“That was unreal, JoJo,” he says, as I lift myself up from his rock-hard chest, chiseled with so many muscles it makes me weak in the knees ... or actually, let’s be honest, wet between my legs.

“I bet you say that to all the girls.”

Deflecting keeps my head in check. I know I’m not special to McQueen; I’m a fling. But he will always be special to me ... because I gave my virginity to him.

“I don’t. Not even close. You were ... different. I don’t know how to explain it.”

“Don’t try. I like thinking I was good at this,” I say, smiling. I lift myself off him and fall beside him on the couch.

I look at his hardness, where the condom is still rolled on. My heart stops for a moment as I see red blood on the latex.

His eyes follow mine, and I see a flash of concern across his eyes.

“Are you on your ... period?” he asks.

I know I’m not, not for a few weeks. That blood is the result of something else. The thing I didn’t really want to tell him, because I’m guessing he’ll feel bad for taking my virginity. And right now I want him to remember this as being something very good.

But I also don’t want to lie about my cycle because that feels weird, feels immature, even if it would get me off the hook. We just shared something intimate, and even if it was a no strings hook-up it was still something meaningful to me.

I can’t lie to McQueen. I don’t want to.

“I’m for sure not on my period.”

“Then ... are you okay?” he asks, not putting it together.

“I’m okay, it was just....” I try to tell him, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. Being a fair-skinned redhead has never worked to my favor. My true emotions are always instantly on display.

It’s as if something dawns on him. His eyebrows lift, his mouth opens lightly.

I’m glad we aren’t face to face. I don’t know why my sex-status feels embarrassing ... but it just makes it more awkward.

“JoJo, are you a virgin?”

The straightforwardness of his question causes me to snort reflexively. “I was.”

“Holy shit balls.” He stands, pulls off the condom, tosses it in the trash.

I look away, not knowing what might come next. Is he pissed at me for not telling him first? Is he grossed out by the blood?

He wraps a towel around his waist, and then hands one to me. I tuck it around myself quickly, feeling exposed. Well, my one-afternoon-stand was hot as hell until my virginal status messed it up.

But then he sits back down on the couch, and takes my hands in his, lacing my fingers in his so naturally, as if knowing this simple choice would instantly put me at ease. Which I’m sure he does know; he’s the epitome of a player.

“JoJo, why didn’t you tell me before?” His tone is soft, his face concerned.

“I didn’t think you’d be game if you knew.”

He smirks, shakes his head slightly. “Well, I’m not sure if I could have resisted, to be honest. You have no fucking clue how hot you are.”

“Shut up,” I tell him, pulling my hands away. But he grabs them back.

“JoJo, honestly, listen to me. I know this was a one-time thing, that you wanted to lose your virginity for whatever reasons you had—and, don’t worry, I’m not gonna ask. It’s none of my business, honestly. But hear me on this: you are fucking amazing, and I’m a lucky man to have been your first. Because, sweetheart, you literally nailed it.”

I know my face is red and that my chest is flushed—from both the sex and the sincerity of McQueen’s speech—but for a moment, maybe even a minute, I hear him. And I feel amazing.

I wanted to go all in with him, and I did.

I have a month, give or take, until my life changes forever, on terms that aren’t my own. But this moment right here? It’s mine. And McQueen didn’t take it away from.

In fact, he made it so much better.





Chapter Five





McQUEEN


After saying goodbye to JoJo, I get in my Jeep and head to Hearts Royalle, the new club Ace, Landon, and Jack have built. It opens in a week, and they have me headlining the first show. You know—bring in the big talent and hope the ladies are soaking their panties in excitement before I even step on stage.

It’ll be sad to say goodbye to Stripped, since it’s been the hottest male dance ticket for the last two years–but times are changing and Ace, as the owner, knows that.