“You’re very clever,” she said, pulling her phone out again and punching in the code. “Of course I would love the guy point of view. If I’m being unrealistic, or if any of these items are a complete turn-off, it would definitely be best to know before I embarrass myself.”
She held the phone so she could read along with him, figuring she’d jump in with explanations where needed. “You see—”
“Wait. Let me read.”
She stared at the list and tried not to squirm.
Carrie’s Wish List
Dessert comes first.
Top floor is extra fancy.
Sunday drive is sometimes bumpy.
Squeaky clean is best.
Animals are primal.
I’d like to meet Harvey.
Call me Bond. Jane Bond.
She glanced over at Zach, his face an expression of fierce concentration. It reminded her of his intense focus last night and she felt her entire body soften.
Finally, he nodded once and she tucked her phone back in her purse. Then she waited, trying to look cool and composed even if she couldn’t quite meet his eyes. She steeled herself. This was the new sexually empowered Carrie. Of course she could handle talking about her deepest desires with the sexy man she’d known for fourteen whole hours. She risked a look at him.
He stroked his beard thoughtfully, but remained quiet, studying her.
She broke under the pressure of all that thoughtfulness. “Well?”
He met her eyes with a bemused expression. “That is the sweetest most confusing naughty list I’ve ever seen.”
“Have you read others?”
“No.” He stroked her arm, apparently trying to soothe her, but his touch was anything but soothing.
“Maybe it would be less confusing in the right context.” And with two glasses of wine in her.
“You mean in bed?”
“Mmm-hmm.” Don’t feel him up.
His hand trailed lower, encircling her wrist, his thumb brushing across the sensitive underside. “What does top floor mean?”
“Ah, yes, top floor,” she said in a breathy voice, unable to focus because he kept stroking her wrist, which had suddenly become an erogenous zone she had no idea existed.
His voice dropped to a low rumble by her ear, giving her a hot shiver. “Give me a hint. Top floor?”
She stared straight ahead before whispering, “Like I’m on top.” At his silence, she took a deep breath and met his eyes.
His brows scrunched together. “Am I the floor? No, wait. Better question, you’ve never been on top?”
“My ex, Edward, was very traditional. Man on top except for my time of the month when he wanted me to service him in another way.”
His fingers tightened on her wrist. “Which way?”
She lifted one shoulder up and down. “Hand or mouth.”
He dropped her wrist. “Who got to pick?”
“I did, but I knew he liked mouth better so…” She shrugged.
“And you were with this guy how long?”
“Six years.”
“And before him?”
“Just him. My one and only.”
“Carrie.” He dragged out her name. So much wrapped in one word—concern, desire, protection.
“What?” she asked softly.
“You’re practically an innocent. I can’t in good conscience let you run around showing random guys this list.”
She scowled. “You don’t get a say in this! It’s my life and I’m done playing it safe.” She grabbed her purse and glared at him. “And don’t you dare chase me in your sexy tartan boxers or try that primal caveman move because it won’t work this time. You’ve pissed me off and I don’t get pissed off easily. I’m usually very sweet and even-tempered.”
She stood and headed to the door, a little surprised he wasn’t following her. He’d seemed so determined before. She reached the door, hand on the knob, and something made her look over her shoulder. He sat there, studying her like everything she did was fascinating. No one ever looked at her like she was interesting at all. She usually blended into the background. “Well, goodbye.”
“I’m not looking for a relationship.”
She turned to face him fully. “I didn’t ask you for one. Geez, that’s the last thing I want after my toxic pseudo-marriage.” Honestly, she felt nauseous just thinking about being trapped in another relationship. What if she lost herself again?
At his continued silent staring, she added, “Why do you think I picked you up in a bar, bad boy? Hint: it wasn’t for conversation.”
He let out something alarmingly close to a feral growl. She sucked in air, simultaneously wary and turned on.
His gaze remained direct, pinning her in place. “I never stick in one place long,” he practically growled. “I’ll be going overseas the first chance I get.”
She wasn’t sure why he was still talking to her, but politeness had her responding in kind. “Okay. Not that I expected any different from a bad boy. In fact, that was exactly why I was looking for one. Plus the hot alpha sex. So, um, yeah. Thanks for last night.” She lifted a hand in a small wave. “I’ll see you around, probably. I live a few blocks away in the condo complex. I’m not sure if you’re a jogger—”
“Two weeks.” He stood and stalked toward her. “I’ll do your entire list in two weeks. You’ll get it out of your system and stay safe.”
She lifted her chin. “I told you I don’t want to play it safe.”
He reached her, slid her purse off her shoulder, wrapped an arm around her waist, and with a quick tug she was flush against him, his erection pressing into her belly. Dark desire simmered in his eyes, wreaking havoc on her determination to put some distance between them. He dipped his head and kissed her roughly. She moaned and went up on tiptoe, wrapping her arms around his neck while he took and took and she eagerly gave.
He lifted his head, staring at her with so much heat she immediately wanted to strip naked. “Are we in agreement?” he asked in a soft dangerous tone.
She suddenly felt like she was making a deal with the devil. “You play dirty.”
His lips twitched. “I’m glad you think so.”
She loosened her hold around his neck and felt up his sexy chest again. “You think two weeks is long enough to do the whole list?” She and her ex only had sex once a week. She really hoped Zach would be available more frequently than that.
He cupped her jaw, his thumb stroking lightly across her cheek. “Definitely.”
She squeed and threw her arms around his middle in a tight hug. Then she pulled back, beaming and bouncing on the balls of her feet. This was so ideal. He’d help her out and then cut her loose for her next adventure. He hauled her against him and the perfection of it all hit her between the legs with his next devouring kiss. My Lord, he was an amazing kisser.
When he finally let her up for air, she said, “You got a deal, bad boy.”
He gave her a wolfish smile that made heat pool between her legs along with a pleasant throbbing. How could she resist?
She grabbed his ass. “But I reserve the right to skip or repeat certain things depending on how I feel.”
“Sure. We don’t have to go in order.” His voice went gruff and growly. “Bad boys break the rules all the time.”
Her breath caught and her stomach dipped at the thrill of it all. He’d just checked another box on her fantasy alpha-bad-boy list—rule breaker. She kissed his neck and then licked it before shifting to rub her cheek against his beard. Next thing she knew, he was kissing her and guiding her backward until the backs of her knees hit the sofa. He pushed her down and dropped to his knees in front of her, his hands already sliding her dress up to her hips, where he found nothing but skin.
Their gazes locked, both of them breathing harder.
His voice was commanding and deliciously dirty. “Spread your legs, naughty girl. I’m about to eat dessert first.”
She spread her legs and gave a soft cry, sudden
ly thankful she’d found herself a smart bad boy.
~ ~ ~
Carrie practically floated back to the condo complex, which was only three blocks from Zach’s apartment. How convenient. Zach, man, he got the job done. Wring me out, limp noodle, and thank you, sir! She felt euphoric and giddy and tap-dance happy. Immediately following that first mind-blowing orgasm, she’d texted Zach the list. She’d been about to explain each item, but he’d said he liked the challenge of trying to figure it out. Then he tossed her over his shoulder, carried her to his bedroom, and put her on top. Already three things on the list completed!
This two-week fling could not have been more ideal. They’d talked openly and honestly in negotiating the terms. Everything spelled out nice and clear. Plus he’d probably be traveling to wherever he traveled (they’d talked very little once they’d given in to passion) and she was firmly rooted here in Connecticut. In three weeks, as part of the Carrie empowerment plan, she would be going to grad school at the University of Connecticut for her master’s in nursing to become a certified pediatric nurse practitioner. She’d been awarded a two-year teaching assistantship that would pay her tuition. As a nurse practitioner, she’d earn a higher salary and have responsibilities similar to a physician. Edward had discouraged her from graduate school, saying it was a waste of money when they already had his ample salary as a brain surgeon. Not that they were married. They’d lived together and he hadn’t proposed until four days after she’d dumped his sorry ass for cheating on her and, worse, lying about it. Lying was a hot-button issue for her and she had zero tolerance for it in any form.
Edward had made her feel like an oversexed needy woman for years (when she was perfectly normal!) while he’d been hooking up with random women he met through a kinky sex app. When she’d confronted him with her suspicions, he made her feel like she was crazy. Turned it all around like she was the one with the problem. He lied about it right up until she slapped a folder full of evidence in his hands. His excuse? He was keeping her pure as the future mother of his children. Twisted bastard.
That betrayal had cut deep. She’d known him her whole life, their families were close friends, and had looked up to him. He was seven years older, handsome and sophisticated to her young eyes. In retrospect, she’d invested way too much energy trying to keep him happy, walking on eggshells when she did something that displeased him and he’d freeze her out for days on end. Her only rebellion had been attending singles book club meetings with the Happy Endings Book Club before she was actually single. Not that she ever did anything with any of the men she met as a result, mostly the older brothers of fellow book club member Mad Campbell. But now she was so glad she’d taken that step because the women she’d met there had become the closest friends she’d ever had. Like her roommate, Ally Bloom. It had taken a lot for Carrie to regroup in the aftermath of what felt like a divorce and really think about who she was and what she wanted out of life. Just seeing her friends living their own awesome lives had inspired her.
Out of the ashes of her failed relationship, her true passions emerged. Voila! Empowered Carrie. Sexually satisfied Carrie.
She smiled to herself and opened the door of the two-bedroom condo she rented with Ally, who was just about to leave, already in her swimsuit and terrycloth cover-up, beach bag over her shoulder. They both had memberships at Grand Lake in Clover Park, where they had plans to meet some of their friends. It was a lazy Sunday-on-the-beach day, show up when you could.
“How was it?” Ally asked eagerly, her brows shooting up under blond bangs. They looked similar, sometimes people thought they were sisters, close in height, both of them with blond hair and blue eyes, but Ally had an easily excitable, bubbly personality whereas Carrie was normally very down to earth. Her fling with Zach being more the exception than the rule.
Carrie grinned. “Awesome.”
“Yay!” Ally dropped her beach stuff, rushed forward and hugged her. “I’m so happy for you!” Ally knew how much it meant to Carrie to take this step after her ex.
Carrie gave her a squeeze and pulled away. “Thanks. Let me get ready and we’ll drive over to the lake together.”
“Okay, let me just text…” Ally’s thumbs flew in rapid texting probably to their friend Hailey. “Okay.” She looked up, her blue eyes bright and eager. “Tell me everything.”
Carrie laughed and headed for the bedroom.
Ally followed her and sat on Carrie’s bed. “Come on! I have to live vicariously. You know how long it’s been for me. Augh!” She spread her arms and flopped backward on the bed.
Carrie pulled her modest one-piece blue swimsuit from the drawer. “He’s going to do my whole list.”
Ally shot up to a sitting position. “You showed him your list?” she exclaimed. Ally was the one that had helped her with the euphemisms. They’d cracked up, coming up with them over a bottle of wine.
“Yup!”
“And he’s actually following it? Isn’t the point of a bad boy that there are no rules?”
She laughed. “He’ll probably go out of order. Can’t expect that much rule following, right?” Her heart kicked into a rapid cha-cha at what Zach might do next. Her limbs felt light and she would’ve done a happy twirl, but she didn’t want to rub her good fortune in Ally’s face. Her friend was hung up on a guy from college.
“I knew he couldn’t be that bad if he’s close with a cop,” Ally said. The cop, Ethan, had been pretty psyched at the party to have Zach home again.
“He’s not a criminal,” Carrie replied. “He’s more of a badass.”
“What’s he do for work anyway?”
Huh. She hadn’t thought to ask Zach about himself once she started thinking about her wish list. She’d already told him item number one—dessert comes first—would definitely be on the repeat list.
He’d just given her one of his slow sexy smiles. “I know.”
The way she’d grabbed his head and screamed might’ve been a tip-off. She flushed with heat at the memory.
Ally moaned. “You’re thinking about him, aren’t you? And the fantastic sex. Ugh. I’m so jealous. Maybe I need a list.”
Carrie shook her head. “You don’t lack experience like I did. You just need to meet someone.”
Ally sighed. “I already met him and lost him.”
“Oh, Ally, I hope it works out for you at the reunion.” Ally wanted to get back together with her college boyfriend of four years at the reunion next month.
“Me too. We’re both single and we’ve been texting back and forth a lot.” She crossed the fingers of both hands, kicked off her flip-flops, and then lifted her feet to show her toes were crossed too.
Carrie put her swimsuit over her shoulder and crossed her fingers in solidarity. “I’m going to take a quick shower,” she said and slipped into the bathroom.
“I’ll go pack your cooler,” Ally said.
“Thanks!” Her friend knew her fave snacks for the beach.
She stared at the alpha-bad-boy list taped to her bathroom mirror and beamed. Mission accomplished. She carefully peeled it off and tucked it inside the small vanity drawer. No need for the reminder now that she’d found him. She quickly showered and changed into her swimsuit, slathered sunscreen on her fair skin, and grabbed a beach towel from the linen closet. After she packed all her usual beach stuff in a large tote, they drove over in Carrie’s Toyota, Ollie, which hadn’t let her down in ten years of reliable driving. Ally kept pressing her for details on her night with Zach, but for some reason Carrie didn’t want to share. There was something about Zach, maybe it was his quiet cool reserve, but it just didn’t feel right to talk about him like that. She was sure he wasn’t the type to kiss and tell. She finally reported to Ally only the fact that they’d covered three items on her list and it was everything she’d hoped. This seemed to satisfy Ally, who sighed dreamily and told another Dean story. Carrie had never met Dean, but she hoped he was every bit as great as Ally made him out to be.
They found the
ir friends lounging in a group on beach chairs and towels—Hailey, the matchmaking leader of the Happy Endings Book Club, along with Missy, Sabrina, and Lexi. The rest of their tight-knit group was either working or busy with their guys.
Carrie hadn’t even taken her seat in her beach lounger when Ally shared, “Carrie found the man for her sex list.”
“Shh!” Carrie exclaimed, quickly looking around to make sure they weren’t sitting too close to other people, especially families. Coast was clear. They weren’t that close to the water, where most people preferred to hang out.
The women erupted with questions, which Carrie ignored, instead settling into her beach lounger and reaching into her cooler for a drink.
“Carrie!” Sabrina exclaimed, leaning toward her and then shoving her dirty blond hair out of her face. Her volume caught everyone’s attention because Sabrina was normally on the quiet side. “You can’t just drop a bomb like that with no follow-up.” She lowered her voice. “Sex list?”
Carrie offered her unopened drink to Sabrina as a distraction. “Yoo-hoo?”
“Carrie!” the women exclaimed in near unison.
“Stop trying to change the subject,” Sabrina said gently.
Carrie focused on twisting off the cap and taking a long drink, not about to share her wish list again. Now that Zach had it, no one else had to know. Finally, the weight of everyone’s stares prompted her to say, “Ally said it, not me.”
“It was Zach,” Ally shared.
“They know who it was,” Carrie said, pressing the cold drink to her forehead. They’d all been at Zach’s welcome-home party last night, but the guys had monopolized him, so none of her friends knew that much about him. Like her, they only knew Zach was close to the Campbells and hadn’t been home in years on account of being in “no man’s land.” Their friend Mad Campbell was working today or she’d probably have filled them in. Carrie quickly decided the less she knew about Zach, the better. She didn’t want to get too attached.
“How was the beard?” Sabrina asked.
Bad Boy Done Wrong Page 3
