I went through the whole class and had no idea who Reece was and if she was even there. That morning had been a waste of time and I wasn’t sure what my next plan of action should be. I was grabbing my water bottle from the side of the room, getting ready to hit some weights, when I saw my new distraction walk up to me.
“I didn’t mean to point you out like that. Most newbies who come in have no fucking idea what they’re supposed to do and end up being a distraction from what is supposed to be going on. You didn’t seem like a virgin out there, though.” So she isn’t a total bitch. Huh.
She was clearly in shape as I took in her lean stomach and killer legs. She had a feminine build that was clearly still toned and her luscious breasts were on display as she only wore black running shorts and a hot pink, front-zip sports bra. Her shirt was in her hand but she made no move to put it on.
“I understand. I’m just new to this gym. I’m actually in from LA on a business trip and thought I’d find a way to do my workouts while down here. I’m Ryder.”
“Payton. Nice to meet you, Ryder. I’m about to head down to Starbucks for a drink if you want to join me.” Her juicy, pink lips were wrapped around the top to her water bottle as she replenished herself. I blatantly watched before processing that she had asked me out. This is going to be easier than I thought.
I obviously wasn’t going to get to meet Reece, so I figured there was nothing to lose. “Sounds like a plan.”
Payton
Walking into kickboxing with a TDF in front of my normal spot made me grin like the Cheshire cat. “Mr. Tall, Dark, and Fuckable” had a lean waist with basketball shorts hanging low. His loosely fitted black t-shirt showed off his muscular arms. I knew he was new because I would remember that gorgeous face from anywhere. When he turned to see who had walked in the door, I noticed his striking blue eyes that left me stuck in place for a moment.
I wanted to see how he’d react when I called him out for being new, but he didn’t buy into it. I figured he’d take me up on my offer to show him some of the moves just so he could be near my chest but didn’t take that bait, either.
Ryder waited for me while I threw on a t-shirt and grabbed my bag. I really wished I had taken a shower or put on some lip gloss or mascara before my workout, but I figured I was about to sweat my ass off and wasn’t expecting to see such an incredibly hot man while I was there. I had been at that gym long enough to know which guys were married, who was a player, and who to stay away from. I had a few good guy friends from the gym but none of them sparked my interests. I never thought twice about how I looked when I got ready for the gym. It was close to my house and I usually headed straight home afterward, anyway. I made an exception that day by going to Starbucks since it gave me an excuse to stare at him openly as we got to know each other a little.
He let me lead the way out of the gym, saying bye to a few friends who were doing weights by the exit. I liked having a few friends who were always at the gym with me. They motivated me to push myself a little harder. As we walked down the street to the coffee shop, I decided to get to know Ryder a little better. No harm, right?
“Twenty questions. How old are you and where did you grow up?”
“Do you not know the rules of the game? You ask one question, I answer, then I ask you one, but I’ll let it slide this time. Twenty-seven and Los Angeles my whole life,” he said with a chuckle.
“Well, we’re modifying the game. Is that okay with you? I’m twenty-eight and San Diego born and raised. We’re kinda boring.”
“I’m pretty sure the question was what made it boring. Where is the most embarrassing place you’ve had sex?”
I stopped mid-step and glared at him with my mouth open. He was laughing at my expression but did he really just ask that? I should have been appalled but I was slightly relieved. He would be my type of guy.
I wasn’t looking for something serious, and with him being from Los Angeles and only here for a short amount of time, I didn’t have to worry about him wanting more than a sexual relationship. With his body and personality so far, I was completely up for that.
Thinking for a moment, I decided on, “The dugout of a baseball field before a game in high school. I thought I’d get him ready for the game by surprising him with a kiss before he had to meet up with the team in the locker room and ended up with a little more than a kiss. You?”
“In the mosh pit of a Smashing Pumpkins concert. Everyone was hot, grinding up against each other and my girl at the time and I figured why waste the opportunity. We had music in the background that set the tempo, and at the time, I thought I had been pretty discreet about it. Everyone was so close; I wasn’t the only guy with his front pressed up against a girl’s ass. Looking back on it now, it was obvious what we were doing.”
I cheered internally as I realized he was indeed straight. Maybe he was just focused on working out. I ordered my grande chai tea latte and he ordered the same. I was not expecting anything that came out of his mouth. I liked it.
“How long are you in town?”
“I haven’t decided yet. Depends on if I can find what I’m looking for and secure it.”
Well, wasn’t he just a bit of mystery?
“Tell me something that no one else knows about you.” Oh how I hated that question. If I haven’t told ANYONE, there might be a reason!
“Umm, well, I used to think that when people were talking about ‘big egos’ or ‘egos’ in general, that they were…well, talking about penises. I thought that was its name and always acted like I didn’t know what they were talking about and tuned out of the conversation.” That wasn’t so hard to say. Until I looked up and saw Ryder covering his face to hold back the laughter. Yep, I think I made the right decision in not talking about it to anyone.
“No shit! How long did it take you to figure out that little boys weren’t trying to show you their goods? What if they were talking about a girl and her…ego?” He was still fucking laughing.
What a dick.
“That was the confusing part to me. I just kinda assumed they were talking about our hoo hoo’s. Yes, I called them hoo hoo’s when I was younger, so shut it. And I was, like, nine or ten when I finally figured it out.”
“I was not expecting that to be what you confessed to not telling anyone but I understand why. It’s okay, the first time I got a stiffy, I thought it was an accomplishment, so I tried over and over to get it to happen again. I was, like, six and thought I was something special. I remember my mom telling me to not bring it up to people again and my dad high-fived me. I was in hysterics because when my mom said ‘not to bring it up again’ I thought she meant my dick. Because she told me that, I may have ‘brought it up’ a few too many times and my dad finally had to have a talk with me about a man’s parts.”
“That’s pretty funny! Kids get those that young? I never had brothers around so I guess I never had to hear about that.” He was pretty damn cute.
Over the next two hours, and another drink for each of us, I felt like I had known Ryder for weeks or months. He was kind—flirtatious with a hint of mystery that kept me wanting more.
Something about him made me want to let my guard down. He was easy on the eyes but even easier to talk to. I was so used to letting people know only the basics about me and nothing deeper that I was pleasantly confused by my actions. I briefly wondered if it was because he was still only in town for a short period of time that I felt so at ease. Nothing would come of our lunch date so why not have some fun with it? Plus, if nothing else, I bet he was a rock star in bed.
He seemed to be contemplating something but I couldn’t figure out what that might be so I decided to take a chance, “What are you thinking right now?”
“Is that your next question?”
“I guess it is...”
“I was trying to think of the best way to ask you to dinner and if tonight was too soon to see each other again.” He said that as if he couldn’t get it out of his mouth fast enough. Was he nerv
ous?
I had to at least act like I didn’t want to jump his bones right then. Ah hell, I never seemed to play the innocent girl very well, so why not go with what I know?
“I’d love to go to dinner with you, although I didn’t realize our time right now was done. Want to head down to the beach and talk a little more?” He stared at me for what seemed like a full minute with almost sadness in his eyes. What is going on in his head right now?
I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw his face change to a dimple showing grin. I wanted to ask why he froze when I asked about going down to the beach but thought better of it.
Chapter 3
Ryder
The chick had some balls. We had just met, yet it seemed like we had known each other forever. It blew my mind that she wanted to continue our time together. Most girls would play hard to get and go to dinner then wait a few days before seeing each other again. It was a refreshing change to feel so carefree. She was fun and flirty without being obnoxious. I couldn’t help but let my guard down with her.
While strolling down to the beach, I found out that she wrote children’s books and was happily single. We talked about favorite foods, movies, and worst date experiences.
I assumed we would just walk along the beach and maybe get our feet wet. I hadn’t been to the beach in almost a year, but was surprised when I didn’t feel the urge to leave, or be alone for a few minutes in the sand.
I noticed that Payton was taking off her shoes while walking down to the sand so I followed suit. When she started taking off her shirt, I stopped dead in my tracks and just watched the sight before me. I really need to stop staring. I’m becoming a borderline creeper. When she turned and motioned me forward with her finger, I moved with a start toward her.
Please don’t be a tease, please don’t be a tease!
“Catch me if you can!!” she screamed as she raced into the water. Who is this chick and where has she been all my damn life? I didn’t want to leave her hanging but felt a sense of dread bubble up in my stomach and I wasn’t sure I could go out there with her. She would think I was a pussy if I don’t follow her in. The day was not what I had envisioned at all, but I decided I needed to go with the punches when it came to her.
I stripped down to my sliders and jumped in to get to her. Shit fuck that is cold! She was waiting for me about twenty feet out with the most devious smile I’d ever seen. Still nervous, I headed out further in the water and hoped she didn’t want to go much further. I would draw the line if we got out to the area surfers would be.
“Is this what you expected when you agreed to coffee with me?”
“I have a feeling this may be the best business trip I’ve ever been on, hands down.” My balls were so fucking cold right then and I craved having her warm me up. She was looking at me with want and desire in her eyes. I wanted Payton and I didn’t want to wait.
We floated together in the water for what seemed like hours, just grasping to hold the other close. Words weren’t needed between us. I felt her pebbled nipples up against my chest and slid her down just a tad so she could barely feel my excitement.
I pulled her closer to me and laid a kiss on her neck. Atta boy, test her out and see if she’s on the same page. As I pulled back, she ground into me with that devious smirk I’d grown accustomed to.
“Kiss me. Now. Please.” Could she be any sexier? She was demanding yet submissive. So damn adorable.
Our kiss was slow at first, as if figuring out the other’s wants and needs. With her legs wrapped around my waist, there was no doubt she didn’t realize how much I wanted her. Hell, even with the freezing water I had a raging hard on. She messed with my hair and pulled herself tighter to me.
“You, my dear, are driving me crazy.” She kept a slow, steady rhythm with her hips, causing me to let out a deep groan. Fuck, she felt good.
That kind of thing was supposed to happen after I had found Reece and signed her, but I guess things could be rearranged. I was not letting Payton go after one night. There were too many things I wanted to do with her.
She seemed so innocent with her children’s books and being close to me would only damage her. Inevitably, she would find out what kind of dick I am and run as far away as her long, toned legs would take her. Fuck, a gorgeous woman was pressed up against me, practically fucking me with her eyes, and I was already thinking about her leaving.
“You like it. I can see it in your crystal blue eyes. You want me but you’re trying to fight it. Let go and just feel,” she said with such confidence, pulling me out of my own thoughts.
“You think you know me so well, huh? When I take you, I am going to make you scream so loud the neighbors will know my name.”
Payton
I know. I’m a whore face but Ryder was hot, so it cancelled the whore-ness out, right? After swimming…err…floating together for a while, we both realized it was butt-ass cold and we should have never decided to go into the water. Oh well, it was still totally worth it.
I still couldn’t figure out why I felt so drawn to him. All my instincts and rules for talking to men were thrown in the trash when I met Ryder. He made me feel like a girl who just got asked to prom by the quarterback. Feeling his rock hard abs against my softness and his arousal grinding against me in the water was enough to make me wet, and not from the ocean.
We headed back up to the beach to grab our randomly dispersed clothes and I noticed a new text message.
Ryan: Can’t wait to see you tonight. Thanks for agreeing to meet with me after all these years.
Fuck my life. I mean, really, I agreed to meet up with Ryan a week ago and it was only to get him to stop bugging me. He was determined to prove that he was ‘the one that got away’ and how he hasn’t stopped thinking about me since we broke up, wait for it, six years ago. He was the damn reason I stopped seeing men from San Diego! Who in their right mind would wait that long and still think they found their soul mate?
I am pretty sure he had a head injury or something since we broke up because the relationship I remember was lackluster at best. I had never let him in like a good girlfriend would and never let myself be truly invested in the relationship. We both ended up cheating on each other. I was young and dumb, and I can’t even say it was fun while it lasted.
Ryan had convinced me that he had grown up, figured himself out, and wanted to finally settle down. I think he said that thinking I would jump in delight that he wanted to settle down, but he was sadly mistaken. I sure as hell hoped he didn’t assume I wanted the same thing.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Ryder said, successfully pulling me out of my memories.
“You’re going to hate me.”
“Already? What have you done in the past two minutes that would be enough to make me hate you?” He seemed a little fearful of what my answer might be. I could make up a lie about where I was going. Wait, it doesn’t matter if he knows I’m going on a date because we are just a fling, and I met him less than twelve hours ago!
“Well I, uhh, forgot I already have a date tonight. Don’t worry, though, I don’t even like him and it was something that I agreed to a week ago just so I could get him to leave me alone.” Good job, Payton, you really sounded smooth there.
“So you’re going on a date with him so that you don’t have to see him again? Now it all makes sense. Does he get a happy ending with that package?” He seemed a little bit upset but was taking it well, I guess.
He started walking back toward the gym without saying another word. It didn’t matter if I had a date with someone that night. He should know we were a fling. Temporary. It was what I need to keep reminding myself—he was temporary.
Chapter 4
Ryder
I needed to focus on what I went there to do. I could have my fun with women after I secured Reece. Reece…why did she have to be so damn stubborn? I decided to send her another email letting her know I was in town and wanting to meet with her. Her response?
Mr. Strom,
I love your persistence. Do you spend this much time with all of your perspective authors or just the female ones? Thank you for coming all the way down from Los Angeles to San Diego, the trip must have been exhausting. I assumed that my lack of response to your past emails would have pushed you onto your next conquest. I never planned on My Lips Are Sealed to be such a hit and am humbled by your interest in my story but feel like I have reached my goal in getting my story out there and do not need your publishing agency at this time.
Sinfully,
Reece Edwards
Bitch.
Why couldn’t she just meet with me for one hour? Was that so hard to do? I was in her city and was practically begging to meet her and she didn’t seem to care. I wasn’t leaving San Diego until I had signed Reece.
Ms. Edwards,
I don’t mind being exhausted as long as my reward is securing you with my agency. My ability to satisfy my authors’ wants and needs is something I work hard to achieve. When we meet, I can go over your terms, benefits, and any questions you might have. Having me behind you will make everything worth it.
Until Then,
R. Strom
As I lay waiting for her response, I decided to text Payton to see how her non-date/date was going.
Me: I hope you remembered to shave. Wouldn’t want to disappoint
Payton: Fuck you…. I wax
Sinfully Page 3
