by Jacob Chance
“I always practice safe sex.”
I shrug. “Condoms break.”
“I feel like I’m in health class in middle school.”
“I’m merely pointing out facts.”
“There haven’t been as many women as you probably think.”
I snort and then laugh. I can’t help it. I mean, I’ve got the Manfaxes four different women ordered to prove it—four women in a short period of time. God knows how many others there have been. If he’s averaging four in a matter of two months, then he’s averaging twenty-four a year. Yikes.
He looks affronted at my amusement. “I’m serious.” He frowns. “I don’t screw every woman I meet.”
“I never said you did.”
“This is the strangest first date conversation I’ve ever had,” he tells me.
He’s right. It’s beyond odd. We’re talking about subjects I normally don’t discuss with men. I never keep them around to the point where we would. Ever.
What’s so special about him that has me switching things up?
I’m not ready to admit to myself just how much I like Adam, but how much longer can I get away with living in denial?
21
Adam
Roxanne unlocks her front door and throws a come-hither glance back at me. “Would you like to come in?”
One of my favorite things about her is her directness. Rocky doesn’t play games. When she wants something, she goes after it, and right now she wants me. Two hours ago, I jumped at the opportunity to have sex with her, and as much as it damn near killed me not to be able to follow through, I realize now that it was for the best.
“Yes, I would, but I’m going to head home.”
She spins to face me, her brow wrinkling with confusion. “If you want to, then why wouldn’t you?”
Placing my hands on her upper arms, my thumbs caress up and down her biceps. “I don’t want to rush things with you.”
“That’s a cute sentiment, I guess. I’m hardly a virgin. If I didn’t want you, I wouldn’t have invited you inside.”
“I assumed all of that. I still want to take it slow.”
Her forehead creases more. “What’s the point of going slow? We both want the same thing.”
“Maybe I want more than sex from you.”
“You don’t,” she retorts.
“Oh, but I do, Rocky.” My hands skim up her arms to her shoulders and neck, continuing to climb until they’re framing her face. “When we first met, all I could think about was getting in your shorts.” I wiggle my eyebrows and smile. “Since then, we’ve spent a decent amount of time together, and I’ve come to realize how much I like you.”
“You won’t sleep with me because you like me?”
“Let me finish. I like you as a person in addition to liking your body. I enjoy spending time with you, and I don’t want that to end.”
“Why would it, though?”
“You told me yourself that you don’t get involved in relationships, and I’m kind of crazy about you. As much as I want you, I’d rather be your friend and keep you in my life than sleep with you and lose you altogether.”
Her wide, unblinking eyes stare up at me. “You want to be my friend?”
I nod. “Yeah, I do. I’d like to be more, but you don’t want a relationship. And I can’t sleep with you and let you go. Once I had you, you’d be mine, and there’d be no turning back.”
“That’s crazy. How can you say that for sure? Maybe we’d have horrible sex and you’d never want me again.”
Leaning forward, my mouth hovering over hers, my hands slope down her neck. “Your pulse is racing from my touch.” Skimming my nose along the side of Roxanne’s, my lips brush the skin beside her mouth, and her pulse kicks up a notch. It takes every ounce of restraint I possess to keep myself from kissing her. If I put my lips on hers, I won’t stop until I’m buried balls deep inside her sweet pussy. “Do you really doubt that sex between us would be anything but mind blowing?”
“No,” she husks. At least she’s through denying the obvious.
Straightening up, I release my hold on her and take a step backward. “Go inside, so I know you’re safe. I’ll see you on Monday at work.”
She nods, her teeth briefly capturing the corner of her bottom lip. “Thanks for uh… dinner. I had fun.”
I grin, noticing her awkward pause, and wink to reassure her. “I had fun too.”
Opening the door, she silently slides inside. Standing in place, I remain until I hear the sounds of her locks clicking in place. I blow out a long exhale. I’ve got my work cut out for me with Rocky. I want her more than I’ve wanted anyone in the past. I won’t be the one to give in on this. If she wants me, it will have to be on my terms—anything less won’t do.
“Hey, Mom.” I lean over and kiss her cheek. I glance around the kitchen. “Where’s Dad? You lured me over for Sunday dinner by saying he’s making meatballs.”
She laughs. “Don’t worry. He’s already got them slow cooking. If you want to see him, he’s in the garage with Larsen.”
“Okay, thanks. I’ll go see what they’re up to.” Stepping out the side door connected to the garage, I find them both bent over, peering inside the hood of a shiny, black Corvette.
I release a long whistle and both their heads turn my way. “Hey, Dad.”
“Son.” He nods.
“This your new car, bro?”
“Yeah. Dad and I just picked her up.”
I smile. “Dad, I thought maybe you talked Mom into a new ride.”
My father laughs. “That’ll be the day. Your mother already called this a death trap.”
I peer under the hood. The 490 horsepower V-8 engine is clean enough to eat off of. “Damn, she’s a beast.”
“She sure is,” Larsen agrees pridefully.
“Business must be good, then,” I comment.
“I’ve got no complaints,” Lars replies. What he won’t say are details about his work. And he never does. We know he works with computers in some manner, and that’s about all he’ll say.
Rex and I like to speculate about what he really does. My theory is that he’s a hacker for the FBI. And Rex thinks he’s some bigwig for a tech company.
My guess is shit. With his latest purchase, he’s blown my theory straight out of the water. Government employees don’t generally get paid well. They certainly don’t make the kind of money that allows you to purchase a brand new Corvette.
No one in our family ever presses Larsen for information. He’s always been more private than Rex or me. He takes after our oldest brother, Jack. They’re both like vaults when it comes to personal stuff. Except Jack does love to talk about his college-aged son and daughter, Marshall and Maddie. They’re great kids, and he’s ridiculously proud of them. But anything to do with his job or personal life is off-limits.
“So, do I get to take this beauty for a drive?” I throw the question out, already anticipating his refusal.
Larsen grins like I’m crazy. “You can go for a ride with me.”
“Dude, I’m a better driver than you are,” I justify my request.
“So you say, but your driving record says differently,” he mentions.
“That’s only because I’ve had my license longer than you.”
“Give up, I’m not changing my mind. Do you want to take a ride or not?” Larsen asks.
“Let’s go.”
“I’ll be inside. You guys are staying for dinner, right?” Dad questions.
I rub my stomach. “Dumb question, Dad. Of course I’m staying for dinner.”
“Me too,” Lars calls out as he settles into the driver’s seat.
I jump into the passenger seat and close the door as he turns the key in the ignition. He backs us out of the driveway, and I yell, “Show me what this baby can do.”
Larsen zips along the back roads until we can merge onto the highway where he drops the hammer and we really open it up.
I let out an excited shout of
encouragement. “Let’s drive to the cabin.”
“Dude, Mom will be pissed if we don’t go back for dinner.”
“Bro, you’re thirty-two years old and you’re still scared of your mommy?”
“Fuck you. Mom’s scary when she’s angry. Have you ever noticed how crazy her eyes look?”
I chuckle. “Mom’s all bark. She turns on the guilt like it’s her full-time job. You have to ignore her when she acts like that.”
“Her guilt works on me. She makes me squirm like a five-year-old waiting to be punished.”
“You’re the baby of the family. You’ve had it easier than the rest of us.”
“No way. Mom and Dad got stricter with me because of all the shit you and Rex pulled.”
I don’t bother denying my hell-raising behavior. Those were the days.
“Hey, what do you think of Rex and Dani getting married?” Lars asks.
“It’s great, don’t you think?”
He nods, both eyes locked on the long highway in front of us. “She’s been great for him. What happened between you and her friend Roxanne?”
“Nothing really.” My answer is purposely vague.
“Come on. You were sniffing after her like a bloodhound at the cabin. Don’t tell me you got turned down.”
“We went on a date last night.”
“And?” he pushes.
“And it was fun.”
“How much fun are we talking?” he questions, wanting details.
“None of your business.”
“Wait. Do you actually like her?” His eyes jump over to me before reconnecting with the road.
“Yeah, she’s pretty amazing.”
“She seems different than your usual type.”
He’s right, she is. But I want to know what he’s referring to. “How so?” I ask.
“For one, she has brains as well as tits.”
I smile. “She does. She runs a successful business of her own. I enjoy her company.”
“You sound like you’re interested in her.”
“I’m more than interested. I’m already crazy about her,” I confess.
“How’s she feel about you?”
“I’m not sure. I think she likes me more than she wants to. You’ll love this for a strange twist of events—out of the two of us, she’s the one who doesn’t want a relationship.”
“I think she might be my new favorite person,” Larsen replies.
I flip him off. “Fuck off with that.”
“No, really. She’s giving you a taste of your own medicine. I’ve been waiting for this to happen.” He laughs.
“Okay, smartass. It’s time for you to answer some questions. What happened with you and Violet?”
“Nothing really.”
“Cut the vague bullshit, Lars. You guys were all over each other in the back of my truck.”
“I liked her… I still like her. When I had to leave, it was a reminder that my work has to come first. I don’t have time to get seriously involved with anyone.”
“Who said you have to be serious?”
“Violet isn’t a girl I’d do casual with. She’s the marrying kind, and I’m not at the same place in my life. Hell, I’m not sure I’ll ever be.”
“Then you’re smart to keep your distance. At least you realized it before you slept with her.” Larsen’s lips flatten, making me wonder if it’s too late and they already screwed.
“Yeah, you’re right,” he agrees, nodding slowly. “She’ll meet someone else and be happier for it.” It sounds to me like he’s trying to convince himself. “I made the right decision.”
“I’m sure you did,” I reassure. “If not, you’ll figure it out as you go.”
“Yeah, I guess. Relationships are complicated, and I don’t have the time to invest,” he justifies some more.
“Dude, I get it. You don’t need to tell me. Roxanne is the first woman I’ve had serious feelings for since my college girlfriend. And saying that feels ridiculous because I was still a kid when she and I were together.”
“What are you going to do about Roxanne? If she doesn’t want a relationship, you can’t really force her.”
“No, but I can make sure she can’t resist me.”
Larsen’s skeptical gaze briefly connects with mine. “How do you plan on doing that?”
I smile, cracking each of my knuckles in a series of pops. “By being charming and irresistible.”
22
Roxanne
“How have you guys been?” I ask before taking a sip of my piña colada.
“Fantastic,” Dani beams.
Vi groans, like she’s in pain. “I currently hate my job. I’ve been looking for another agency that’s hiring.”
“You didn’t get the promotion you were hoping for?” I question.
“Nope. I didn’t even get a second interview. In fact, what really pissed me off was how they hired from outside the company. My boss swore they would hire from within, but it was empty promises.”
Dani scowls. “That’s bullshit.”
“Tell me about it. I asked my boss why, and he said this new guy was someone they couldn’t miss out on.”
“Well, fuck him. They can’t afford to miss out on you.”
“Yeah, unfortunately he doesn’t see things the same way as you do.”
Flipping my hands over, I raise them palms upward. “I keep telling you to come work for me.”
“Yes, you do, but you’re one of my best friends. I wouldn’t want anything to screw that up.”
“As long as you do your job, everything will be fine,” I reassure her.
“I know, but I work in advertising, and that’s all I know. If I can’t find anything by the new year, I’ll come work for you,” Vi tells me.
“That’s five months away,” Dani reminds her.
“I know, but I’m willing to suck it up for that long if I have to.” Vi shrugs. “It is what it is.” She looks at me. “What’s new with you?”
“Not much.” Shit. I’m not ready to talk about myself. Leaning forward, I catch the straw between my lips and suck down half of my drink. When I straighten back up, both of my friends are watching me closely.
“Spill,” Dani demands.
I sigh, narrowing my eyes at Dani. “Fuck you. Maybe I don’t want to share.”
She sticks her tongue out. “Too bad. Start talking.”
“Did you know Adam is working on a renovation project in my building?”
“Yes, Rex told me.”
“Well, I didn’t know,” Vi chimes in.
“Now you do,” I droll. “Anyway, I’ve been seeing him pretty much every day, and he’s kind of grown on me.”
“And?” Vi presses.
“He asked me on a date, and we went out.”
“What?” Dani shrieks. “I didn’t know about that. Guess he didn’t tell Rex.”
“How was it?” Vi asks.
I think about us jumping on the trampolines, and I smile. “It was a lot of fun. He picked me up on his motorcycle and took me to a trampoline park.” Vi’s expression is comical. She’s less than impressed. “If it makes it any better, we had the place to ourselves.”
“That helps a little.” Vi nods.
“What if I told you we fooled around on one of the trampolines?” Now that I’m deep into this conversation, I’m just going to let all the details hang out for them.
Dani giggles. “How kinky.”
“I don’t know about kinky, but it was spontaneous and hot, for sure.”
Vi props her chin in her hand, all her focus on me. “How far did it go?”
“There was almost penetration,” I admit.
Dani tips her head to the side. “How was there almost penetration? You guys are adults. If you want to screw, you can.”
I explain the skinny jeans fiasco and how the trampoline was unsteady for him to balance on. By the end, they’re both laughing so hard, tears are falling from their eyes.
“Why didn’t y
ou have sex when he dropped you off?” Vi questions.
“I’m not really sure. He mentioned realizing we should wait.”
Danika holds up her hand. “So let me get this straight. Somewhere between the ‘penetration problem’ and bringing you home, he grew a conscience?”
“He said he wants to take things slow. That he likes me too much to sleep with me.”
“Uh… how does that make sense?” Vi looks stumped.
Dani slaps the table. “He knows how you operate with guys. If he sleeps with you, then that’s the end of any chance he has with you.”
“Bingo.” I point at Dani. “That’s what he said.”
“He admitted that to you?” Vi questions.
“Yep. And I haven’t heard from him since. He wasn’t at work today. Maybe he had a change of heart.”
“Rex needed his help on a project. That’s why he wasn’t there.”
Hearing his reason for not being there provides a sense of relief. Inside, my chest blooms with happiness. I instantly feel lighter. I didn’t realize how concerned I was that he was regretting our date. My lips curve upward in a close-lipped, content smile.
“You really like Adam?” Dani looks nonplussed posing the question.
“I can’t believe I’m admitting this, but I like him a lot. He snuck past my defenses, and I’m not even sure how.”
“I understand. Rex did the same thing with me.”
“Larsen did that with me too. He just disappeared afterward,” Violet tells us, looking crestfallen.
Dani frowns. “I’m not sure what’s up with Larsen. He’s not someone who usually does this. I think there must be more to the story. I hope you get the opportunity to find out.”
“You’ll see him at the wedding,” I add.
Violet wrinkles her nose. “I’m not interested in hearing what his problem is. He said one thing and did another. That’s inexcusable as far as I’m concerned. He’s dead to me.”
I snort. “Until he flirts with you again.”
Vi chooses not to reply, rolling her eyes. “Can we discuss the wedding instead?”
Dani nods. “If that’s what you want. I’m always happy to talk about marrying Rex.”
