by Penny Ward
I shake my head, “You have a great body, I, however, can lose a few pounds.”
“Stop it, you don’t need to lose anything. You’re a size 6, you have a sexy butt, a flat stomach, and C cups. What do you have to complain about? Your life is perfect.”
“My life is not perfect. You’re slender, a size two, and you have a four pack. A fucking four pack!”
“I have to work out! If I gain weight it all goes to my midsection, you don’t have that problem. Now stop complaining and grab your purse.”
I walk out behind my friend, carrying my clutch purse while wearing silver heels, and a tight blue dress. She is wearing a black dress that stops mid-thigh with an exposed back.
She looks fantastic because she can wear anything.
She could make an old pair of overalls look sexy.
I, on the other hand, have to be very careful or I will look terrible.
But I can never say that out loud or she’ll jump all over me.
She’s a great friend, so great that she doesn’t like me saying anything negative about myself, even when it’s true.
When we step on the roof of the hotel near my apartment, I want to go home.
The rooftop bar is filled with high rollers, and I don’t wish to be amongst the cultured.
I want to be in a cheap bar with cheap drinks.
I want it to be dark and I want to drink until my liver begs for mercy.
“Can we go somewhere else?” I ask.
“No, this is where you need to be.”
“Oh my, you act like you don’t realize that I just got dumped yesterday. On my birthday!”
“That was yesterday and it’s the best gift that you could have ever gotten. For the same reasons that you just stated, you need to be out with me.” she grabs my hand and pulls me to the bar.
I grip the bar as if it’s my lifeline, which makes Rebecca laugh at me.
“Tonight you’re going to have some fun. Jason doesn’t deserve any more of your tears!”
Her attention is pulled away from me as she spots a dangerously handsome man sitting elegantly on a lounge chair.
He doesn’t look much older than us, but it’s clear that he has money and he’s very mature.
His presence commands attention.
He wears a pair of gray slacks and a crisp white shirt, it was simple but it is tailored to perfection. His head of black hair practically begs to be grabbed, but you wouldn’t dare touch it without permission. His face, although handsome, says that he’s a no nonsense man. His beautiful angular face should be plastered on a billboard.
Maybe he’s a model. He does look very comfortable in that pose.
“So you like what you see too?” Angela grins.
I don’t reply as I stare in awe.
“Good. Because that’s the man you’re going to sleep with tonight.”
Chapter 3
“Are you out of your mind? Did you hire me an escort?” I ask in shock.
“Why in the hell would you think that?” she laughs.
“You said that I’m going to sleep with him. You sound really sure of it too.”
She shakes her head, “No, you’re going to take your cute ass over there and get him yourself, the old fashioned way.”
Am I missing something here?
She wants me to pick up a random man at a bar?
My heart beats faster as I think of a way to tell Angela that there’s no way I’m giving in to demands. I’m not some sex demon that picks up men at bars and has her way with them.
I have never had a one-night stand… actually, Jason is the only man I have ever had and he was a very selfish lover.
It was done his way and usually over after a couple of minutes. Foreplay was a luxury he couldn’t afford to give me.
“He is way out of my league.”
“He is not!” Angela snaps back. “You are beautiful. If anything you are too good for him!”
Next to him, I would feel very inadequate.
Hell, I couldn’t even keep loser Jason from leaving me. Why would that beautiful man give me the time of day?
“Why are you still here? You should be sitting next to him, talking to him. The seat next to him is open,” Angela says.
I give her the stare of death. “Stop it. If we’re here to have fun - fine but I’m not here to whore myself out.”
“It’s not whoring yourself out. It’s enjoying the company of an excellent specimen. You deserve a good time and he looks like the kind of man that will give you a good time all night long...”
Angela licks her lips.
“Eww, you’re so disgusting.”
“But you love me.”
“I’ve never had a one night stand before, I wouldn’t know what to do at all.”
“Really?”
“No… not like that. I know how that works.”
“It’s not a difficult concept, Rebecca. You have an incredible night of sex, he leaves, and you never call him again. It’s that easy.”
“Yes, it’s easy, but I’m not easy.”
“Tonight isn’t about morals Rebecca - it’s about fun!”
“I don’t need that kind of fun in my life right now. I think I’ll be fine holding on to this bar.”
“You can’t stand here forever. Now that Jason is gone, it is time to enjoy yourself. Be a little bit wild. Do something crazy!”
“Being single is crazy enough for me, thanks.”
“You're such a stick in the mud, you’re going to waste all of my hard work.” She pouts.
“What hard work have you done?”
“Do you know how difficult it is to deal with you moping around? Also, I did a kick ass job dressing you today and a wonderful job on your hair and makeup.”
“Yeah, remind me to tip you.”
“Okay, you don’t have to sleep with him,” Angela concedes, “Just talk to him. There’s no harm in getting to know someone. It’s time for you to get a taste of just how hot you are.”
“Why can’t you pick someone else for me to talk to?” I whine. “Like that man over there. He’s kind of cute.”
“You mean the man with the elephant-sized nose and the belly bulge?”
“He does not have a belly bulge! And I think his nose fits him.”
“He’s ugly and he looks awkward. You choose him because you know he’ll be impressed with you.”
“I did not.”
“You did too.”
I take a moment to stew on what she said and I realize that she’s correct.
But what does it matter?
Yes, I chose the elephant nosed man because he has been staring at me since I walked through the door and I would make his day if I returned even one of his long glances.
He is safe.
And there isn’t anything wrong with safe. Everyone has their preference, and safe happens to be mine.
I like safe.
“Okay, I picked him because I know that he already likes me,” I admit. “But why did you have to choose that man?”
“I chose him because he’s without a doubt the hottest guy in here. You need to see that you can get him. Maybe when you see how much he likes you, you’ll know how amazing you are. You sell yourself short Rebecca, you have to stop doing that.”
Her words melt my reservations, although I’m not going to tell her that.
Does she really think a man like that would want me?
If so, then I’m genuinely flattered, but I think her pride is misplaced. She’s my best friend - she’s supposed to believe I'm amazing. She thinks I’m great, in the same way that my mother thinks I’m great. I can’t count on her for an objective opinion.
But what if she was right?
What if that man liked me back?
I guess I would never know unless I tried, “Screw it, I’m going to speak to him.”
“Whoo hoo! Go on over.”
My heart pounds as I begin to think about going over to him.
He is so handsome.<
br />
So dashing.
Way out of my league.
“I’ll go over after a few drinks.”
“No. Go now.”
“Why can’t I have a few drinks first?”
“Men like that can’t wait for ever. You have to take your opportunities. Your time is now.”
“Thanks for the pep talk, coach, but I need a few drinks. I deserve a drink of wine after the week I’ve had. Hell, I deserve a whole bottle.”
“But he may be gone after a few drinks.”
“Then that’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
Chapter 4
Now it’s an hour and a half later and I haven’t taken my eyes off of the beautiful man the entire time. I’m not staring at him like a creeper, but I’m making sure he doesn’t go anywhere.
That does sound kind of creepy when I say it that way.
Every now and then our eyes lock and I break the eye contact and return my attention to Angela and the apple martinis that I’ve been enjoying.
He doesn’t seem so intimidating now. I can’t figure out why I was so afraid to approach him, it’s most likely the liquid courage, but it’s exactly what I need.
“Stop staring and take your ass over there,” Angela demands, breaking into my thoughts.
“Okay, don’t rush me. Perfection takes time.”
“Then you’re absolutely perfect. Less talking and more walking.” She picks my cocktail glass up, places it in my hand, and shoos me off.
“If we weren’t friends, I would be offended right now.”
She slaps my ass. “We’re best friends.”
I saunter over to Mr. Perfect, at least I think I’m sauntering.
I could look like a complete idiot, but that’s okay, I have his attention. I sit next to him on the lounge and place my drink on the table.
“Hi.” I smile. “I’m Rebecca.”
Shit.
I never thought that part through.
Should I have given him my real name?
I should have said my name was something sexy like Jessica, Roxxie, or Sasha. My name is so boring and bland. I refuse to respond to anyone that calls me Becky. That’s an airhead name and I'm far from it. I’m not a Becky and I don’t behave like a Becky. Actually, right now, I look and I’m acting exactly like one. I giggle at the thought.
“What’s so funny?” he asks in an amused tone. “I’m Christopher.”
“Nothing is funny, I guess. You’ll have to excuse me, I’m feeling exceptionally silly tonight.”
“It’s okay, we’re all here to have a good time.”
His eyes are gorgeous and I can’t help but stare at them.
They’re green, no, yellow and they gradually turn blue around the edges. Suddenly unable to display tact I blurt out, “You have amazing eyes, Christopher.”
He smiles, showing off his perfect pearly whites. They’re beautiful. I’ve never been into the whole vampire thing, but I want him to take a huge bite out of my neck. I would willingly hand myself over to him, he wouldn’t need to coax me at all.
“Are you enjoying yourself this evening?” he asks. “I see that you came with a friend.”
His voice, his face, his muscular body that is pressed against the fabric of his clothes, and his confidence are sending my hormones into overdrive.
He’s not even doing it on purpose.
The way that his eyes scan my body, I know he wants me.
He wants me.
I can’t believe it.
So I decide to throw caution to the wind, I don’t have anything to lose. The worst thing that he can say is no, and if he says no, then I will walk away and never look back, but I have to try.
“Do you want to come home with me?”
He coughs. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“Do you want to come home with me?” I ask again, this time not as confident as before.
“To do what?” he asks with a grin.
“To enjoy one another’s company, of course.”
“So just like that? No strings?”
“Nope, no strings attached. Just sex and that’s it.”
“You’re really forward aren’t you?” he laughs, “It’s not every day that I get propositioned like this.”
“Bullshit, I’m sure that women are throwing themselves at you all the time.”
He slightly frowns. “No not really. Some people don’t think that I’m approachable.”
“I didn’t think you were approachable when I saw you at first.”
“So what changed your mind?”
“Three drinks,” I laugh. “Now are you coming with me or not?”
“I’m not one to talk myself out of a good time.”
I smile and grab his hand with confidence.
Chapter 5
When we enter my apartment, Christopher doesn’t try to fill in the silence.
I usually appreciate that but his voice is so deep and sensual, I could listen to it all night.
I stand in the lounge room of my apartment awkwardly.
I have him in my house now, but I don’t know what to do.
“You don’t usually do this, do you?”
I look at him suspiciously. “What makes you so sure? I picked you up, didn’t I?”
He laughs, “Yes you did, but every now and then a hint of the person that you really are shines through.”
“You’re right, but it doesn’t matter. Tonight, I want what I want. And you are what I want.”
Oh wow.
I have never been so confident and demanding…
But it feels so powerful stating exactly what I want.
“Then lead me to your room and we can get this party started.” He smiles.
I walk down the hall and he follows me. Oh no – I didn’t even clean my room. There is a pile of clothes on my bed - I had no idea that I would be bringing back company.
“Wait here,” I demand of him.
He waits in the hallway while I franticly throw the clothes into my cupboard.
“Sorry,” I say as I reopen my bedroom door, embarrassed, “I wasn’t expecting to bring someone back here.”
As I led him into the room, my cheeks begin to flush as I can feel his presence behind me.
I turn around and he closes the space between us.
He stares at me for a while before moving in to kiss me.
Oh…
He tastes of dark liquor, I have no idea what kind, but he is intoxicating. I moan against his demanding lips. His hands explore my body without limitation; he isn’t timid while touching me, and it sets my body on fire.
Jason never touched me like this.
Nobody has ever touched me like this.
I want more.
I step closer, so that there isn’t any more space between us and wrap my arms around his shoulders, deepening our kiss.
His tongue traces my mouth before it intertwines with my own.
Yes…
He kisses me with a passion that I’ve never experienced before. It’s something that I’ve read about and have seen in the movies, but no one has ever kissed me like this. He doesn’t even know me, but he’s treating me like I’m the only woman in his world.
For tonight, I want to pretend.
I’m greeted by the hard bulge that’s forming between us. He rubs against me and my eyes widen because he has a lot to work with. Jason fell short in that area too.
Now that I’m thinking about it, Jason doesn’t have a lot of redeeming qualities.
Stop!
I have to stop thinking about Jason. My time is right now.
I reach between Christopher and cup him through his pants.
He gives a slight groan as I gently massage his bulge. I can feel the blood surging to his cock and he’s getting harder with each passing second.
A hiss escapes from his lips and I feel….powerful!
Me!
I’m the one getting all of these amazing reactions from one of the hottest men I’ve ever
seen.
Tomorrow I’m going to have to toast myself, who cares if it’s Sunday!
His kisses move to my ear and he whispers, “You’re so fucking beautiful.”
I shudder against him as he kisses across my shoulder, laying me down on my laundry free bed as he tugs my dress over my head, and throws it onto the floor.
I feel exposed and vulnerable, but it is difficult to feel insecure when he is looking at me like he’s ready to consume me.
The look that he gave me at the bar is the same look that’s returned to his face now.
It’s downright sexy.
He takes a moment to admire my lacy and ridiculously expensive bra pushing together my ample cleavage.
He lets out a rush of air from his cheek and grins.
“Beautiful…” he groans.
My responding giggle quickly turns into a moan as he kisses the exposed flesh. He reaches behind me to unclasp my bra and throws it over towards my dress.
Topless, I feel exposed and vulnerable… but I like it.
Here, I feel safe.
His hands mimic my actions from earlier, he cups my center in his large and massages with his palm. I push against his hand because I love the friction it provides.
“You’re so responsive,” he mutters.
“No one wants to sleep with a bore,” I say, repeating the words that Jason would tell me all the time.
The only difference is that this time, I’m not faking it.
“You’re far from it.”
His mouth finds my nipple and he begins a slow and sensual assault.
Oh…
His tongue flicks quickly over it as he holds it in place with his teeth.
Each flick of his warm velvet tongue goes directly to my pleasure center. He pulls my panties down over my leg, and he throws them into the growing pile.
I’m naked.
I’m his.
His fingers gently probe me before he dips his middle finger inside of my wet and waiting pussy.
Just one finger has me writhing in pleasure.
He gives it a slight wiggle and laughs lightly as I moan uncontrollably.
“You like that?” He asks in a gruff voice that catches me off guard.
He’s not the same mild-mannered and slightly intimidating man that I’d met.
