by Laura Lee
RILEY
AFTER CARRYING SOME STUFF upstairs, I throw a backpack towards the floor by Devyn’s feet. “Pack anything you’ll need into the morning.”
“We’re not staying here?” she asks.
I look around her studio apartment. Her empty apartment with the exception of the few boxes we brought with us. “Dev, the furniture isn’t being delivered until tomorrow. Were you planning to sleep on the floor?”
She bites her bottom lip. “I honestly didn’t think about it. I guess I’ve had a lot on my mind.”
I smile. “Good thing I’ve made some plans, isn’t it?” I nod towards the bag. “Hurry up so we can make it to the Heathman in time for happy hour.”
“Like Ana and Christian’s Heathman?”
“Who the fuck are they?”
“Duh, Riley. Ana and Christian. From Fifty Shades? The Heathman is where they first kiss. It has quite a bit of significance in the book.”
I roll my eyes. “First of all, you really need to quit reading those novels. Secondly, they have a great happy hour menu and it’s close to our next item on the agenda. Purely coincidental.”
“What’s the next item on the agenda?”
“Nice try. You’ll just have to wait and see.”
After she packs her bag, we take the streetcar into the heart of downtown Portland. We walk along the sidewalks until we round a corner and land directly in front of the Heathman Hotel. We’re seated by a window in the bar and order some drinks with appetizers. Devyn nurses her Jack and Seven while we eat and make small talk. Out of nowhere, she gets a full body shiver that’s pretty hard to ignore.
“You cold?” I ask.
“What? Oh, uh…no. I just can’t believe I’m actually sitting in the Heathman right now.”
I lift an eyebrow. “The book again?”
“Uh, yeah!”
“Isn’t Fifty Shades that bondage book? You starting to change your mind about trying a little S&M?”
Devyn’s jaw drops. “No! And it is so much more than that! It’s a beautiful love story. She’s the healing balm for his shattered soul!”
I shake my head in disbelief. “Yeah, I’m sure the love story is why you enjoy it so much.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “Why else would I like it?”
“Oh, I don’t know…the dirty, dirty fucking maybe?”
“Whatever,” she huffs, blushing profusely.
“Why are you blushing, Devyn? Because I’m talking about fucking?”
“No!” she denies.
“Since when are you so nervous around me?” I know she’s getting turned on thinking about her lady porn and I’m going to milk this as much as possible.
She squirms in her seat. “I’m not nervous.”
I laugh. “Liar. Don’t forget who you’re with.”
She crosses her arms over her chest, pushing her tits up for my viewing pleasure, and sticks out her tongue. “Whatever.”
I look at my watch and signal for the waitress to settle our tab. “Save that tongue for later. And hurry up and finish your drink. We have to get to our next destination.”
Her blush deepens. “And where was that again?”
“I’m not going to slip, Devyn, so quit trying to get it out of me.” I sign the receipt and stand up to offer my hand. “C’mon, let’s go.
DEVYN
WE WALK ONLY A couple blocks and end up at Pioneer Courthouse Square, also known as Portland’s living room. It spans an entire city block in the heart of downtown. The center of the square is arranged like an amphitheater where a semicircle of approximately two dozen steps serves as seating. On the west side, there’s a small visitor’s center framed by a cascading waterfall with a coffee shop sitting up above. The entire thing is paved by red bricks, many of which are inscribed with people’s names .
There’s a large projector screen set up in the corner. We make our way through the crowd and find an open spot on the steps. Riley reaches into the bag he’s carrying and pulls out a woolen blanket, spreading it over our legs as we sit down.
It’s obvious there will be a film showing so I ask, “What’s playing tonight?”
He smiles. “Anchorman.”
I slam my open hand into his chest excitedly. “No way!” Anchorman is one of my all time favorite movies. Riley reaches into his bag and pulls out two mini bottles of scotch. I grin big and recite one of my favorite quotes from the movie using my best Ron Burgundy impression. “I love scotch! I love scotch! Scotchy scotch scotch. Here it goes down, down into my belly.”
I chug the bottle and belch afterwards, slamming my palm over my mouth in embarrassment.
Riley laughs. “Sexy, Dev.”
As we watch the film, the temperatures drop. I start rubbing my arms to get warm.
Riley stands and says, “I’ll be right back.”
I watch as he walks over to the opposite corner and steps inside Starbucks. He returns a few minutes later with two large cups of hot chocolate. He reaches into his bag again and pulls out two airline bottles of marshmallow vodka. I had no idea such a thing existed!
“We’re drinking grown up hot chocolate tonight,” he explains.
He pops both of our lids, which conveniently have some room left in the cup and pours the vodka, bringing the chocolatey liquid right to the rim.
I take my first sip and moan. “Oh my God, this is pure heaven.” I continue drinking until my cup runs dry. I feel slightly buzzed and can’t stop thinking how wonderful tonight has been so far.
When Riley puts his arm around my shoulder, I actually start feeling like this is the most perfect date imaginable. I have to constantly remind myself that this isn’t a date; this is Riley. I snuggle into him anyway and he rests his chin on the top of my head. We watch the rest of the movie in the same position.
RILEY
I KNOW I SHOULDN’T be holding her like this but she smells so damn good. Like birthday cake…or maybe sugar cookies, or donuts. Whatever it is, I want to fucking devour her. While the credits roll, she tilts her chin up to look at me and gives me a blinding ear to ear grin. I’m taken aback by how beautiful she is. I can’t remember ever seeing her smile this big. Without thinking, I lean down until my lips are brushing against hers. She gasps in surprise which gives me the perfect opportunity to slip my tongue into her mouth. She responds instantly by raking her fingers through my hair and deepening the kiss.
Devyn moans into my mouth, giving me the green light to pull her onto me so she’s now straddling my lap. She tastes so fucking sweet I could do this all night. She’s grinding her body into mine with reckless abandon. It’s like she’s starving for me as much as I am for her. Right when my fingers brush the underside of her breast someone whistles and yells, “Get a room!”
I clear my throat, reminded that we’re out in public. Devyn quickly scoots off my lap and starts picking up our belongings. She starts fumbling with the blanket, trying to fold it but she drops it three times. I frown when I notice that she won’t make eye contact with me.
“Devyn.” She ignores me, and picks up the blanket again. I grab her hands, stilling her movement. “Devyn, look at me.”
After a few seconds of looking anywhere but at me, she lifts her chin and hesitantly meets my eyes. “What is this, Riley?”
I’m confused. “What is what?”
She throws her arms out, gesturing to our surroundings. “This! All of this! Happy hour at the Heathman? And don’t even try claiming it was a coincidence again when you know how much I love those books. Then following it up with one of my favorite movies while snuggling under a blanket? And the hot chocolate? You know how much I love hot chocolate on chilly nights and you took it a step further by spiking it with the most delicious creation I’ve ever tasted! Why are you doing all of this? These are all very date-like activities. Like, best date ever activities!”
“Your point being?”
“This isn’t a date, Riley!” she shouts, garnering the attention of some bystanders.
She huffs and sits down on the steps. “It can’t be a date. Dates open the door to possibilities. Possibilities that you and I don’t have.”
I sit down next to her and grab her hand. “Dev, I know that. You know that. I’m just trying to give you a night that you’ll remember, okay? Yeah, I had the home court advantage when I was planning it because I know you so well.” I grin. “Like I said earlier, you should never settle. I just don’t want you to look back on this night years from now and feel like you settled. That’s all this is. I promise.”
She offers me a small smile. “Really?”
I nod my head. “Really.”
DEVYN
OH MY GOD, I am thrown way off balance from that kiss! I always knew Riley and I had chemistry but it was never this explosive before. I got a little taste in my car earlier but this is different. That kiss was freaking volcanic! Riley offers his hand which I accept after only a brief hesitation. As he starts leading me across the square I ask, “What now?”
He points to the tall white building on the corner. “Look carefully up on top of that building. Do you see those people looking over the ledge?”
“Yeah. What’s up there?”
“It’s a restaurant,” he replies. “On the roof, anyway. The space in between that and Macy’s is a hotel. I figured we could get some dessert and maybe a nightcap before heading downstairs to our room.”
“Oh.” I stare at the imposing structure. I started to feel warm as soon as he mentioned our hotel room. I don’t know why I’m acting this way; Riley and I have shared a bed many times over the years. But there was always the knowledge that nothing physical would ever happen back then. Now? Not so much.
He grins. “That okay?”
I clear my throat. “What? Um, yeah…of course it’s okay.”
He increases his stride, towing me behind. “Then let’s go.”
DEVYN
WE WALK INTO THE lobby of the hotel up to the check-in desk. I stare at the lighted mural behind the counter as Riley tells the clerk we have reservations. He hands her his credit card, signs something, and pockets two keycards.
“Would you like me to have someone take your bags up for you, sir?” she asks.
Riley looks over his shoulder and winks at me. “Yeah, that’d be great. We’re going to head upstairs for a nightcap.”
“Very well, sir. Please let us know if you need anything. Enjoy your stay.”
He leads me to an elevator that takes us up to the rooftop lounge. The hostess seats us at one of the white couches in the open-air balcony. She hands us our menus as Riley orders two shots of Fireball.
When the hostess leaves, I look around. “This place is nice.” The city view is lost on me because I’m not really paying attention to our surroundings. I can’t stop thinking about the keys in his pocket. The ones that lead to our hotel room. The room where we’re going to have sex. After we leave here. Oh God.
“It is,” he agrees while looking at the menu. “Do you want to share the tempura banana split?”
I quickly glance at my menu. “Yeah, that sounds good.”
Our waiter arrives with our drinks and takes our order. We drink our shots and make small talk until our dessert arrives. My mouth waters as I stare at the plate in front of us. Fried bananas are topped with a cherry compote, peanut brittle ice cream, and caramel sauce.
I lick my lips. “Yum.”
Riley is staring at my mouth. “My thoughts exactly.” I reach for my silverware but he stops me and says, “Here. Allow me.”
“Uh…okay.”
He grabs a spoon and dips it into the ice cream. He watches carefully as he brings the bite to my mouth, gulping audibly as I close my lips over the utensil. “Good?”
I swallow. “Yes, very. Are you going to try it?”
“Oh, I really, really want to.” He hasn’t taken his eyes off of me.
“Well, why don’t you—”
I’m silenced when his lips touch mine. Since we’re on a couch he’s right next to me and can easily lean into my body. He quickly dips his tongue between my parted lips and pulls back with a smile. “Delicious.”
I blush. “That’s not what I meant when I asked if you were going to try it.”
He wraps his arm behind me and begins tracing circles on the small of my back with his thumb. He leans over my ear and whispers, “Are you complaining about my methods?”
I shiver as he licks my earlobe. “No.”
He places feather light kisses along the nape of my neck. “Dev?”
“Hmm?”
“Do you want to go downstairs?”
I bite my lip to stifle a moan. “So bad.”
He stands with a smile, pulls some money out of his wallet and places it on the table next to our barely eaten dessert. He leads me back to the elevator without a word as I follow in a haze of lust. He presses the button for the tenth floor as we step into the car. Our bodies vibrate with anticipation as we stare at each other on the short ride down. He gently pushes me forward by the small of my back as we exit to the left.
“Room ten-oh-eight,” he says.
We find our room about halfway down the hall and Riley stops to dig in his pocket for the keycard. He swipes it through and the green light illuminates. Turning the knob he says, “You ready?”
I gulp. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
RILEY
I OPEN THE DOOR to our room and guide her in by pushing on the small of her back once again. This is definitely my new favorite spot on her body. It dips in perfectly where I rest my hand right above the tempting curve of her ass, making my fingers itch to slide south. Devyn gasps upon seeing my final surprise. Red rose petals are strewn across the white down comforter with a silver bucket of iced champagne and two flutes sitting on the nightstand.
“Oh, Riley,” she whispers. My dick stirs at the sound of her voice. I hope that it’s only the first of many times she will say my name tonight with such reverence.
She walks throughout the room, lightly touching her fingertips to each surface. She fits perfectly in such a classy space and I can’t help but sit here and admire the view.
“Do you approve?” I ask.
She turns around with that magnificent grin from earlier and replies, “It’s perfect.”
I walk over to the nightstand and see that the champagne has already been corked so I pour two glasses. Holding one out towards her I say, “Would you like some?”
She smirks. “Why, Mr. McIntyre, are you trying to get me drunk?”
I laugh. “Right! You and I both know who can drink whom under the table here and it certainly isn’t me.”
She grins as she takes the glass from my hand. “Touché.” After a lengthy sip she adds, “What now?”
I step towards her, loving the pink hue that hasn’t really left her skin tonight. I gently slide my finger underneath the thick strap of her dress before trailing it down her arm. It’s pretty hard to miss the goose bumps that have formed everywhere I’ve touched. “Now, is when you officially have to stop asking questions and just follow my lead.”
She gulps. “Oh…um, okay. Can I just have a minute…to you know, freshen up?”
I smile. “Take all the time you need.”
DEVYN
I GRAB MY BAG and head to the bathroom. Once the door is closed, I turn towards the mirror above the marble vanity and take a good look at myself. This is the last time I will see myself as a virgin. Am I really going to do this? I take a deep breath to strengthen my resolve. Yes…yes, I’m definitely going to do this. I questioned my decision to ask Riley a time or two, but any inkling of doubt that was left went out the window after the day we’ve had. I can’t believe how much thought and effort he put into this! I know for a fact that he’s never pulled out the stops like this for a
ny other woman, which is probably why I was so caught off guard. Riley doesn’t have to woo a woman. Hell, he didn’t have to woo me but if I’m being honest with myself, I’m so glad he did.
Mission accomplished, Rye. There is no way I will ever forget this day or regret my decision to make him my first. I can’t imagine anyone else making this any better. I pull my dress over my head and hang it on the back of the door. I briefly close my eyes as I step out of my shoes, then reopen them, trying to see myself as Riley will in a matter of minutes. My blonde hair falls past my shoulders in waves, barely touching the slight swell of my breasts. My white lingerie may seem a bit cliché with the whole virginal aspect, but I knew I had to have it the second I saw it. It toes the line between sexy and slutty, but at the same time, it’s unequivocally feminine. The barely there lace cups of my bra and matching boy shorts scream anything but purity. I may as well walk out there completely naked for as much as this conceals. Or doesn’t conceal, rather. My eyes are drawn to the script embedded on my rib cage. I got my one and only tattoo on my eighteenth birthday and never told a soul about it. I intentionally put it somewhere that could be hidden with clothing. I wonder how he’ll react when he reads the words, considering they’re so eerily similar to his own.
Time to find out. I take one more deep breath as I twist the door handle.
RILEY
I’M INSTANTLY ON ALERT as I hear the bathroom door opening, then I’m frozen in place the second Devyn comes into view. I drink her in from head to toe and wonder what the hell I did to get so damn lucky. She’s fucking perfect. I know I should stop staring like a schmuck and say something but words fail me.
My eyes travel from the pink blush on her cheeks to her pouty lips. They go further down to her tits that are barely encased by a scrap of highly transparent white lace. Her nipples pebble under my gaze making my dick even harder. I wet my lips as I imagine tracing my tongue down her flat stomach and around her belly button. I’m momentarily distracted by something on her left rib. A tattoo? Why didn’t I know about that? I smirk as I add her ink to my tongue-tracing agenda and wonder what else she’s been hiding from me. I continue my ocular descent until I reach the sexiest motherfucking panties I have ever seen. In my experience, even the lace ones like these have a tighter weave to them, but not Devyn’s. Every beautiful part of her body that I’m dying to devour is fully on display. I almost embarrass myself by blowing my load when I get to the center of her body and notice a dark blonde strip of curls. My fists clench and unclench, impatiently waiting to touch every inch of her skin.