He's careful and doesn't push. I feel a bit bad because he always takes care of me, and I'm so damn inexperienced. I don't know what to do or how to touch him although I want to."

"I'd say go for it. He will love it. Sex is about affection, at least it should be. Everything's great when it comes from the person you love. It's not an exam you have to pass, and if a man ever makes you feel as if it were, that's a sure sign that you should dump him."

I bit on my bottom lip. "You're right; of course you are. It's just that...I'm insecure with him, and I hate it. I'd never been, until Jim."

Harper studied my face. "Did he do anything to make you feel that way?"

"No, never. It's all the opposite. He says all the right things, and I know he cares about me. I'm just...awkward."

Giving me a bright smile, Harper took my hand in hers and squeezed it. "You won't be when the time comes. You'll be too busy feeling things. Those nerves are normal, but since he knows what he's doing, let him. After spilling the tea, that is. The guy gave you the key to his place. I'd say he's smitten with you already, virgin or not."

"I'm into him, too."

Harper downed the rest of her coffee and got up from her chair. "I know you are, and it makes me happy. We need the real ones, too."

I giggled. "Jim feels a bit threatened by my strapping book boyfriends."

"Tell him what he could learn from them...and mark the pages for him."

Grinning at Harper's comment, I rose to my feet and gave her a tight hug. "I'll update you on the whole thing."

"Please do. And don't forget about the pill."

"I won't," I said, walking out of the cafeteria with Harper by my side.

***

Since I started to work, having a free afternoon had become a luxury. Today, I was determined to take advantage of it.

I parked my car and began an unhurried stroll down one of the main streets, enjoying the fresh air that didn't feel chilly for once.

My phone buzzed when I stopped to look at the red dress in the window of one of the stores.

Tasha sent a text to our group chat and attached a picture of a black see-through lingerie set to it. The caption under the photo read that it was for the concert. 

I rolled my eyes. Thinking that a famous musician would single you out among thousands of others was not only naive but ridiculous. Too bad there was no stopping Tasha when she set her mind on something. Or someone.

That guy surely had it all — the fame, the stardom, and a slew of women willing to fall at his feet and jump into his bed, which made Tasha's efforts to impress him pointless.

The lack of replies from the girls spoke volumes. I shoved the phone into my pocket, grimacing at the feel of a sticky candy wrapper I didn't throw away. 

I took it out and walked to the trashcan on the edge of the sidewalk.

The sudden roar of an engine made my heart jump in my chest. Stunned, I stared at the quickly approaching black vehicle.

It was too close, with its wheels almost grazing the sidewalk. Almost ready to hit me.

I backed off and lost my footing. My arms flailed, but I didn't manage to steady myself. The fall knocked the air out of my lungs. Helpless and clumsy, I scrambled to my feet. Nobody was around to help me. Hands shaking, I straightened my jacket, but as I looked down, I saw something worse than the mud stains on it  — my torn jeans and bloodied knees. 

Ordering myself to calm down, I thought about my options. Getting to my car and driving home would take me ages, dense afternoon traffic and all, but Jim's apartment building was near. 

Still shaking, I started to walk, feeling my frantic heartbeat in my throat.

***

The already familiar warmth of Jim's apartment soothed me some, but as I got rid of my sneakers and jacket and lowered myself onto the couch, inspecting my scraped knees, the dam broke.

Warm tears slid down my cheeks, soaking them. Lost in the recollection of those few scary instants on the street, I missed the moment Jim unlocked the front door.

"Ava!"

Jim's panicked voice filled the living room. I lifted my eyes off my lap, and there he was, with his slightly disheveled hair and fear in his green eyes.

Jim dropped the shopping bags he was holding onto the couch and crouched down beside me.

"What happened?"

Gently, he cupped my face in his warm hands, making me look at him.

"It's okay," I uttered, my voice shaky. "I was downtown, and a car passed too close to me. I got scared and fell and—"

"A car almost hit you?"

"I was on the edge of the sidewalk. It felt as if it was coming at me, but maybe it wasn't."

Jim frowned, but his features relaxed quickly. "Okay, let's take care of those scrapes. Wait here."

I watched Jim jump to his feet and disappear somewhere. He was back in a couple of minutes. Before I could say a word, he slid an arm under my knees and another one around my waist, lifting me off the couch.

With his lips pressed to my forehead, Jim carried me to the bedroom and deposited me on his bed.

"I wish I undressed you on a different occasion, but we have to get rid of these pants, 'kay?"

"Okay," I whispered, putting my palm on Jim's cheek as he squatted down in front of me and undid the button of my jeans. Carefully, he slid them off my hips and down my legs. 

I winced when the fabric grazed my knees.

"Almost done, Beautiful." Worry flashed across Jim's face when he inspected the wounds, but he regained his composure fast.

"I ran a warm bath for you. Would you like that?"

"Yeah," I whispered. "Thank you."

Jim's lips brushed against mine. "Don't thank me. Come on; I'll show you where everything is and give you a moment."

Taking my hand in his, Jim led me to his en-suite. I smiled at the lit candle on the bathroom vanity and the bubble bath Jim prepared.

“You have some shampoo on the edge of the tub. I’ll be in the bedroom. Call me if you need anything.”

After kissing my forehead, Jim left me alone. I finished undressing and slid into the foamy heaven, resting my head on the edge of the tub. My earlier nervousness ebbed a bit and dissolved entirely later.

“Ava, can I?” I heard Jim’s voice.

“Come in.”

The door opened, and Jim walked into the bathroom. There was a softness to the way he looked at me. 

“I suck at leaving you alone,” Jim said, sitting on the edge of the tub. “Show me your knees.”

“You’ll get wet,” I said when Jim edged forward and pressed a kiss to the top of my head.

“I’m a big boy. I’ll survive.”

I bent my knees so that Jim could take a look. “At least they’re clean now.”

A loud sigh left Jim’s mouth as he ran his fingertips across my leg close to my knee, barely touching it. Yet, my skin tingled from that innocent touch alone.

“I don’t like it,” Jim said, grabbing the bottle of shampoo and pouring some onto his palm before he started massaging it into my scalp. “I can’t stop thinking about it. Do you think some crazy weirdo wanted to run you over on purpose?”

I laughed. “Jim, I don’t think so. I think my clumsiness is to blame. I was distracted, thinking about stuff.”

“Did you think about me? Cause I did. You’ve been on my mind all day.”

I smiled, leaning into Jim’s touch and closing my eyes. “Of course, I did. I was going to call you just before that car scared me.”

“And the appointment?”

“Good. We decided on a pill. It’s the easiest way. I just have to remember to take it.”

“I’m glad. I mean, I’m glad it went well. Glad about the pill too.” Jim chuckled. “Stop me before I blurt out more weird stuff. I just keep looking at you and imagining what’s under those bubbles, and I really shouldn’t. I just came here to take care of you and give you some warm towels and clothes I put over there for you to wear. Now, I’m going to disappear because I just can’t stop rambling. See you. Think about what you want for dinner. I’ll cook.”

Jim pecked my cheek and bolted out of the en-suite as if the room was on fire. I looked down at myself to make sure the foam covered everything. It did. 

When I was done with my bath, I reentered the bedroom wearing a silky top and some shorts Jim must have bought today. I found him sitting on the bed with his hands steepled together on his knees.

“Thank you for the bath,” I said, straddling Jim’s lap. “And the clothes. You have to stop buying stuff for me.”

His lips curved upright slightly, but Jim kept silent, hugging me to him tightly instead.

“Don’t ask me for something you know I won’t do,” he mumbled into my neck. “Just deal with my overbearing, controlling, alpha male self.”

“You forgot strapping,” I whispered, kissing Jim’s jaw.

“And an idiot, idiot, idiot, and a fool for you.”

“Alpha male.” I let out a chuckle. “You seem pretty soft and tender to me.”

“There’s nothing soft about me right now,” Jim said, biting my shoulder. I raked my fingers through his hair, and suddenly, I wasn’t on his lap anymore. I was on the bed, under him, with his weight on top of me.

“Soft?” Jim whispered, rocking his hips to make me feel him.

My eyes flared. I blushed like an idiot, but then, he kissed me, moving his wet mouth against mine as if he was starving, caressing my tongue with his slowly at first and faster when I whimpered into the kiss.

“Stop me,” Jim rasped out, his chest heaving and his eyes clenched shut as he broke the kiss and rested his forehead against my shoulder.

I ran my palms over his broad back, feeling every defined muscle under his thin shirt. “No.”

One of Jim’s palms cupped my face. His lips claimed mine again, and I writhed against him, desperate to feel more, taking everything he was going to give me.

Jim’s hard length touched my core. Every inch of me touched every inch of him. It was as if our bodies were made to mold against each other. He moved forward, and so did I, kissing him deeper, sliding my hands under his shirt to touch his skin, committing the feel of him under my fingers to my memory.

“Ava,” Jim called my name in a whisper, rocking against me faster, swiveling his hips to graze that very sensitive spot of mine while he sucked on the tender skin of my neck. I gasped when the pressure started to build.

He felt it, too. His lips were on mine again, and my greedy hands explored and caressed, making Jim moan. I sucked on his tongue, deepening the kiss. Jim’s fingers tangled in my hair, pressing me to him even more, holding me close as his movements grew faster, and all I could think about was him.

Green eyes blazed into mine, and I could read it all there — the need, and the want, and the pleasure we both began to feel.

It took one soft thrust for me to lose it. My body shook, and so did Jim’s as he let go with a soft groan, leaning his slightly damp forehead against my collarbone.

I kissed the top of his head and embraced him tighter, feeling him smile against my skin.