by L. P. Dover
“Fuck,” I mutter to my empty room.
The bottoms come off slowly and her legs part as her hand trails down her tanned torso and her finger parts her perfectly plump lips. I pump harder, feeling the pressure as my balls tighten. I want to slide my hard cock between those lips and show her what she’s been missing all these years.
“Yeah, touch yourself.” And she does. She fucking slides her naughty finger into her core and pulls it back out. It goes right to her mouth, and she smiles. Fuck, I want to kiss her, to taste her, to make her scream my name. It’s been my dream since I was fourteen years old when Ellie brought Sophie home.
“Arghhhh.” I’m close. My hand is sliding up and down my shaft like it is its only job in life. My hips buck as I imagine myself pounding into Sophie with her arched back and my hand tangled in her hair. My release comes, it’s hot and rapid. I turn into my pillow and groan loudly.
Breathing heavily, it takes me five, maybe ten minutes to recover. I clean up as best as I can and go to my door, opening it quietly to make sure my sister isn’t lurking before running into the bathroom and hopping into the shower.
I’m quick, washing everything and trying not to think about my fantasy because if I do, I’ll be hard again and will need to take care of the situation. Back in my room, I find a clean pair of shorts in one of my boxes and slip those on. No need to get dressed because I’m going to take my Wrangler over to the beach today and hit the waves. I need to exert some energy.
When I get upstairs, my sister is at the table, playing on her phone. I know I’m going to regret this, but after what I just did, I have no choice. “I’ll take her,” I say as I walk away.
Three
Sophie
I think I drank way too much last night. Waking up with a raging headache isn’t my idea of fun. Then again, when I think of what Ellie and I did, I can’t help but smile. It felt good tossing Warren’s things in his front yard last night. Yeah, it was also a little childish, but again, it felt amazing. Especially when I made sure his pink boxers were on full display. There’s nothing wrong with men wearing pink, but Warren just looked like a douchebag in it. It’s crazy how a breakup can make you see things more clearly.
My phone rings and I already know who it’s going to be. I look down and there’s Ellie’s name. I quickly grab the TV remote and hit pause on the movie I’m watching. Hallmark now has Valentine’s day themed movies out and I can’t get enough of them. If only love was really like the way you saw it on TV.
“Hey, Ellie,” I say, answering the call.
She snickers in that mischievous way of hers. “How ya feeling?”
“Pretty good,” I lie, wishing my headache would go away.
“Glad to hear it. Are you dressed?”
I look down at my Chapel Hill sweatshirt and matching Tarheel pajama pants. “In my jammies, why? You coming over? I have Hallmark on.”
She bursts out laughing. “Not exactly. My brother is though.”
“What?” I shout, jumping to my feet. “What do you mean he’s coming over?” Heart racing, I rush into my bedroom. My hair’s a mess and I have zero makeup on. Not exactly the way I wanted to see him for the first time. Pressing the speaker button, I toss my phone on the bed. I almost trip as I hurry into my bathroom to wash my face. There’s not enough time to wait for the water to get warm so I hold my breath as the cold water splashes against me.
Ellie giggles. “He agreed to be your date to the Valentine’s Day ball. I knew he would. The guy’s been hard up over you for forever.”
I dry my face quickly. “What all did he say?” I rush over to my closet and grab the first pair of jeans I can get my hands on. Before I can slip them on, the doorbell rings. “Shit,” I gasp, “he’s here. I look like hell.”
All Ellie does is laugh in reply. Ripping off my pajama pants, I squeeze into my skinny jeans and opt to keep my Chapel Hill sweatshirt on. There’s just no more time.
“If you were wearing a trash bag Tanner would still think you’re sexy as hell,” Ellie admits. “He was a little annoyed with me this morning. I went to mom and dad’s house to welcome him home in the old Ellie fashion.”
She used to give him hell, always picking on him. It used to piss Tanner off. “That’s mean, Ellie. The poor guy just got back.”
Ellie snorts. “He’ll be okay.”
The doorbell rings again and my heart jumps. “I gotta go. Thanks for asking Tanner for me. I’ll call you later.”
“No problem.” As soon as we hang up, I wrap my messy, tangled hair up into a bun, hoping I don’t scare Tanner the second I open the door.
Taking a deep breath, I hurry to the front door and place my hand on the knob. Here we go. My breath catches in my lungs the second our eyes meet. His are still the same striking blue as before. His blond hair is a little longer, tousled in that sexy way you’d imagine California surfers to look. In his low-cut jeans and snug light blue T-shirt, he looks exactly like a version of Chris Hemsworth. Butterflies flutter in my stomach.
“Hey,” I say, voice breathless.
Tanner’s lips pull up at the corner and he rakes his gaze up and down my body. “It’s been a long time.”
Stepping back, I open the door all the way. “Yes, it has. Do you want to come in?”
Tanner steps in and looks around. “Did Ellie tell you I was coming?”
I ran a hand over my messy bun. “Yeah, literally just five minutes ago. I’m sorry I look like a hot mess right now.”
Tanner meets my gaze and smirks. “More like hot as hell, Soph. Your fucking ex was stupid for what he did.”
That makes me smile. “Thanks. I appreciate you agreeing to be my date. I know it’s probably the last thing you want to do now that you’re back in town.”
He shrugs. “Actually, I think it’ll be fun.” His eyes twinkle with mischief and it makes me tremble. I wonder what kind of fun he’s referring to. All I know is that I’m looking forward to it.
I nod toward the couch. “Want to have a seat? We can catch up.”
Tanner walks over to the couch and I sit beside him. The way he stares at me with such intensity makes me nervous. I love it though. “I hear you’re a dentist now,” he says, draping his arm over the back of the couch.
“Yep,” I reply, smiling back at him. “I love it. Your sister is my office manager. She told me she gave you hell this morning.”
He scoffs. “That’s putting it lightly. The girl has no boundaries.”
I laugh. “Exactly. I love her though.”
“So do I, but I’ll be happy to get out of my parent’s house tomorrow. That way, I don’t have to let her in if she comes to visit.”
“Just don’t let her know where you put the spare key. She barges in all the time here,” I say.
Tanner chuckles and shakes his head. “Don’t see how you do it. She’d drive me insane.”
I have to agree with him. Sometimes she does drive me crazy, but it’s part of who she is. “Where’s your house at?” I ask, turning my body more toward him.
He points toward the door. “About a mile from you. I was hoping the house would be ready yesterday, but it had to go through one last inspection. Got the call this morning that it’s ready.”
“Did you design it yourself?”
He nods and I can see the pride on his face. “Yep. It’s on the lake. Not exactly my beachfront property in Cali, but it’s pretty damn awesome.”
“If you love California so much, why’d you come back?”
With a heavy sigh, his smile fades. “They didn’t have a position available at the West Coast office. The owner of M&M Architectural Design offered me a job. It’s based out of Charlotte, but I can pretty much work from anywhere as long as I’m in North Carolina. I couldn’t pass it up.”
I shrug. “Hey, at least, you have your family here. Can’t be all that bad.”
His grin returns. “It’s looking up for me.”
It’s hard to imagine him being the same Tanner I knew nine
years ago. He’s completely different, but then again, I really never paid much attention to him back then. Kind of makes me feel horrible asking him to do me a favor.
“Do you need help moving in tomorrow? I’d be happy to help you. It’s the least I can do for what you’re doing for me.” If he accepts, it won’t make me feel so bad.
For a few brief seconds, he stares at me curiously. Makes me wonder what’s going on in that mind of his. He peers around my living room and nods. “You know what, I think I’ll take you up on that. All of my furniture will be delivered tomorrow, but I could use some help moving the boxes from my parents’ house.”
I hold out my hand. “Deal. I owe you.” He shakes my hand and goosebumps break out all over my skin. Luckily, he doesn’t seem to notice.
He slowly lets me go. “So, tell me about this party. What all do you need me to do?”
My cheeks burn. There are things I’d love for him to do, but I’m not about to mention them. Closing my eyes, I sigh and open them back up. “Okay, it’s a Valentine’s Day ball, put together by a girl I knew in college. Everyone I graduated with will be there. It’s like one of the biggest events of the year.”
Tanner smirks. “Your ex will be there, right?”
I nod. “Yes. Along with the woman he cheated on me with. I’m sure everyone there knows what happened. I can’t not go.”
“Do you still have feelings for your him?” Tanner asks, furrowing his brows.
“No,” I gasp, knowing it’s the God honest truth. I stare right into Tanner’s eyes, hoping he can see it as well. “I don’t love him anymore. Here recently, I keep thinking I never did. We didn’t have that connection.”
Tanner moves closer, his eyes searching mine. “What exactly do you want from me? Do you want it to look like we’re together?”
My stomach flutters and the nerves make me shiver. “Would that be okay with you?”
His eyes focus on my lips for a few seconds before meeting my gaze again. “If you want this to be believable, we might have to practice. I don’t want to be at the party trying to kiss you, only to have you recoil or look surprised.”
Everything inside of me trembles. Just the sound of his voice and hearing those words turn me on. “That’s not going to be a problem,” I say, whispering the words.
Tanner smiles. “You sure? I’m right here if you want to practice.”
Dammit to hell, I want to kiss him more than anything, but that’s the sexual tension talking. I can’t be acting rash like that, not with Ellie’s brother. Then again, he has a point. We can’t go into the party pretending to be together and not looking like we’re together.
Taking a deep breath, I get to my feet. By the mischievous grin on Tanner’s face, it’s obvious he can tell I’m contemplating it. “Okay,” I give in, “maybe we should practice a couple of things, but not today. I think we should get to know each other a little better first. We have a week before the party.”
He agrees with a nod and stands. “Sounds good to me. I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning. We’ll spend the day together.”
I like the sound of that, maybe too much. “See you tomorrow,” I say. I walk him to the door and he opens it. He glances down at my lips again and I really just want to say fuck it and kiss him just to see what it’s like, but I totally chicken out.
Something tells me he’s not afraid though. Tanner starts out the door and looks at me over his shoulder. “Sweet dreams tonight, Soph. I’m sure I will.”
Mouth gaping, I watch him get in a black Jeep and drive away. Sweet dreams aren’t exactly what will be happening in my sleep. All that’s roaming through my mind is naughty. Groaning, I shut the door and lean against it.
“What the hell have I gotten myself in to?” I can still smell Tanner’s cologne and it’s intoxicating. “I’m going to be making out with my best friend’s brother. If that doesn’t spell disaster, I don’t know what does,” I mutter out loud. What’s bad is that I know I’m going to like it.
Four
Tanner
With a cup of coffee in each hand, I make my way toward Sophie’s door. It would make sense for me to leave my cup in the Wrangler, especially considering the new initiative of no Styrofoam allowed and the hot liquid is burning my hand. Not to mention, the lids barely fit over the thin paper product.
“Son of a bitch,” I mutter. With each step I climb or with any sudden movements, coffee splashes on my hand and it hurts. Guess that’s why the word hot is printed on the cup. As soon as I let out my verbal displeasure, one of Sophie’s neighbors steps out of her apartment. I smile as I pass by.
Carefully, I set one cup on top of the other and knock on Sophie’s door. It swings open immediately and for a second I’m transported back to my horny teenage days and imagine us in the middle of some Aerosmith video, with Sophie’s hair being blown away from her face, and she’s standing there in nothing more than a bra and panties, making the come fuck me face.
My reality is, Sophie is holding the door open for me while dressed in a pair of running shorts and a tank top, with a ballcap on. Still sexy as fuck, and I’d still take the opportunity to fuck her, but not today.
“Here ya go,” I say as I extend the hand holding two cups of coffee toward her. “Careful, they’re hot and these cups are meant to send you into coffee bean rehab.”
“They’re ridiculous.” She takes her cup and closes the door behind me. “I get why, but do you realize how much plastic and Styrofoam we still use?”
“It’s everywhere.” We stand there awkwardly for a moment until she sighs and turns away. I’m curious about her sigh. Is it a good one? As in she’s content and happy I’m here. Or one where she wishes she never volunteered to help me? I’m going with the former because yesterday, when I came to visit, the sexual tension between us was so thick, a knife wouldn’t have been able to slice through it. Which is going to be important for this party thing we’re going to. I want her ex to be jealous and realize how much of an idiot he is.
“Is a black tux okay for this dance?”
She giggles and the sound goes right to my dick. I drop my hands and let the cup from hell block my growing erection.
“It’s not a dance.”
“But we’re going to dance?” I say, hoping I don’t sound too hopeful.
“Well, yes,” she says. “But it’s so much more. We’ll mingle, eat and, drink. And then there will be dancing.”
I don’t care as long as I get to hold her against my body.
“So, back to my question, is a black tux okay?” I ask. I’m fucking clueless on these kinds of things. Who the hell plans a Valentine’s Day ball? Not that I’m complaining since it works to my advantage.
“Yes,” she replies.
“Do I need to get you a corsage or something?”
She laughs again. “No, silly.”
“Limo?” The thought of a limo is very appealing, especially at the end of the night, when we’re tipsy and hopefully heading back to my place to christen every inch of it.
“Only if you want, but seriously.” Sophie comes over to me and places her hand on my chest. Not exactly where I’d like her to touch right now, but the effect is the same, nonetheless. “I appreciate you doing this for me, Tanner.”
“It’s my pleasure, Sophie.” My voice is quiet. I step closer to her, wishing like hell I had set this fucking cup down. I swallow hard as I stare into her beautiful brown eyes. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t give for a chance to be with her, even after all these years. “We should go,” I say reluctantly. Leaving now is the last thing I want, but it’s the only option because if we don’t, I’m sliding my hands over her ass, picking her up and carrying her to her bedroom.
“Okay . . . yeah let me get my purse.” She doesn’t move immediately, and I swear she feels the same magnetism I do. After what feels like five or ten minutes, when in actuality it is probably fifteen seconds, she brushes past me. I look to the ceiling, to get my bearings and inhale and exhale a few tim
es to control the stirring in my shorts.
I can sense her behind me, but I don’t turn around. For all I know, she’s checking me out. I’m not the same lanky kid who used to follow her around the house when she’d spend the night. I remember knocking on Ellie’s door with some excuse just so I could be in the same room as Sophie. My time away from Raleigh in college, and living in California has changed me, and for the better. I grew up, filled out, and became a man.
Slowly, I glance over my shoulder, and sure enough, she’s staring. I think about every stupid thing I could say right now, but let the moment sit there until her eyes meet mine. “Like what you see?”
Trying to hide her smile, she looks at me with playful eyes and shrugs. “Life in the west has been good to you.”
Not as good as life in the east is about to be. “I think you’d like it out there. We’ll go visit sometime.”
Sophie smiles, it’s bright and infectious. “I love that idea, but first, we gotta get you moved into your new place. Come on, let’s go.” I follow Sophie out the door and close it behind me, knowing right then and there, I’d follow her anywhere.
We walk down the stairs, side by side, and I use this opportunity to rest my hand on her back. I expect her to walk a bit faster or move the side, but she does the exact opposite and moves slightly closer to me. When we get to my Wrangler, I set my stupid coffee down and open the door for her, watching as she climbs in like a pro.
“I want one of these,” she says when I get in.
“I have to say, it’s one of my favorite purchases. I’ll let you drive it sometime.” This is saying a lot because I refuse to let my own sister anywhere near my car.
As soon as I pull out of the parking lot, I turn toward my new house. “Wait,” she says. “I thought we had to get boxes from your parents.”
I point toward the back and she turns. Her hand goes to her face. All of my boxes are there. “I’m such an idiot. I never pay attention to my surroundings.”
