by Josephs, Mia
It’s not like they’re difficult hoops. I didn’t set fire to them. I’m a fun person when I want to be. It’s not torture to go through two dates before I put out. “Yes.”
“But, you’re still single.”
Something flames in my chest, filling my neck and cheeks to the brim. “What are you saying?”
He shrugs, then starts picking at a cuticle.
“You think I should be spreading my legs date one, huh?” Typical male psyche. I can’t believe I’m even talking about this with him.
“Just the opposite actually.” He works on the cuticle on his thumb. “I don’t think any date should have the pressure of sex over it. First, third, tenth, fortieth… none of ‘em. That part should be natural. Never planned. Makes it awkward. And I bet if you do see a guy after that third date, or after ‘level three’”—he does the air-quote thing—“it’s for a quickie because he’s short on time. I dare you to tell me I’m wrong.”
Is that why sex is so awkward for me? Is that why they all run after I put out? No way am I letting him know that. I compose my expression because I’m pretty sure my face totally agreed with him.
He smirks, and damn it, maybe I wasn’t quick enough on hiding my initial reaction.
“Sometimes, if you feel the pressure, it’s good to… you know... spend some time alone before the date so you’re not amped up the entire time. Works wonders.” He stops picking his nails and shrugs again. “Just a suggestion.”
“I take it you’ll be getting off early today, then.” Oh crap, that came out wrong. Way wrong. His lips pop open in a half smile like he can’t believe that came out of my mouth. I slam my hands over my flamed face. “I meant work. You’ll be getting off work early. Should I plan on rescheduling something or do we have any other appointments I need to move, or do you expect me to run them on my own or…or…um…”
He laughs, leaning back in his chair. I love that he gets a kick out of this. Not. I want to bolt from this room.
“We’re good on this afternoon. I’ll be here till six. If I need to get off between now and then, I’m not scheduling it,” he teases.
“Okay,” I say through my fingers. Then as if things couldn’t get worse, my stomach rumbles like a level five earthquake. How attractive.
“I need to eat something.” I fumble for my iPad and stick it in my bag.
“Even your stomach has an alarm.”
I laugh, because that actually was funny and it’s driving us away from the love life topic. He looks surprised, and I wonder if I’ve laughed a real laugh around him yet. Probably not. I make a point to do it more, because he already looks far more comfortable around me, and we have to work together. I will not screw it up by being a tightass all the time. Only some of the time.
“Anything good within walking distance?” I ask, swinging my bag over my shoulder and standing. He gets up with me.
“Yeah. There’s a Baja Fresh around the corner. I’ll head there with you, if you don’t mind.”
Why the hell not? “Sure.”
He opens the door for me, and he gets close enough I smell his aftershave. Hmm… not bad. Smells sort of edible. And he looks good in that jacket. If it weren’t for that darn button at the top, he’d be in perfect interview attire.
“One thing though…” he says, stopping me lightly by the elbow. “No iPad or phone during lunch hour. It’s not paid, so don’t work.”
Am I that predictable? My hands already want to go for my schedule and I just put it away.
“Okay… if you let me do one thing.” I reach up to his tie and tighten the sucker. It pushes that top button closed. Even though it’s not done up properly, it already looks a million times more professional. “There. That was driving me crazy.” I smooth the front of the tie down and smile, satisfied with my work. He grimaces like a ten-year-old whose mom is making him go to church.
I turn on my heel and walk in front of him even though I have no clue where I’m going. When I glance back, he’s loosening his tie.
***
Always wear jeans on date number two. I own one pair, and this is the only occasion I wear them. They’re comfortable, casual, and make my ass look like a rockstar.
I examine myself in the mirror again, bending over and doing several different poses like I’m having fun, so I make sure my hips move in the right place and my body language says, “Hey, I’m into you. Let’s make a date three after this.”
And Nate will totally ask me on date number three. I kick ass at date number two.
Whoa, not Nate… Nick. N names getting all swapped in my brain.
My doorbell buzzes, and I wipe the corners of my mouth to get rid of excessive gloss and put on my date smile. 6:53. The guy is early. Perfection.
I open the door, and a wave of AXE cologne smacks me in the face. I’ll probably get used to it as the night goes on. Good thing we’ll be out in the fresh air.
Nick smiles, gives me a good up and down and smiles bigger. Damn, I’m awesome, because I haven’t even said anything yet and I’m nailing this.
And he looks awesome too. Casual tee covered with a grey pullover. Loose jeans, with no holes and clean walking shoes. His blond hair is spiked and gelled, looking like he just stepped out of a salon catalog. Someone prepares for a date the right way. I give him a quick hug, loving the feel of the fabric on his pullover.
“Hey,” he says, and I step back to let him in.
“Let me grab my purse. I’ll be right back.” This is also date two protocol. You answer the door, and then make them wait while you retrieve something. That way they can see you wiggle your hips as you walk away, and you get a feel for how they respect your place while you’re not looking.
I give myself a speed pep talk in my room before heading back out, purse over my shoulder. Nick is looking at the pictures on my wall, and I smile because that’s exactly what I wanted to walk back to.
“That’s my kitty, Snickers.” I point at the middle picture on my bookshelf. “He’s around here somewhere. You’re not allergic, are you?”
“Nope.”
“Good.” Extra good. Nothing could break the mood more than a runny nose and watery eyes when I’m on date three. Then I wonder, maybe date three won’t equal sex anymore. Nate had a point I guess, to let things go naturally. But I think if I satisfy myself before the date, the sex could be even more awkward. Then my mind goes to Nate and his date tonight and what he’s probably doing right now to release the pressure, and I want to smack my head to knock those thoughts right out of there.
“Should we head out?” he asks, eyes flicking over me, then they dart to the hallway that leads to my room. No, no, no. Fun date on date number two. I prepared for that, so that’s what’s going to happen.
I put on a playful grin and grab his arm. “You are going to get your ass kicked.”
He laughs, but I can’t help but notice the slight disappointment that we aren’t staying at my place. Well, play your cards right, buddy, and you’ll see more of my place next time.
***
Sixth frame and tenth gutter ball. I know I talk a big game, but those balls are so heavy! How am I supposed to roll an eight pound giant ball with these scrawny arms? The Wii didn’t give me that problem.
“I want the bumpers.” I fake pout at Nick, who shakes his head as my pins reset. Why they need to reset when I didn’t hit a single one, I have no idea.
“I already asked. They said only kids under twelve get them.”
“Well, that’s just mean.”
I pull my bright green ball up to my chest and frown at the pins. Maybe I should aim for the gutter. The ball will magically turn and hit something.
Warm hands hit my hips, and goose bumps shoot up my neck as he talks in my ear. I love date number two.
“Don’t look at the pins. Look at the arrows on the floor instead.”
There are arrows on the floor? I flick my gaze to the lane, and would you look at that? He’s right.
“Okay…?”
“Just roll it down along that middle arrow.”
I can do that. “Okay,” I say with more confidence. I set my jaw, and he lets go of my hips. Bending at the waist, I set the ball on the floor, next to the middle dot. I open my legs, and I wiggle my butt a bit because I know he’s watching, then I push that eight pounder as hard as I can down that middle arrow.
I swear I thought I launched it like a rocket, but it takes twelve and a half seconds to finally reach the very right side of the set of pins. They sort of sway and wiggle, but I manage to tip one enough it knocks over two more.
“Yay! I got three!” I fist pump the air and turn around, getting my victory moves on. Seriously, that was my fourth point this whole game, but it wasn’t a gutter ball! And I’m pretty sure I looked damn cute doing it because Nick picks me up by my waist and twirls me around as if I got a strike.
“Those pins didn’t know what was coming,” I say when he puts me down. I point at the pins, motioning back to my eyes. “Better watch out. Brooke is getting her bowl on.”
It’s Nick’s turn, and I give him a playful smack on the ass when he steps up. His score is already past the one-hundreds, but I’m proud of the little four by my name.
We end the game at Nick: one-sixty-two, Brooke: eleven. I broke into double digits. And Nick hasn’t let go of my waist since we left the bowling alley. I call that a successful night. Chemistry is flying off us. Definitely leveling him up.
He walks me to my apartment, and I stand outside my door because this is not date three, it’s date two, and it went awesome and perfect. See, my method is just fine, thank you.
“This was fun.” I give him a big smile, because it was fun. “Next time, we should play on my Wii. I guarantee I’m much better on that.” Even though I haven’t unpacked it since I left my last place a year ago.
“That sounds like a good plan.” He leans in, and I’m so glad I prepared my gloss in the bathroom at the alley because licking your lips is a sign you give on the third date. “You free tomorrow?”
Yes, but that’s not what I say. “I’ll have to look at my work schedule. It should be open, but I want to make sure.”
“Okay.”
A tiny beat of awkward silence wraps around us, but I break it with the key fumble in the door. “Great. I’ll give you a call tomorrow.”
His hand settles on mine, and I look up at his closing in lips. Quickly going through my second date kiss protocol in my head, because I don’t have much time, I open my mouth slightly so he knows I’m good with his tongue if that’s his style.
His kiss is sweet, nice, sort of passionate with a little bit of tongue, but not like he’s going to shove me into my apartment. He knows he’s going to walk away and we’ll end the night here. Good boy. He’ll be rewarded for it tomorrow.
We part, saying quiet goodbyes, and the minute I shut my door, I slide down the back of it with a knocked off my feet sigh. My cat, Snickers, rubs up against my leg as I pull my phone out and put a little check mark next to Get a date three! Love rocks. I’m totally going to fall in love with this guy. He’s perfect, following the rules, and tomorrow we’ll launch this baby into exclusive relationship status.
Well, after I check my schedule.
Chapter Six
Nate
I stand in front of the mirror and push the hair back off my face. Maybe I’m ready for a cut, but not quite yet. My hair has always been my thing. Anything encouraging girls to touch me is good, and girls have always touched my hair. It’s always been good—at least in the beginning. And right now I have no intention of going further than beginnings because that’s exactly what I need.
As I glance from side to side, I’m feeling the date night. “You can do this Nate. It totally doesn’t matter that you haven’t had a first date since Viv, and she barely counted since you knew each other for so long. You need some fun, man. Lighten up and go play with a hot chick.”
Laughter pushes its way up because I’m an idiot in this moment. Who the hell gives themselves a pep talk in the mirror before a date? Or before anything? And why, oh why, did I feel the need to talk out loud?
Man, Brooke is rubbing off on me, because when I step out of the bathroom and walk up the hallway, I’d bet money she does something almost exactly like this before she goes out. I wonder if she marks it off on a list.
I grab my wallet and phone off the kitchen counter when the couch in the living room creaks. What the…? I slowly step into the dark room to see Morsten’s backside covering my mom. This definitely falls under the category of bad-naked, and it sucks to know my mom’s getting more than me. I shudder as I back up and wish to erase the scene from my memory, but even when I close my eyes, his bare hairy ass is still there.
Nobody warned me that my mom would turn into a horny teenager after I left home. It’s ridiculous and probably permanently damaging to my psyche. I really need out of this house. Bad.
***
This was such a good idea. Bar number four, about one a.m., and Darrian and I are both looking for ways to touch each other. Chantele and her fiancé are pressed together on the dance floor of the rooftop bar at The Palms, and Darrian leans over to whisper in my ear. “I think this is the spot for the bachelorette party. Perfect. Thank you.”
“So, am I a man of many talents then?” I tease, letting my lips touch her ear. I hold my breath when I wonder if I’ve gone too far.
“I think we’re still testing.” Her lips move across my cheek until the side of her mouth nearly touches mine, but just briefly before moving away.
I slide my hand around her lower back, loving the thin strength of her. I also know she expects me to kiss her right now, or to try, and I’m not going to do it. There’s something about anticipation that makes firsts so much better.
“Let’s dance.”
I turn from her, her hand in mine and she follows me to the dance floor. This is one thing I know I’m good at. Dancing and taking pictures. Everything else with Darrian so far has me shocked because I’m not always good with women, and I’m out of practice.
She laughs her perfect laugh again but once I start moving, she’s close. So very perfectly close. Her arms wind around the back of my neck, and her body moves against mine forcing me to take some good regulated breaths to keep everything in place. It has been too long.
My hands now have a mind of their own sliding up her sides and down over her hips, across that perfect curve between her lower back and her toned ass. I take a few more breaths, but I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to maintain with her body pressed against mine.
“Are you going to make me kiss you first?” she says in my ear.
I step back, take her hands, and turn toward the railing. She slides her arms around my waist from behind. The moment we step up to the railing at the edge of the tall building, I turn her around, pull her to me and slide my lips across hers.
Darrian kisses me back. Hard. Harder than I was expecting, and it takes me a second or two to find a rhythm with her, with her tongue, her body.
“Let’s ditch Chantele and go somewhere,” she says, her body pressed against mine.
I’m trying to catch my breath and pretend I’m not dizzy. “Yeah. Good. Okay.”
Darrian laughs. “You’re funny. This is so perfect. You have no idea.”
I pull her to me again and do a half bite on her cheek making her laugh again. “Let’s go.”
***
I swear I didn’t expect that we’d end up in her hotel room or that we’d be slow dancing on her balcony over-looking the strip. My lips feel numb with all the kissing, and if I’d known coming out with her would feel this…good, I’d have come better prepared.
She untucks my shirt and pulls me closer. No deep breaths are going to stop my body from reacting to her now.
“I’m never this forward, but you’re a nice guy, Nathaniel, and I really want to spend the night with you.”
And this is why you never plan a date.
; I slide my hands up her sides and stroke my thumbs just under her chest, waiting for her to tell me it’s okay to touch her because now that we’re alone and her hands are on my skin, I really want to return the favor.
“My dress is a wrap dress.” She nips my ear. “It unties.”
And that’s all the encouragement I need because after dancing with her half the night, everything in me is ready to feel her against me. I pull on the tie and her dress loosens. My heart starts going a million miles an hour as we stumble back into her room, tugging and pulling off clothing until we’re on the bed.
She rolls away from me suddenly, the lights from the city spreading across her smooth skin and the outline of her lace bra and panties. I can’t believe I’m here. And that we’re doing this.
When Darrian rolls back over she tosses a few condom wrappers next to me and this time I don’t hesitate before grabbing her waist and covering her mouth with mine.
She doesn’t give me time to unclasp her bra or to slide off her panties, and in seconds she’s ripping a condom out of the wrapper, and I’m getting exactly what I need.
***
“Nathaniel,” a girl whispers next to me. “You have to go. I’m sorry.”
My body is relaxed and rubbery, and…Darrian. Everything in me pools into something warm and perfect as I think about our night together. What might be our morning together…
“Nathaniel.” A hand shakes my shoulder.
I roll onto my back and blink a few times. The palest hint of sun is touching the tops of the hotels around us. “Hmm…?”
“My boyfriend just called. He landed five minutes ago to surprise me. You have to go.”
None of this is making sense. Boyfriend? Go?
I sit up as shock hits me. I didn’t go out with Darrian last night to start a forever thing, but I also didn’t sign up to be the other guy. My stomach tightens because I’ve been on his end, and…
“Boyfriend?” I run my fingers through my hair. “You have a boyfriend?”
