There was silence for two seconds and then John burst out laughing. It was his bubbling laugh that finally broke the dark spell over me. I had to loosen up, just like Steph said. I needed to be willing to make a mistake or two. I looked up at his laughing face and felt him lift me out of that dark place I'd been all day. Before long, I was laughing along with him.The infectious laughter spread and soon Mom started laughing, too. When we'd all calmed down a bit, John said, "Wait, wait. I don't mean to ask even more embarrassing questions, but I have to know. I understand how a little boy could pee on a plant, but how does a little girl do that?"Mom gave me a look that said you're on your own. "I had to be about four at the time and wore dresses with little cotton panties. I took off my panties and just ... squatted over the plant."That set him off again. Mom and I laughed more at his reaction. He finally had to cover his eyes so he couldn't see me anymore. "Oh God, I can't look at y

I squirmed in my chair and tried not to grin. "Stop it, seriously.""You have to tell me something! You can't just drop that on me and leave it at that." She picked up a fry and tore it apart, eating the bites with a grin."There's nothing to tell. I have no idea what's going on at this point.""So don't give me any details. Just give me a broad outline, between you and me. I won't tell a soul." She raised her eyebrows twice at me and nodded to encourage me.I was seriously tempted. I really needed to talk to someone about it, and since Jules was away I didn't really have anyone else. I shot for vague. "Okay, there's this guy, super sweet, and he makes me think naughty thoughts. That's all." Even as I said it, I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks."Have you told him?"I hesitated, but my nervous expression gave her the answer before I even said it. "Yes.""What did he say?""He likes me." I still couldn't believe it, but just remembering it made my eyes water. "But I'm scared to

"So you'd like me to help you learn?" His face was red now, too."Yes! I feel safe with you. I don't know why, but I really like you. I just have no idea what I'm doing." I leaned forward and took his hand. "I'm fascinated by your body and curious about your mind, but I want to know your heart, too. If I'd just wanted someone to fuck me, I could have let that happen a hundred different times. I want something more than that. Does this make any sense?""Yes, I feel the same way, and I'm sorry if I moved too fast the other night."I squeezed his hand and let it go, leaning back against the couch. "That was perfect, though. I'm the one that messed that up when I freaked out. I want to do more after my girl issues are gone.""How long will that be?""Usually five days.""For the record, periods don't bother me. It's not a fetish or anything, but it doesn't freak me out," he said casually, then picked up his tablet and swiped his unlock code."I'd like to wait, though. I can't imagine my f

I woke up alone and much later than normal. The shower was running, so I knew John was up. After stretching and scratching, I yawned my way into the bathroom.The light from the frosted glass window cast his shadow against the thin shower curtain. Seeing it should have made me shy, but he had given me more than just a physical release. He'd also set me free from something dark inside me that had kept me alone and afraid for years. It was liberating in a way I had never experienced before and made me feel giddy.Giggling, I pulled down my panties and sat on the toilet. "Sorry, I need to pee." I rolled up the panty liner and threw it away, then kicked my panties off completely.John chuckled from behind the curtain. "Good morning to you, too."There was a gap at my end of the shower curtain and I could see him soaping himself a little too vigorously. "Hey, are you jerking it?"He sighed and immediately slowed down. "I've been a little pent up lately."I was so curious about what he look

When I'd dressed, I put our laundry in the wash and found my cup of coffee near my spot on the couch. He wore jeans and an Old Dominion sweat-shirt, but was still barefoot. I sipped my coffee and looked at him over the rim. He was so handsome. One hand was holding his head up and the other held his tablet. I grabbed my phone and snapped a picture before he could move."I heard that.""So, you're gorgeous. I wanted a picture of you sitting that way.""Shoot away, my dear," he said then made a silly face for the camera while I took another."Do you want to go to the mall?""What time is it?""One o'clock. Let me finish my coffee and we'll go get something to eat, my treat!""Sounds good to me," he said, sitting up and stretching. "I'd better get my shoes and coat on, then."We took John's car and he held my hand after we got out of the neighborhood. Before, when I'd had boyfriends, I was always so nervous about affectionate displays. Some had been too clingy, others so distant I didn't