His tone of surprise was palpable in his question.

She buried her face in the cushions and said, "Yeah, and it was only...well, only the one time," her cheeks burning as if someone had placed gas on her and set fire to it. "Are you feeling down? Oh, God, she was definitely the worst kind of lay.

“Disappointed? Look at me, Ellen," he said, scooping her up in his arms and nuzzling his face into her neck. Absolutely not; it would be ridiculous.

Was that enough to satisfy you?

”

He leaned very close to her and smiled affectionately. “Very.”

She didn't say a word and just cuddled up to...