should remain celibate with respect to each other until we are married."

"Married? You haven't proposed to me. Where does this newfound morality come from? Mark, I want you in my mouth. Right now. And I want you in my pussy soon. It's all I've been thinking about."

"What we did those times sexually happened, Annie, we can't change that. I don't want to change it. But I must insist that a repeat performance wait until we are husband and wife if that is where we are headed with our relationship. No, I have not proposed to you…yet. I have a little present for you. Not a ring…yet…but something I hope you'll like. Now close your eyes, my valentine." Mark put the chain with the heart pendant around my neck. "It belonged to my grandmother."

"It's beautiful, Mark. I love it! It looks expensive. Thank you so very much. I have a valentine for you, too. It's between my legs. I want it to be yours forever, my love."

"All in due time, Annie."

Very disappointed, I insisted, "Tell me about this change in your perspective regarding pre-marital sexual relations, Mark."

"Let's just say I have seen the light."

"I want to see the lights too. While you are making love to me and hitting my G-spot just right like you did before. Please, Mark?"

"No, Annie. We must wait." I sulked and pouted and remained quiet all the way to Mark's apartment.

"Nice place," I finally spoke miserably as we entered.

"Yes, I like it. Annie, I have to work the second shift in the ER at the hospital and must leave soon. Here's a key. I'll meet you back here at midnight. My friend Robert is going to entertain you in my absence. Take you sightseeing. Dinner. Whatever you would like to do."

"What I would like, Mark, is for you to make love to me."

"I think you already said that, Annie. We'll talk about it more when we meet later. Okay?"

"I guess I don't have much choice. I'm not real crazy about being led around the city by a stranger." I moved close to Mark and reached for his zipper. "You didn't become a eunuch did you? Let me have a look, doctor. I want to make sure you still have the package. Let me be your own personal head nurse." I unzipped him.

Mark pulled away. "What part of 'no' don't you understand, Annie? And Robert is no stranger. He's one of my best friends. And you don't have to worry about him hitting on you. He's gay."

"Gay? Wonderful. I have a date with a gay man and all that’s on my mind is sex. Fuck that!"

"Annie! Shame on you!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Mark. I'm just totally frustrated by these new developments."

"It will be for the best, Annie. You'll see."

"I sure hope so but I fucking doubt it."

"Annie! You know I don't like to hear that kind of language from you."

"Sorry." I thought, what is your fucking problem? Mark was pissing me off. My hair would have stood on end if it wasn't so curly.

"Here's Robert now." Mark introduced us. Robert began to irritate me right from the beginning. He had this nasal high-pitched voice that reminded me of fingernails scraping on a chalkboard. Mark and I confirmed that we would rendezvous back at the apartment about midnight. He left for work and I reluctantly