Read Online A Heart Not Easily Broken (The Butterfly Memoirs) by M. J. Kane - Free Book Online

empty.
    “I have no problem with honesty.” He paused. “I haven’t dated in a year.”
    I eyed him suspiciously. “Women at the club practically threw themselves at you.”
    He smiled. “If you mean dated as in having a steady relationship, then it’s been a year. If you mean when I last had sex, then two weeks would be right.”
    Hearing him say the word again made me warm in all the right places.
    “Ah, you’re one of those types.” I nodded in understanding while trying not to imagine him naked.
    “What type?”
    “A guy with a phone full of numbers for girls to hook up with.”
    Brian shrugged. “I used to, but right now I’ve got other things taking up my time.”
    “You mean you don’t have anyone you spend time with? No friends-with-benefits? I don’t believe you.”
    Oh crap, the words just flew out of my mouth. What was I thinking? Who he did in his spare time was none of my business.
    “No, the position is empty. Are you interested?” A sly grin appeared on his face.
    I laughed. “I’ve never understood how people can have sex with someone and not be in a relationship of any kind. Yasmine does it all the time. Why is everything about sex? What about friendship or love? You have to relate to a person in order to truly enjoy sex.”
    Ok, I was being the greatest hypocrite. I was guilty of having a friends-with-benefits relationship with Patrick. The rules we’d established hadn’t changed the relationship status.
    Brian laughed. “Ebony, when you break it down, everything is about sex. It’s human nature.”
    “No, it isn’t,” I protested. “Not for me.”
    “So what you’re saying is you would be interested in a permanent relationship.”
    Uh-oh, this conversation strayed way off track. My efforts to dig out of it only made it worse.
    “Well, no. I’m not looking for anything. What I mean is…”
    He smirked. “Then answer this. Why am I not your type?”
    How in the hell did I answer without sounding like an idiot? I glanced up and saw Brian patiently waiting for a reply.
    “I have a certain physical preference, that’s all.”
    “Uh huh. Is it racial or physical?” Before I could answer, he said, “I saw you checking Derrick out, he’s engaged by the way.”
    “Who’s Derrick?”
    “He’s the drummer. So it’s safe to assume since he’s built like a linebacker, that’s what you want.”
    I wanted to open my mouth, but couldn’t.
    Brian cocked his head to the side. “Hmm, no response. I must be right. Unless,” he held up a finger, “it’s about me being white. What’s the matter, you don’t think I could please you in bed?”
    I could not answer any of his questions. Any reply would leave me sounding like a jackass or racist; I was neither. The only thing I was certain of was being uncomfortable with seeing Brian after tonight. He was smart, witty, and knew how to challenge my mind. I liked him.
    “Brian, I’m not like that. If I went to bed with you, it would be because I like you. I’m not basing anything on stereotypes or ignorant thinking. When I sleep with a man, I have certain requirements.”
    One of his eyebrows lifted. “What requirements?”
    “Monogamy. No long-term commitment required, just…I don’t want to wonder if you were with someone else when not with me.”
    “I can handle that.” Brian’s expression had gone serious.
    Oh man. I felt my eyes widen and skin flush.
    “But since you’ve made it obvious sex is not an option, I’m willing to settle on being friends,” he added.
    Our server walked by and placed the check on the table. I reached for my purse just as Brian dug into his wallet.
    “You don’t have to”
    “I’ve got this. You can pay for dinner the next time we go out if it makes you happy.”
    I scoffed. “Who said there would be a next time?”
    Brian placed his credit card on the tray with the bill and handed it to our server. He waited until he walked away to reply.  “Because, Ebony, you like me. We can be