He was handsome to her.

She didn't immediately start taking off his clothes. Even though she was intoxicated and the man in front of her had the smell of lust rolling off him, she waited. Like a lioness she dragged her nails down his chest to stop just above the waistband of his jeans. He placed his hand behind her head and guided her mouth towards his.

He was shorter than her, but that seemed to make her heart beat faster with anticipation. The stubble of his chin was like sandpaper. His other hand on her ass was squeezing too tight. Her resolve to extend the foreplay went out the window. Her hands sloppily started lifting his shirt.

"Stop." His grip on her wrist startled her.

"Sorry, should I get naked first?" She started to take her shirt off.

"No. I just can't let this happen again. Bring a girl home and then have her find out this way." He looked in her eyes as if searching for an answer to a question.

"Are you a serial killer?" A nudge didn't bring on the sudden fit of laughter she had hoped for. Since they weren't hot and heavy anymore the world was starting to spin. Either she needed another drink or she would have to wait out the tipsy.

"I don't know how to say this." He went to sit on the couch.

"Okay, well, write it down." She went to sit next to him.

Despite himself, Alex laughed. "Alright, I'm pre-op." He saw the confusion in her eyes and imagined the horror she would feel when he explained. Taking a steadying breath, Alex continued. "I used to be a woman."

Ray's eyebrows nearly touched her hairline. "Oh. Oh." She paused, looked at his crotch, and then said, "Oh."

"Yes, I understand if you feel uncomfortable. But I'm just so tired of lying. It has been three years since I've started my new life. Every time I think I am comfortable with myself I do this shit I should have known. I should be upfront about it. Look," he pleaded, "I know how you are feeling right now. I would be pissed. I'm sorry for the deception. I'll drive you home, just let me get some water. My head is spinning." He put his head in his hands as if the woes of the world had fallen on his shoulders.

"So, we aren't going to fuck?"

That woke Alex from his woe-is-me moment. "What?"

"You heard me. Stop making assumptions and let me speak. Men, always trying to be controlling. You didn't even consult me about your decision to stop our adult entertainment." She crossed her arms.

"Stop fucking with me," Alex had gotten up and started walking towards the door to throw her out.

"I'm not. Listen. I am not the person you brought home yesterday, or the day before that or the day before that. Don't let the past pre-determine your future. Just be present. This moment now. I, Ray Ophelia Jones," she put her hand to her heart, "pledge to only judge you, tonight, on who you are and not by what is between your legs." She then proceeded to take off her shirt.

Then she cut off any protest with a kiss. She guided his hand back to her ass and placed his other hand to the back of her neck.

"Please don't be joking with me. I couldn't take it." Alex was going to break down. She felt it in the way his body heated up and how the tears pulled in his eyes. She led him to the couch, sat him down, and began undressing. He looked, half longing and half terrified she was trying to humiliate him. She plopped down on his lap.

"This is my body. Every blemish is revealed. Every crook and cranny in the light. I also haven't shaved in weeks. Right now, I am vulnerable." She only looked at his eyes. They were very brown and red rimmed. Alex did break down. She allowed him to cry and hold her until he fell asleep.

As Ray lay in Alex arms, she realized this was a one night stand she wouldn't regret in the morning.