Lust by Leddy Harper

matter what I tried or how many times I tried the various steps.
    “Do we have to talk about that here?” she asked as her eyes darted around the room at the other people oblivious to us and enjoying their meals. Her feistiness had begun to thaw, leaving way for her insecurities to take hold. I could see it in her posture, in the way she looked around in fear of people eavesdropping. I could sense it in her cold and rigid form as she sat across the table from me.
    I slowly moved to occupy the empty seat next to her. I lowered my voice and took on a softer tone. “No, we don’t have to talk about that here. But we will need to discuss it at some point. Hopefully, sooner rather than later if you’re planning to overcome this anytime soon. But it’s up to you. We can work at your pace. I can make the plan but you’re the one that has to follow it.” I kept my voice quiet but stern as I leaned into her. I knew it was important to give her the control of the situation and then be there to take it back when she couldn’t handle it.
    Once I moved chairs, we each had a wall to our backs and we could see the entire room laid out in front of us. The people dining were all busy with their own meals or companions to even notice or acknowledge our presence, alone in the corner. My eyes moved back to hers and I was so close to her face I could almost feel the heat from her pink cheeks radiating onto my skin. I placed my hand on her knee, feeling her soft skin beneath the rip in her jeans. I could feel the heat of her body burning through the material and into my palm. Our eyes never wavered as her breaths grew quick and shallow. It was sexy as hell.
    “But there’s one more key that you’re missing here, Ivy,” I said in a voice so hoarse I wasn’t sure it was my own.
    Her words came out shaky and breathy as she asked, “What’s that?”
    “If you ever plan on being comfortable when someone else touches you, you’ll have to be comfortable touching yourself.” My eyes moved to her lips as I heard her already short breaths grow even shorter. I knew I had affected her, but I needed to make sure she wasn’t hyperventilating.
    “Wha–what do you mean?”
    “You need to learn to masturbate.”

Her eyes grew twice the size on her face. Her breathing had completely halted in her chest and her hands were rattling the silverware on the table. I kept my face straight as I stared back at her, even though all I wanted to do was smile.
    “Listen, you need to calm down,” I warned.
    “I can’t while you’re talking about that with your hand resting on my leg.”
    “Talking about what?” I goaded her, wanting to hear her say the word. I was testing her, pushing her to see how far she would go. “Say it. It’s just a word. A word like any other word.”
    She shook her head vigorously.
    I finally let the smile spread. “You will. I assure you that by time I’m done with you, you will confidently say it along with many other words that I’m sure would have your head spinning to think about right now.” I gripped her knee in my hand hard and said, “And as for my hand on your leg, in due time, it will be on other places on your body. Some way more intimate than this. This will also become something you will eventually be comfortable with.”
    Our plates were brought out so I released the tight hold on her leg and lifted my hands to the table. That was when she finally let out a breath of air and somewhat relaxed in her seat, but refused to speak.
    “Aren’t you going to eat?” I asked as she shuffled the food around her plate with her fork.
    “I’m a picky eater.”
    I didn’t specialize in eating disorders, but I was sure that was something one would use as an excuse not to eat in front of others.
    “You ordered it. Why would you request something you don’t like? I can call the waitress over and have her bring you something else if you’d like.”
    “No, that’s okay. I don’t need to bother anyone. I’ll