Page 10 of A Reputation Dark & Deadly

"It's a compliment," Karla assured her. "The thing about Logan is that he doesn't have a type. I don't think he'd take anyone's virginity" -

"Well, then, count me out again," Peyton interjected. She didn't even feel weird about admitting that she was a virgin.!

"You're a virgin?" Karla asked in disbelief.

"What?" Peyton asked. "A twenty-four-year old girl can't be a virgin?"

"Hey," Karla said, throwing her hands up, "I don't judge. You do whatever you need to do. And you know what, good for you."

"Then, what?" Peyton asked, cocking her head to the side.

"It's just..." Karla glanced away before looking back at Peyton. "You don't really look like a virgin, you know? You're pretty."

"Virgins are supposed to be ugly?" Peyton asked, disbelief tainting her tone.

"No, it's just..." Karla took a moment to stop and think about what she was going to say, which, in Peyton's silent opinion, was probably a good idea. "You have this confidence that a lot of women don't have. The way you walk, the way you look up when you walk, the way you roll your shoulders back... I mean, the reason I walk that way is because I'm getting great sex. I just assumed you were the same way."

"I'm confident because I know exactly who I am and what I want," Peyton told Karla. "Not because I'm having good sex. And I thought you and Logan weren't" -

"Oh." Karla waved a dismissive hand. "We’re not. We both grew out of it. Which worked for both of us. It started and then it ended. No strings attached. No feelings. The thing about Logan, he's not just good sex. He's..." She bit her bottom lip and shook her head. "Let me just tell you that good is an understatement. He always puts his women first and he always tries new things and, oh my God, I miss him."

"I'm sure he's a way better person to talk about this stuff with than I am," Peyton said, trying not to squirm uncomfortably in front of her.

Karla shook her head. "Nah," she said. "I had my time with him. He's not the type to do sloppy seconds. No. I'm passing the torch, as it were."

"To me?" Peyton shook her head. "Just because I'm his only TA doesn't mean anything. I'm also his student. I also don't want to bone some guy just because he's good looking and thought be a great fuck. I don't want to be one of many and I sure as shit am not planning to lose my virginity to a guy who won't appreciate it." She glanced at the doorway. Students were starting to leave, probably off to some classes. "Is that all you came to see me for? To tell me to sleep with him maybe?"

Karla pressed her lips together. "Not only that," she said. "Look, I heard that no one wants to be his TA. I know he won't give a shit. He's an easy type of person to run away from, especially if you're not sleeping with him. I get it. The thing is, he needs the help, and the fact that you took the TA gig regardless of his reputation" -

"Has nothing to do with him and everything to do with me," Peyton said, her eyes narrowed and sharp. She didn't know why but it was important that Karla knew that.

"You think I have access to my grandparents' credit cards or I have some trust that will pay me to be here?" Peyton shook her head. "If it weren't for my partial scholarship and the ability to work as a TA, I would have to get two jobs just to cover my tuition. That doesn't cover my parking permit, my dorm rent, my phone bill, my" -

"Okay, okay," Karla said, holding up her hand. "I get it."

"I don't think you do," Peyton said. "I've had to work for everything in my life. I'm not complaining about it. I appreciate the lessons it taught me at an early age. But I can't just go sleep with my advisor in order to let off steam. I can't risk everything just to get off."

Karla sat back in her chair and stared at Peyton coolly. Finally, she grinned. "He's going to like you," she murmured, more to herself than to Peyton. "He's going to really like you." Her grin turned wicked and she leaned forward. "Can I give you some advice?"

Peyton wanted to say no. She wanted to refuse to listen to any of this drivel that came out of her mouth. But she worked her brows and shrugged her shoulders. If she was being honest, she was curious as to what Karla felt she needed to say.

"I have an easy life," she said. "I get it. I know what I want and I go after it. I respect you and people like you who have to make their own luck. You get to choose your own destinies because you work so hard for them. I wish I knew with absolute certainty where I wantedmy life to go. But you need to take a break. Cut yourself some slack. Go get fucked. Get fucked. Seriously. Get some really good sex. Enjoy it because people like you deserve to get fucked because it will change your life." She narrowed her eyes just a fraction but not in a mean or calculating way. Rather, she wanted to show how serious she was. "Look, I know you don't believe me and that's okay. Before I lost my virginity, I was the same way. But then I got it. Just, will you do me a favor?" Before Peyton could even respond, Karla continued. "Don't knock it until you try it. And don't immediately say no to Logan. Give him a chance. He's worth it, I promise."

"He's worth it?" Peyton asked, furrowing her brows. "Are you kidding me? He has these ridiculous rules that you have to follow or else what? No kissing, no speaking to each other in public unless it's in a classroom and about whatever class you're TA'ing for. No going back to his place, only doing it at your place. Always always always wear protection. No feelings. No romance. That does not sound like a guy I want to lose my virginity to."

Karla quirked a brow, a small smile on her face. "How do you know about his rules?" she asked, clearly amused by something Peyton didn't quite understand.

Peyton gave her a look. "He has a reputation, Karla," she said, "and when I listen to people whispering, I pick up what they say. It's a perk of being invisible."

Karla gave her a frown. "I have no idea what you're talking about," she said. "About you being invisible. You know you're gorgeous, right? And I'm not saying that in a girl power kind of way, I'm saying that in a factual way. Like, it's not an opinion, it's the truth. You think Logan doesn't see you? Maybe you hide behind big sweaters and plaid shirts but you're not hiding in the same way you think you are."

Peyton felt her cheeks turn red at her compliments. "Regardless," she said, trying to ignore the swell of pride in her chest at the fact that someone like Karla was complimenting her, "my looks have nothing to do with him because I want nothing to do with him." She paused, her face softening a fraction. "Can I ask you something out of pure curiosity?"

"He made sure I came at least twice before he did most times," Karla said.

"No, that's not" -

Karla laughed at Peyton's obvious discomfort. "Oh my God, you really are a virgin," she said with a smile, not unkindly. "He is going to love you."