Total Control by Desiree Wilder Page B

it coming. Be careful is all I’m saying.”
    “You and Trey hooked up at The Lock, and you’re still se eing each other,” I said.
    “I know, but Trey has been married before and has had a couple of other long relationships, so he knows what it’s all about. I’m also not as fragile as you are, Gia, no offense, but you haven’t really been in the dating game, it’s brutal.” She took my hand. “You’re my best friend and I love you. Take care of you first, don’t lose yourself again. That’s all I’m asking.” She smiled.
    Jo was sha king her head. “I think Ethan’s the real deal,” she said. “I’ve never seen you like you were when you were with him last weekend. Most guys who have commitment issues don’t tell someone they love them like he did to you the other night. I’ve talked to him about you, he’s crazy for you. Dana’s right, you do need to be careful, but don’t miss out on something great because you’re holding back.”
    “I’ll keep in mind what you’ve both said. Thanks for be ing honest with me, even if it was something I didn’t want to hear,” I told them. I looked out the window and wondered if I was misinterpreting Ethan’s and my relationship. I didn’t think Dana was right about Ethan being afraid of commitment. He wanted me to stay with him longer at The Lock, and he said he wanted to take care of me. He wanted to meet my family. If anything, it was like he was the opposite, like he was going too fast. I wondered if that should be a red flag.
    I turned back to the girls . “What about a guy who goes too fast? One who seems like he wants you with him all the time, right away?”
    “Ah, the control freak ,” Dana said. “Wants to plan everything, pay for everything, needs to know where you are and what you’re doing every second. Keeps close tabs on you and basically suffocates the shit out of you until you can’t even breathe without asking him first.”
    Jo looked worried. “Why? Gia, do you think Ethan is like that?”
    “I don’t know,” I said. “Maybe.” I thought about it a while longer. “I’m having such a good time with him. I don’t want to screw it up by jumping to any conclusions. I’m going to keep enjoying him and see how it plays out.” Yes, have fun and whatever happens, happens.
    “You’re having fabulous sex, aren’t you?” Dana asked, knowing the answer.
    “Unfuckingbelievable,” I said, emphasizing every syllable.
    Jo giggled ., “Good for you, Gia. Good for you.” She sat back in her seat with a satisfied look on her face. It made Dana and I laugh.
    “Would you ladies like another wine? It’s the last drink call of the flight ,” the stewardess said.
    “Yes, please, ” I said.
    The rest of the flight was fun as hell. I filled them in on some of the hot sex I’d been having for the first time in my life and Dana told us about some of the crazy shit she and Trey had done.
    “He’s absolutely uninhibited,” she said. “He insisted on going down on me the other night, even though I told him I was having my period. He gave me one hell of an orgasm, so I’d almost forgotten my situation when he came back up to kiss me, but I took one look at him and asked, ‘Who the fuck do you think you’re going to kiss with that clown mouth?’” Jo and I got wide-eyed, but then we about peed ourselves laughing.
    “Dana, that’s some nasty-ass story!” Jo told h er.
    “I know,” Dana said. “He’s an animal, what can I say? Besides that , I’m loving every second of it!” I loved her raunchy stories. She didn’t leave a thing out, not one detail.
    “You two are making me want to get some action this weekend!” Jo said. “Maybe I’ll have to go up and pay Vince a visit when we get home if I can’t find any elsewhere!” Oh, no! Don’t even go there, Jo!
    ***
     
    I called Ethan while we waited for our luggage. He said he was just thinking about me. It made me feel good and I couldn’t wait to ta lk to him again