Rashid Kissing my way along Lyla's shoulder, I watched her stir as she slowly woke up from her peaceful dream. I curled my arms tighter around her form, pressing her against my chest, so she was tucked in safely and securely. Plenty of times in my life, I've had the opportunity of being this close to a woman—of being this intimate with her. I'd never taken it, though, always feeling too vulnerable and raw. Exposing myself too much in the face of a stranger, who I had no intentions of seeing again after spending time together. Yet, here I was. Curled up close with a woman whose virginity I bought over the internet. Her gentle breath tickled my chest, and the warmth from her skin seeped into mine while we lay here together as the mid-morning light streamed through my curtained windows. W