Chapter Twenty Three #2
“Delaney’s the head cook for the ranch, I market our beef products and help when needed, and Rebecca saves the world,” Rachel said, sipping her wine.
“What do you do to save the world?” Riley asked curiously.
“I work for the government. They send me on jobs,” she explained, avoiding Riley’s gaze. “Rachel likes to tease me.”
“Never mind her. We have a burning question for you. What’s it like to stay at the cabin with that big bear of a man, Garrett?”
Riley felt the heat rise to her cheeks. “He’s…nice.”
“Ha, ha, ha,” Rachel laughed and pointed to Delaney. “Pay up. She slept with him.”
“I didn’t say…,” Riley exclaimed. “How can you tell?”
“Girl, he’s one hell of a specimen. Why do you feel embarrassed?” Delaney asked. “Rachel says he’s very protective of you and Tara. Before you allowed Tara to stay with Kara, he made Julio and Rebecca promise not to let your sister out of their sight.”
“I’m not embarrassed…it’s still all new and stuff,” she said lamely.
“It must be hard with your sister there,” Rachel said, drinking her wine. “It’s a good thing you’re not a virgin.”
Riley wanted to melt into the floor. Her cheeks felt on fire, and she desperately wanted to flee. This didn’t feel like friendship. It felt like harassment.
“Wait a minute. You were a virgin, weren’t you?” Rachel asked, cringing. “I’m sorry. Sometimes my inner bitch comes out, and I can’t stop my mouth. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“You asked me here to waylay me into telling you about sleeping with a man. It’s none of your business.
I thought you wanted to be friends. You’re nothing more than a bunch of cowboys in a bunkhouse debating who they plan to tap next,” she said, enraged.
Leaning forward, she put her wineglass on the table.
Riley pushed herself off the couch, intending to leave.
“Wait a minute, Riley,” Rebecca pleaded. “It’s my fault. We’re working on talking about sex. My therapist recommended it. It’s supposed to help me to open up with my friends. Obviously, Rachel enjoys talking about her sex life, Delaney doesn’t have one, and this left you.”
“Why do you need to talk about it at all?” Riley asked. “It’s clumsy, awkward, and sometimes embarrassing. You need a new therapist if she thinks talking about it will help you.”
“Oh, Riley,” Rachel said. “Did you have a bad experience? Garrett doesn’t seem like the type of guy to leave you hanging.”
“No. Yes. The first time hurt like a bitch. But then Garrett put me in the bathtub, and then we enjoyed it. Why do guys not want you to taste them?” she asked.
“You mean like giving him a blowjob?” Rachel asked. “They love it. Do you know how?”
Riley shook her head. “I lived on a ranch, and I guess my mom figured I got the idea. We never spoke about it. We’ve only had sex a few times, but when I ask to do the same thing he does to me, he says, ‘next time.’”
“Honey, you’re new at this. Garrett might want to take it slow to give you time to acclimate to having sex. Didn’t you have girlfriends who talked about this kind of stuff?” Rebecca asked gently.
Riley shook her head, now feeling like an idiot.
Rachel patted her hand. “We’re your friends.
What we say in this circle stays here. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.
Garrett’s a handsome dude. Not bad, Riley,” she said, nudging her shoulder.
“Let’s talk about some basic facts. When you finish intercourse, it’s important you use the bathroom. It prevents UTIs from forming.”
“They used to call it ‘honeymooners syndrome’ in the old days. Young brides came home with a flaming UTI after having sex. Then again, they weren’t allowed to have sex until marriage. Their husbands probably burst at the seams at their ceremonies,” Delaney informed her.
“Have you thought about birth control?” Rebecca asked.
“We’ve used condoms,” Riley admitted, feeling better as the women banded together, offering her advice.
Rebecca nodded. “Condoms can be effective, but if one tears, you’ll have another problem.”
“I’m not sure about my options,” Riley said shyly. “I know about the pill, but that’s about it.”
“Girl, even that isn’t always effective,” Delaney said, rubbing her tummy.
“Dr. Greene is visiting from Serenity Mountain. She’s an OBGYN.
She and Annabelle take turns, providing us medical aid for the hands and such,” Rebecca carefully explained.
“We can have her meet at my house, give you an exam, and go over your options. Don’t feel you have to do anything if you’re comfortable with what you’re using now. ”
Riley bit her lip. “No. It’s probably a good thing to do. I’m not ready for a child, and it’s my responsibility.”
“I’ll ask her to make time next Monday. You let me know what time works best, and I’ll arrange it,” Rebecca assured her.
“Can I ask you about other stuff, too?” she asked.
“Of course, I promise we were only teasing, but we’ll happily help you. What do you need?” Rachel asked, sincerely.
“How do you have oral sex with a guy?” she blurted out. “I’m sorry, if you think it’s disgusting, forget I said it.”
“Nothing you do with someone you care about can be disgusting. As long as you’re two consenting adults, you can do anything you feel like,” Rebecca advised.
“I think we’ll need a few bananas,” Delaney suggested, attempting to get up.
“Nope. Sit down, sister. I’ll get them,” Rachel said, determined to spoil her pregnant friend.
“I have to pee again, help me up,” Delaney said, holding out her hand. Rachel rose, assisting her friend.
“First rule of girl code, Riley. We always help each other. Sisters before misters, and we’re always available to lend advice,” Rachel informed Riley.
“There’s one thing we can’t speak about yet, and I want you to remember this conversation. Sometimes we have to keep a secret to protect someone else. When the time comes, I promise to explain. Please keep this in mind,” Rebecca said mysteriously.
Delaney returned with a bunch of bananas. “There’s no embarrassment here. It’s important to learn the technique.”
“Do…you do this with your men?” she asked.
“Why do you think we’re showing you?” Rachel asked. “By the time you’re done, Garrett will do whatever you ask of him.”
“No…do you enjoy it?” she rephrased the question.
“Some women do, and others don’t. It’s a personal choice,” Rebecca explained. “You’ll never know if you don’t try it.”
“Men sometimes have specific preferences. Listen to your partner,” Rachel instructed. “He may not come out and say, ‘I like this or that.’ He may moan or shift uncomfortably. He may grip your hair or move you in a certain motion.”
“What if I don’t like it?”
“Then you tell him. Having sex is about pleasuring one another. If you’re not enjoying it, then don’t do it,” Rebecca advised.
Rachel left and returned a minute later with a roll of condoms. “We’ll practice with this today. Have you ever visited a naughty store? Do you have any sexy lingerie?”
Riley shook her head, feeling wholly out of her depth.
“Once you get your cast off, we’ll take you shopping for some new clothes,” Rachel offered. “Shouldn’t you be getting it off soon?”
“I can’t afford a lot,” Riley gushed, changing the topic. “Buying Tara's clothes from charity stores takes up most of my funds. Usually, I make do with a few outfits I can mix and match,” she admitted.
“We’ll figure it out. Don’t you have a birthday coming up?” Rebecca asked.
“Yeah. How did you know?” Riley asked.
“You mentioned it when Garrett hit you with the truck. The nurses asked for your birth date. He must have asked Matthew to check your wallet, and I overheard,” Rachel explained.
“I don’t remember you at the hospital,” Riley said, confused.
“You hit your head,” Delaney offered. “Now let’s get to the lessons.”
The women showed her how to roll the condom down seductively and they laughed the afternoon away having their ‘tea.’ Riley glanced around, reveling in her good fortune.