Derek emerged from the bathroom with a towel folded over his midriff. His shaved balls shivered. He was similarly as horny now as he had been before losing his virginity, except for now he was on the opposite side of the line he had drawn.

He had done the one thing he let himself know he could never do. That was a complete prevaricating statement he had been telling himself.

When he was inside Ella, he realized he had consistently anticipated that it should work out. Obviously, he had, that was why he had consistently pushed Robert to do Carmen, so he won't feel the regret alone.

One piece of...