54

She closed her eyes and fought back tears. “Jas...you have no idea. Once I was with Jayems, once we had been together, made love… Jas,” her voice cracked. “He was a virgin, too.”

Jasmine stared at her in shock. Jayems, a virgin?

Rihlia found her composure. “We can mess around all we want, touching and kissing whomever we please, but the moment we cross that line, we can never go back. That’s why it’s a marriage. It has to be.”

Still at sea, Jasmine said, “I don’t understand.”

Frustrated, Rihlia searched for something Jasmine could comprehend. Inspiration struck. “Do you remember what you said about your first time?” she asked as she sat on the bed. “You told me it was mildly pleasant, but you felt detached and empty. Remember?” When Jasmine nodded, she asked, “Was it that way with Keilor?”

Jasmine sucked in a breath. “There was no comparison. I had feelings for him, and he clearly…. She lowered her eyes in embarrassment. “He was clearly a better lover.”