Five Dates Only

by R. L. Kenderson

  I chuckled. “That’s good. I think.”

  Her breathing deepened, so I reached behind me and removed her arms from around me. I took off her shoes and tucked her under the covers.

  I kicked off my own shoes and was about to get into bed when I remembered Sloan had said something about her dog.

  Crap.

  I pulled the covers down just enough to pat her down for a phone. Thankfully, it was in her pocket on her side that was lying up. I took it out and pressed home.

  It needed a fingerprint.

  I took her hand and opened it as I shook my head. Some security option this was.

  I found her neighbor in her messages and sent a quick text, pretending to be her. I didn’t know what she’d said about me, and I didn’t want to put Sloan in an awkward position.

  Me: Can you watch Bear overnight? I’m too tired to drive home.

  I closed my eyes and willed her friend to message me right away, so I didn’t have to stand forever, waiting. Her phone buzzed, and I opened my eyes.

  Casey: Sure. No problem.

  I thanked her and put the phone down on the table next to Sloan’s side of the bed. I walked around to the other side, and I fell asleep a minute after my head hit the pillow.

  I woke up the next morning when someone slapped my ass.

  “Wake up, Caleb.”

  I lifted my head and blinked away the sleep. “Huh?”

  Sloan was sitting up in bed. “We need to go home.”

  I let my head drop back down. “Five more minutes.”

  She smacked my butt again and laughed. “No. We need to get up. I forgot about my dog.”

  “Your neighbor is watching him,” I said into the pillow.

  “I know. But she expected me home last night.”

  “It’s taken care of. I texted her to say you weren’t coming home.”

  “What? I can’t understand you.”

  I lifted my head just enough to say, “Check your messages.” I closed my eyes again and was almost—this close—asleep again when Sloan hugged me.

  “You messaged Casey for me. Thank you.”

  I groaned and flung her off my back. “Fine, I’m up. We can go home.” I rolled over and sat on the edge of the bed.

  “Oh, no rush. Now that I know Bear’s taken care of, you can go back to sleep.”

  I looked over my shoulder and glared at her. “I hate you right now.”

  Sloan laughed. “Someone’s cranky in the morning.”

  “And someone is way too goddamn cheery.”

  Sloan laughed again.

  Mary made the two of us a big breakfast and wouldn’t let us leave until we ate. We finally got on the road around ten in the morning.

  It was about a half hour into the drive when I realized that neither of us had said anything, but it wasn’t odd.

  It seemed that Sloan and I were getting comfortable with each other.

  I looked over at her. “Do you think that, once this is all over, you and I will stay friends?”

  She looked at me. “I have no idea.” She tilted her head. “Would it be weird if we broke up and stayed friends?”

  “No. I’m friends with some of my exes. Aren’t you?”

  She curled up her lip. “Not even close.”

  I reached over and put my hand on hers. “I think I would like it if we were. I had fun this weekend. I’m glad you were there.”

  Sloan smiled at me. “I had fun, too.”

  For a second, I thought maybe we would actually become more than friends, but her phone beeped, and the moment was gone.

  Sloan pulled her hand away and looked at her cell. “Uh-oh.”

  “What?”

  “Mel asked me to come and pick her up at your brother’s.”

  Sloan’s phone beeped two more times.

  “Right now.” She drew in a quick breath. “Something happened with Neil.” She looked up at me. “It doesn’t sound like it’s going well. She locked herself in the bathroom.”

  “We’ll go there right away. Tell her we’re coming.”

  I pushed down on the gas and hoped my brother wasn’t going to do anything stupid.

  Sixteen

  Sloan

  Me: What sparked this fight? Why are you in the bathroom?

  Melanie: Because I can’t even look at him right now.

  Me: Can’t you leave?

  Melanie: He has my car keys.

  “That dick,” I muttered.

  “What happened?” Caleb asked from the driver’s seat.

  “Your fucking brother has her car keys and won’t let her leave.”

  Caleb’s hand tightened on the steering wheel. “Asshole. Melanie is too good for him.”

  I appreciated Caleb saying this. Some families were so loyal that they were blind to each other’s faults.

  I turned back to my phone.

  Me: I knew you should have broken up with him last weekend. I’m sorry I made you wait.

  Melanie: We were right to wait. He would have totally suspected it was me who’d ruined his paint job. I just wish we had pranked him a month ago, so he was already out of my life.

  Me: Why? You still haven’t told me what sparked the fight.

  Melanie: I don’t want to tell you. It’s embarrassing.

  Me: Mel, we’ve been friends for a long time. You can tell me anything.

  Melanie: I went to use Neil’s computer. There was a letter sitting on his desk. It was from the clinic.

  Melanie: He tested positive for an STI, and now, I have to get tested, too.

  “Motherfucker.”

  “What? What’s wrong?” Caleb asked.

  Me: What the actual fuck! Was he even going to tell you?

  Melanie: He says he was, but the letter was dated on Monday. And it only takes a day or two to deliver in town. He had to have known for a few days.

  “I’m going to kill him.”

  “What the hell happened, Sloan?”

  I looked up at Caleb and debated on whether or not I should tell him. Melanie was embarrassed, and even though it wasn’t her fault, I didn’t want her to feel worse.

  Caleb put his hand on my knee. “You can trust me.”

  “There’s a strong chance your brother gave Melanie an STI.”

  Caleb’s face morphed into anger. It was then I realized I had never seen him mad before. “I’m going to kill him. He just can’t keep it in his pants, can he?”

  “You’re not going to kill him. I’ve already called dibs.”

  Caleb squeezed my knee. “We can do it together.”

  I looked down at my cell.

  Me: You have no reason to be embarrassed. Neil is a grade A dick. This is not your fault.

  Melanie: But I already knew he’d cheated on me.

  Me: Hon, the damage was probably already done. Besides, you told me you weren’t having sex with him anymore.

  Melanie: Don’t hate me. But I slipped last night. I’m not like you. I can’t go years without sex. I knew I was breaking up with him. I wanted one last orgasm.

  I gagged a little. I didn’t think Neil was worth sleeping with even if he wasn’t a cheater. The two of us obviously had different taste.

  Me: Please tell me you used a condom.

  Melanie: He would have been suspicious. We haven’t used them for months.

  I closed my eyes and counted to ten.

  Me: I’ll take you to the clinic on Monday morning myself, and we’ll get you tested for everything we possibly can.

  Melanie: The sheet says he only has gonorrhea.

  Me: You’re still getting tested for everything.

  Melanie: Okay. You’re right.

  Melanie: I told him it’s over, and now, he’s pounding on the door, demanding I come out.

  Me: Hold on a bit longer. I’ll be there as soon as I can.

  “Is there any way we can go faster?” I asked. “Neil’s trying to break down the door.”

  Caleb pounded on his brother’s door and opened it before Neil cou
ld answer. It was handy, having a family member around who could do that.

  “Neil,” Caleb called out. “Where are you?”

  “In here,” he called from the hallway.

  When we got there, we saw Neil standing in front of the bathroom door.

  “Move out of the way,” Caleb said.

  Neil pointed at the closed door. “She won’t come out.”

  “Step away, Neil,” Caleb said.

  Neil scoffed and stepped back.

  Caleb grabbed Neil’s arm. “Let’s go in here,” he said and guided his brother toward the living room.

  I knocked softly. “Mel? It’s me. Can you open up?”

  I heard the lock click, and the door opened a sliver.

  Mel’s eye peeked through. “Where is he?”

  “In the living room with Caleb.”

  “Caleb?”

  “Yeah. It’s a long story. Can you open the door and come out?”

  Melanie shook her head. “I don’t know.”

  This didn’t sound good. “Mel, has Neil ever hurt you before?”

  I knew he was a slimy cheater, but I had never gotten the impression that he was an abuser.

  “No.”

  “Then, why won’t you come out?” I asked.

  “Because I’m afraid I’ll hurt him.”

  “That’s my girl.” I bit my bottom lip to keep myself from laughing, but a chuckle escaped anyway. “What if I promise to hold you back, so you don’t go to jail for assault?”

  She slowly opened the door. “Okay. But could you accidentally let me kick him in the nuts first?”

  “I’ll think about it. I’m pretty sure that’s still assault.”

  “He cheated on me, Sloan, and gave me a disease. And he had to have known or suspected something, or he wouldn’t have gotten tested.”

  I stepped forward and pulled her into my arms. “I know, hon. He doesn’t deserve you. But try to remember his ruined car.”

  Mel pulled back and smiled at me. “That does make me feel better.”

  “What is wrong with you?” Caleb yelled from the living room. “Why do you manage to cheat on every girl you’ve ever dated?”

  “Not every girl,” Neil said.

  “That’s your defense? ‘Not every girl’?”

  Mel and I slowly walked into the living room.

  “Mel, baby,” Neil said when he saw her. He stepped forward. “I’m sorry.”

  Caleb and I moved to block him from her.

  “Stay away from her,” I said. “She wants nothing to do with you anymore.”

  Neil sneered at Melanie. “Whatever. You’re not worth it anyway.” He turned his eyes to me. “I should’ve picked you instead.”

  He’d said it to get a rise out of Melanie and me. What I didn’t think Neil had expected was that his comment would affect his brother, too. Before anyone else could react, Caleb swung his fist forward and punched Neil in the face.

  Blood spurted from his nose, and he brought his hands up to cup his face. “What the hell was that for? Jesus, are you fucking her?”

  Caleb chose not to answer. “Ladies, I think it’s time for us to go.”

  “My keys,” Melanie said.

  Caleb held them up in his non-hitting hand. “I already got them.”

  I walked up to Neil. “I wouldn’t sleep with you even if we were both wearing hazmat suits,” I said low and calm right before I kneed him in the balls.

  Neil dropped to his knees and moaned.

  “That’s for Melanie because she’s totally worth it.”

  Caleb wrapped his hand around my bicep. “Come on. It’s time to go.”

  Once outside, I grabbed my purse from Caleb’s truck. “I’m going with Mel.”

  He nodded his head and stepped forward. He put his hand out but dropped it right away. “I’ll talk to you later.”

  I wondered what he would have done if Melanie hadn’t been standing there.

  I got in her car, and we took off.

  “Are you going to be okay?”

  “Eventually.”

  “We can egg his house next,” I offered jokingly.

  She chuckled, but her heart wasn’t in it. “That’s okay. I want to stay far away from him.”

  “I don’t blame you. But what about all your stuff?”

  She groaned. “I don’t want to think about it right now. Let’s talk about something else.”

  “Okay. What?”

  “Like, what are you doing with Caleb?”

  “Would you believe, looking at houses?” I asked.

  Mel gave me a look, and I laughed.

  “I’m helping him out with something …” I started.

  Seventeen

  Caleb

  Later that evening, I was doing some research on managing a business when there was a knock at my apartment door.

  For a moment, I wondered if I’d ordered takeout and forgotten. I’d been thinking of calling up my favorite Chinese food place for the last hour or so, but I’d been too in the zone to stop reading and make the call.

  I got up from my desk and went to the door. I was in basketball shorts and a button-up shirt. I’d left it open with nothing on underneath, so I grabbed the sides and pulled them together in my hand before answering the door.

  It was Sloan.

  “Oh. Hey,” I said and let go of my shirt.

  I watched how her eyes immediately went to my chest. I couldn’t be sure, but I thought I’d seen her do that a few times yesterday, too.

  “I came to get my stuff.”

  I stepped aside, so she could enter my apartment. “Your bag is in the living room.”

  “Thanks.”

  “How’s Melanie?” I asked as I led Sloan to her stuff.

  “A little freaked out about going to the doctor. But glad that she and Neil are over.” She picked up her backpack from the floor and slung it over her shoulder. “And she was a little curious about what we were doing together.”

  “What did you tell her?” I hoped I hadn’t put her in a bad spot with her friend.

  “That you asked me to help you out and that we’re kind of friends now. She still doesn’t know that you know it was us who vandalized Neil’s car.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know who did that to my brother’s car,” I said, playing dumb.

  Sloan smiled. “How’s your hand?”

  I lifted my arm and made a fist a couple of times. “A little sore but not bad.” I smiled. “It feels a lot better than Neil’s nose, I’m sure.”

  Sloan moved toward me. “Can I ask why you punched him?”

  “Because he’s an asshole.”

  The corner of Sloan’s mouth tilted up. “I know. But you already knew that. What was it about his comment that made you do it?”

  I looked away from her because I didn’t want to tell her why. “Do I have to say?”

  “Humor me.”

  I looked back down at her. “I didn’t like what he said about you.” I shrugged. “I guess, in my head, I’d started thinking of you as mine. And I didn’t like the way he’d insulted you.” I put my hand up. “Before you berate me for being a sexist pig, I already know it was very caveman of me to—”

  Sloan dropped her bag and jumped me.

  Our mouths slammed together in one of the hottest kisses of my life. Her hands were all over me. In my hair, on my face, on my neck, and down my chest.

  I kissed her neck as she said, “Where’s your bedroom?”

  I lifted my head. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

  Please say yes, please say yes, I and my dick were thinking.

  I put my mouth on her neck again and rubbed her pussy over my erection once before she told me no and walked out of my apartment. The good news was, it would only take me minutes to get myself off once she left; I was so horny.

  “Caleb”—she pulled my hair, forcing me to look at her—“did you hear what I said?” She didn’t wait for me to answer. “I said, I don’t care if it’s not a good i
dea. I want you inside me.”

  I kissed her long and hard. “I think you’re trying to kill me.”

  She grinned. “Move it, Caleb, before I change my mind.”

  I raced toward my room and threw us both on the bed. We landed on our sides, but Sloan quickly pushed me onto my back. She spread her fingers out across my chest and nudged my shirt out of the way. Then, she practically ripped the sleeves, pulling it off my arms.

  Wild Sloan was back, and I grew even harder.

  She slid down my body until she was between my legs. I barely had time to lift my head to watch her pull down my shorts before she took my cock into her mouth.

  My eyes rolled into the back of my head, and my hips thrust involuntarily.

  “Shit.” I looked at her again. “I didn’t mean to jerk like that. It just feels so—ahhhhh,” I called out as she sucked so hard that her cheeks hollowed.

  At the rate she was going, I didn’t know how much longer I could last. I was going to come embarrassingly fast. She wasn’t even stroking me or playing with my balls.

  Her hands were roaming my body, like she was trying to touch every millimeter of skin within her reach.

  But that was probably what I found so hot about it. She was into me; she was into my body. She wanted to touch me.

  Her hands were caressing my chest as her forehead fell to my stomach, and I felt my shaft hit the back of her throat. She made a sound, much like the sound I’d heard her make the first time she tasted Mary’s lasagna, as if my cock tasted that good.

  And that was why it was over for me. “I’m going to—” I tried to warn her, but I couldn’t manage to get all the words out before I exploded in her mouth.

  I might have blacked out, I might have cried, I might have seen God. I didn’t really know. All I did know was that it was the best damn orgasm I’d ever had.

  Sloan crawled up my body and spread out on me, and I gave myself one minute of recovery time before I flipped her over.

  She squeaked at the sudden movement and smiled.

  “My turn,” I told her. I kicked off my shorts, which had been hanging halfway on my legs, and pulled off her shirt. I got off the bed and pulled down her shorts and underwear as she took off her bra.