by Anna Rezes
“Did you?”
“No.”
“You don’t strike me as the type of person to put something on your body just because it’s cute. I’m sure it has a purpose.”
“If you laugh at me, I will murder you.”
“You think I would laugh at something that’s so meaningful to you.”
I sighed before beginning, “Growing up we had this dog. I got her as a puppy on my eighth birthday. She was my favorite thing in the world. I even liked her more than my friend, Jodi. I didn’t have any siblings, so naturally, I treated this dog like she was my sister. We went everywhere together. I would even have pretend-fights with her because I knew siblings fought sometimes. She meant the world to me.
“I always slept on my stomach, and she would sleep next to me with her head resting just below my right shoulder blade,” I said, touching the location of the tattoo. “She lived to be thirteen, which is a long time for a German Shepherd. She died on my twenty-first birthday, and I got the tattoo as a way to commemorate her.” I sniffled. “Damn, I haven’t cried about her in years.”
As I wiped away my tears, he said, “That’s beautiful. I just have one follow-up question. If it commemorates your dog, why is it a bird?”
“Her name was Birdie.”
There was humor in his voice as he asked, “You named your dog Birdie?”
“Yes, I did, and now I have to kill you. I told you not to laugh.”
“I’m not laughing,” he said, squeezing me. He pressed a kiss on the top of my head. “I swear I wasn’t laughing at you. I think it’s perfect. I love the way your mind works.”
I didn’t know what to say to that, so I laid there, relaxing into his warmth. Twelve hours ago, he was a stranger. How could I feel so comfortable wrapped up in his arms?
The next thing I knew, Oliver was saying my name, “Willa. Willa, wake up. We have to go in. You’re freezing.”
I couldn’t believe I fell asleep on him. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. I would’ve let you sleep there all night, but you started shivering.”
As soon as I sat up, Oliver slipped off the car and turned to help me down as if I were incapable of doing it on my own. The feminist in me balked at the move, while the rest of me loved sliding down his body. I would take that ‘help’ anytime.
There was a tension between us that hadn’t been their earlier. I got the sense he had sorted his demons, and no longer wanted to keep things platonic. I wasn’t about to fight him and therein lied the problem. I promised myself I would not have sex with him no matter how much my body demanded it.
His wrapped his arm around my shoulder as we walked toward the hotel. A limo pulled up just as we were entering the building. The limo doors opened, and a group of rowdy girls in their early twenties came stumbling out. I glanced back to see they were all decked out in bachelorette party attire. Their slurred words and overly affectionate behavior made it obvious how drunk they were. They linked arms, leaning on each other, which was dangerous because they were all unstable, teetering around in their stilettos. It was a miracle their mini-dresses weren’t showing more than they should.
“Wait,” I said, and Oliver paused, but I pulled him forward, continuing my thought. “It’s Tuesday. Who has a bachelorette party on a Tuesday?”
He pushed the button for the elevator, saying, “You know what they say about going to the club on a Tuesday.”
I laughed aloud, leaning into him. “You think they’re choosey?”
“You got the reference.”
“Of course, I know that song.” I peeked over his shoulder, noting, “It looks like we’ll be sharing our elevator with them.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll protect you,” he whispered in my ear.
“I’m not the one that needs protection,” I said to him as the five girls approached, all of them taking him in. I nudged him, whispering, “Here’s your chance at sloppy rebound sex.”
The doors opened for the seven of us to pile in the elevator.
“Hey there,” said one of the girls as she eye-humped Oliver. “Are you two together?”
“Oh, us,” I said, pulling away from Oliver’s grip. “No. He’s my brother.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Oliver’s head jerk toward me. I smiled bigger as the girls openly hit on him, one of them stroking her hand down his chest. He tried to fend them off, and eventually, he said, “Sorry, ladies, I only have eyes for my sister.” He reached out, his hand cupping my butt to give it a little squeeze. And as if that wasn’t enough, he moved me to stand in front of him, using me as a human shield. His lips fell to the crook of my neck, and he kissed me, his tongue sliding across the sensitive skin. He whispered, “Sweet revenge.” His breath sent a shock wave of desire through me.
The girls were making faces of disgust as they unloaded from the elevator. They made some snide comments, but I couldn’t tell you what they said because I was too focused on Oliver’s sweet revenge. The doors closed again, and the elevator rose.
“They’re gone,” I breathed. “You can move now.” Even as I said it, my eyes closed as my head tilted back to rest against his chest, giving him better access.
I felt his silent laugh against my skin as his lips continued to press soft kisses along my neck and shoulder. His breath tickled as he whispered, “Who said I was doing it for them?”
“Oliver.” It was a plea, but I didn’t know whether I was asking him to stop or insisting he keep going.
“Willa,” he replied, nearly breathless.
The elevator dinged, announcing that we had reached our floor, but neither of us moved. I watched the doors close back up, and Oliver’s hands slid down my arms, his fingers interlocking with mine. “I want to feel you, Willa. I’m dying to touch you.”
Then why was he holding my hands? Oh, right, he had restraint, something I seemed incapable of retaining. The elevator descended, and his face nestled against my neck as he tried to pull himself together.
Thank God, the teenagers waiting for the elevator were making so much noise, because it gave Oliver and me enough warning to break our connection just before the doors opened to the lobby. I tried to move to stand next to Oliver, but he held me in place, saying to the group of guys, “We’re going up.”
The group loaded onto the elevator, all of them suddenly much quieter than before as they kept glancing our way. I felt the flush across my cheeks, and I didn’t know if Oliver looked disheveled. As my back pressed back into him, I felt the evidence of his arousal and slid against it, causing him to suck in a breath.
The doors to the third floor opened and the guys took off. I stepped forward, looking over my shoulder to inspect the impressive bulge in Oliver’s pants.
“You think this is funny?” he asked.
I smiled at him as I backed to the doors, putting my foot in the opening, so we didn’t take another unnecessary ride to the lobby. “No,” I replied. “I’m just glad I don’t get boners when I’m horny.”
Oliver adjusted himself, stepping out of the elevator with me. “You think you weren’t just as obvious,” he said, turning to me and grazing a hand across one of my flushed cheeks. “Pink is a good color on you. And don’t think for a second those boys didn’t notice the headlights you’re sporting.” His eyes flicked to my chest, and I crossed my arms, covering my breasts.
He shook his head. “I don’t want you to hide from me.”
He grabbed my hand and led me to our doors. I stopped before we reached his door because if I went in there with him, I would be too tempted to strip him naked and ride him like a cowgirl. Even the image in my head had me barely containing my desires. I leaned against my door as I turned to face him. “I should get some sleep.”
Blue eyes melted me as he stepped in close. He leaned on my door next to me, gently brushing his fingers through my hair, pushing it back from my face.
“I should probably get some sleep, too,” he said softly as he leaned in, staring at my lips. I tilted my c
hin toward him and the hand that was brushing my hair, wrapped around the back of my neck, pulling me toward him.
His breath teased my lips as he whispered, “Truth. I’ve never wanted to kiss someone as badly as I want to kiss you right now.”
That was my out. That was when I should have pulled away, but instead, I said, “Then do it.”
I expected his lips to crush mine in a desperate kiss, but his lips were feather-soft against mine. I had never experienced such a slow sensually agonizing kiss. He was drawing it out as long as he could, and I savored the feel, soaking up every second. He teased my mouth with his tongue, and before I lost my mind, I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him closer, needing more, wanting it all. He finally relented. His plush lips grew demanding, and his tongue found mine. I let out a pleasure moan—like a long, exaggerated porn moan, and instead of thinking it was absurd, he reacted like it was the hottest thing he had ever heard.
Suddenly, my back was pressed up against the door, and he was devouring me. His hands wandered down my body, exploring like he couldn’t help himself. His thumb swiped my nipple, and I broke our kiss to get some air. “Oliver,” I panted, and he groaned in response. His mouth didn’t stop. His lips traveled down to the base of my neck. I noticed that seemed to be his favorite spot. His teeth gently nipped at the skin of my shoulder while his hands grabbed my ass, pressing me against his hard length. I was about to have an orgasm fully dressed right there in the hallway if we continued, and as much as I wanted the release, I knew this was going too far, way too fast.
“Wait,” I said, panting.
His hands released my ass, and his palms went to the door behind me as his forehead rested on my shoulder. He was breathing heavily, and I felt like a tease.
“Sorry,” I whispered. “I didn’t mean to—”
“No.” He paused, taking a breath. “I took it too far. You’re just so fucking hot.”
“But I’ve only known you for a day. I can’t do this.”
He pulled back, looking me in the eye. “It feels like so much longer.”
My gaze flicked to his lips.
“Stop it,” he reprimanded. “It’s hard enough not to kiss you.”
“God, that kiss,” I whispered.
“I know,” he agreed. “Willa, I need you to tell me goodnight. If you don’t, I’m afraid I’ll kiss you again.”
I grinned because that made me feel all hot and squishy inside. Oliver made me feel desirable and not just for my body. He also told me he loved the way my mind worked. I let go of him, and he dropped his hands in return. “Goodnight, Oliver. I have a feeling I’ll be seeing you in my dreams tonight.”
His eyes blazed at my comment. He slowly shook his head. “Goodnight, Willa. Have sweet dreams and remember the real thing will be so much sweeter.” He kissed my nose and stepped back so I could open my door. I scanned my keycard, turned the handle, and push the door open, tempted to pull him in with me so we could finish what we started. As if sensing this, he backed away.
“No, no,” he said. “That look leads to trouble, and I never want you to regret me. Goodnight, Willa. Close the door.”
I let the door fall closed between us and stood in the entry for a moment. I peeked through the peephole to spy on Oliver. He rested a hand against my door, leaning forward as if he was attempting to pull himself together. I continued to watch him until he pulled away and went into his own room. I heard his door click shut, and I slid down the wall, wondering if tonight was real.
If it was, then I was in trouble.
Oliver
Willa reclined back in a lounge chair beside the pool. She was tucked back in the shade, too engrossed in the book she was reading to pay attention to anything around her. Kids were screaming with excitement while their parents shouted with exasperation. Music was playing while hordes of teenage baseball players kept looking her way, not even pretending they weren’t checking her out. Not that Willa would have noticed their attention.
She wore her sheer white bathing suit cover-up over her black bikini, showing off just enough to let everyone know they wanted to see more. Her large sunglasses made her look like a celebrity in hiding. Her nearly black hair spilled over her shoulders in thick waves.
I didn’t want to smother her, but there was no way she would notice me unless I went over and talked to her. I wasn’t dressed for the pool. I hadn’t been planning to swim, I simply needed to find her, and now that I had, I didn’t know what to do with myself.
She didn’t even look up as I took the seat next to hers. She flipped a page and continued reading. Instead of interrupting her, as I had planned, I reclined back and wait for her to notice me. And after about twenty minutes of waiting, I fell asleep.
“—you been there?”
I woke to her voice. Popping my eyes open, I turned to look at her. “Huh?”
Her book sat on the seat next to her as she turned sideways in her chair to face me. “How long have you been there?”
I rubbed my face, still waking up. “I don’t know. I came out here around eleven. What time is it now?”
She smiled. “It’s one.”
“What you’re saying is I’ve been sitting next to you for two hours, and you are just now noticing me.”
“I’m really focused when I read, and to be fair; you’re a very quiet sleeper.”
The way she smiled at me reminded me of the night before, and I had to sit up in my seat before my pants became too tight. I turned to face her, and she looked me over.
“I see you’re back to wearing your pink shorts,” she said with humor.
I glanced down at my shorts. “I didn’t pack for this trip. I only have so many clothes.” When I looked back up, she had a sexy gleam in her eye, and I asked, “Willa, are you having dirty thoughts?”
She shrugged and gathered her things. As she stood, she asked, “Are you hungry? Do you want to get some lunch?”
I stopped myself from saying something vulgar, and said, “Sure. Where are we going?”
“I still need to try those nachos you were raving about.”
“Oh.” I ran a hand through my hair. “About those nachos.”
She gave me a curious look. “What about them?”
“Truth. I haven’t eaten at the hotel bar.”
“What?” She looked angry. “Why would you lie about something so stupid?”
“Because I had nothing to say, and I needed to say something to you.”
“What if I got the nachos and they were terrible?”
“You couldn’t. I checked. They don’t even have nachos.”
She propped her hand on her hip, trying to show attitude she couldn’t pull off. Shit, she was even sexier when she was indignant. I attempted to hide my grin as I reached out to caress her jaw. She batted my hand away. “That’s the last lie, Oliver.”
Oh shit, she was furious. For someone so petite, she was surprisingly quick. I followed her around the pool. As soon as we were inside, I grabbed her wrist and spun her around. I pinned her to the wall, and she didn’t fight me. She just glared at me with tight lips.
“Willa, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I lied to you before we started telling our ugly truths.”
Her tight lips turned up into a smirk and her hands wrapped around my neck, her fingers splaying in my hair.
“Wait, you’re not mad?”
She shook her head. “I just wanted to see if you’d chase me or let me go. This,” she said, pressing her body into mine, “was a nice surprise.”
I pulled away, forcing her to loosen her grip on me. “I don’t like games, Willa.”
She stepped forward, pushing up to her tiptoes. Her lips brushed mine, before she said, “Oliver, I like you more than I should, and a big part of me wants to avoid you because I don’t know how this could end well. I’m not trying to play games. I’m not. I’m just cynical and—”
I tried to use my words but kissing her took priority. I dipped my head, finding her lips. Her respond
ing moan was a lure, and I was a weak bastard who desperately wanted what she was offering. I wanted to swallow her whole.
She bit my lip, and my fingers gripped her ass. I was about to lift her up against the wall, but someone opened the door, coming in from outside. She broke our kiss, and I had to catch my breath. I didn’t give a shit that people were watching us, but she cared.
“Willa.” I was pleading, fucking pleading as I lowered my head to her shoulder.
“I don’t want to be those people who make out in public,” she said, breathless.
I closed my eyes, hoping for some of the control I had last night. Where had it gone?
“Oliver.” Her voice was a whisper, and I would do anything she said so long as she used that tone.
I pulled back, giving her space to breathe. She seemed to straighten herself out, and then she grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the lobby. I was hoping she would stop at the bank of elevators and lead me up to her room. I stared longingly at the elevator doors as we passed by.
As she pulled me out through the lobby doors, I asked, “Where are we going?”
“We’re going out for lunch.”
“Oh?”
“We are going to sit down in a public place and have a meal and talk. I am not some easy girl, but you’re making me crazy, and I don’t—”
“Willa, you don’t have to explain yourself. I get it. And I’m not some one-night stand.” I said, putting a hand to my hip. “Nuh-uh, not this guy.”
She shoved me, and I lowered my hand to lace it through hers. “Your car or mine?”
“Mine,” she said with gusto.
I thought for sure she would pick my truck, but I had no idea how much she loved her car. She broke from my hand so she could dig through her bag to find her keys. She pulled them out and went to the driver’s side door.
I ducked down into her car, taking the passenger seat. “Huh, it’s spotless. I was expecting it to be as messy as your trunk.”
“My trunk is a fluke,” she justified, “And the makeup on the dresser. I’m actually a bit OCD.”
“I guess I haven’t seen this side of you. How obsessive are we talking? Is this a compulsive cleanliness thing, or do you have to flip the light switches sixteen times before you can sleep? Either is fine. I just want to know what I’m dealing with.”
