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“Men need to be more careful with the women they love.” He tilts his head, his expression full of pity. “They have no idea the damage they can do.”
“I technically did ask a question, but here’s how the next five minutes are going to go. You’re not going to speak. I’m going to talk to you. I’m going to strip you down and point out all the things I love about your body. For five minutes, you are going to just enjoy a man, who you think fucks like a porn star, worshiping you. How’s that sound?”
“Avery, listen to me. You’re beautiful. You’re worthy. Don’t you dare let any man treat you like garbage. Don’t let any man tell you you’re lacking. If he doesn’t see you as sexy, he’s not using his eyes.” He hooks his finger around my chin and guides my view so I’m looking into my own eyes. “But confidence starts with you. A man is going to treat you how you treat yourself. So please, for the love of God, act like a fucking queen.”
My identity was so wrapped up in a man that the minute he didn’t want me anymore, I lost my identity.
“If a man doesn’t give, he doesn’t get. End of story. Don’t waste your time on selfish assholes.”
How many times did I have to take care of myself when Mason finished and didn’t bother to ask if I was okay? How many times did I get myself off fantasizing about my boyfriend fucking me somewhere, anywhere other than the bed in the pitch-dark? How many times did I wish a man wanted me so damn much that missionary wouldn’t satisfy the craving? That he’d need more…deeper…wilder.
If you want to enjoy your sex life, you have to stop apologizing for your body. It’s beautiful.
You should be earned every day of your life. Don’t ever let any man make you question that.”
“Yeah, I hope not. That love almost destroyed me.”
“Real beauty isn’t loud and demanding. It’s subtle.” I tuck a loose strand of her rich, dark hair behind her ear. “Men look past you because you represent what they’re scared of. Palmer’s the kind of attractive you enjoy for the night. You have the kind of beauty you worship for a lifetime.”
The reality is, Nora didn’t just treat me like garbage… I let her.
I never wanted to be a girl who found validation in how she looked. I don’t think that makeup, sexy clothes, or my weight should be the most direct path to a man’s heart. I wanted to be loved for me—my mind, my generosity, my work ethic, my loyalty… But I wonder if sometimes I brought out the worst in Mason by neglecting something that is fundamentally important in a relationship.”
What do you want from sex?” “I just want you to like—” “No, I said what do you want from sex?” She pulls her eyes from mine and looks over my shoulder. “I honestly don’t know.” I snake my arms around her hips and squeeze the top of her ass. “That comes from years of sleeping with a guy who doesn’t care if you finish.”
“It also comes from the humiliation of asking to try things and being told no one too many times,” she finally says, her voice cracking. “Rejection is one of those things that sticks with you.”
