“I can’t wait to see you again, but I have plans with Mariella tonight.” My thumb hovered over the send button.
I did want to see him tonight, but it just wouldn’t be right.
“Shit,” I whispered.
I quickly hit send because I needed to keep my promise to Ella. I immediately got a response from him.
“Ok, I’ll miss you. I have to go away for a few days for work, but I’ll be back this weekend.” My face fell as I read his message.
I wasn’t going to see him for a few days now. I wished he had told me that earlier. What was I going to do until he got back? What’s wrong with me... seriously. I’ve only just met him. I can survive a couple days without seeing him.
“Ok, I’ll be waiting for you,” I replied.
“Waiting...you make that sound sexy. I’m not going to be able to think about my work while I’m away.” I blushed at his words.
This man was too fine. I imagined him sitting at his big desk and looking handsome in his suit, holding his phone in his large hands.
“Ugh.” I sighed.
I needed to get home and take a cold shower. This was going to be a long three days without seeing him.
My apartment was empty when I got home, so I texted Mariella.
“Home. Where are you?” I sent.
“Sorry, Adi. I had an emergency photo session for Judge Barnes. Some serious stiff photos, but they need it for his new seat on the circuit court,” she replied.
“Damn.” I frowned reading her message.
I canceled plans with Ryder so I could hang with her tonight, but I didn’t want her to know that.
“Ok, Ella. How long are you going to be? Looking forward to hanging with you tonight.” I bit my nail waiting for her response.
“A few hours. :( But if you can’t wait up, we will catch up at spin tomorrow?”
“Ok, boo. Take your time.” I frowned.
I didn’t want to stress her out about rushing home to see me because she had a job to do and needed to be professional if she wanted to keep getting the best referrals. My thumb hovered over Ryder’s name in my phone.
“What the hell.” I opened Ryder’s message and replied.
“Change of plans. Are you still free tonight?” I waited for his response.
Three days was going to be harder than I thought. Ten minutes passed without a reply, so I decided to give up. After my shower, I got caught up in reality trash TV. An hour in, I checked my phone for the time. There was a message from Ryder.
“I’m sorry, Adi. I took an earlier flight out since we didn’t have plans.” I cuddled up to the throw blanket on my couch as disappointment set in.
Where was he flying out to? I felt like I should be asking him more questions, but I didn’t want to pry.
“It’s okay, I understand. Mariella got caught up at work so I just thought I could catch you in time.” Cuddled up in the blanket, I wished Ryder were here with me now.
“I wish I would have known. I would have stayed around. :( But hoping to be back earlier if I can.” I smiled at his response.
“It’s all good. I’ll just hang around watching trash TV on my comfy couch until you return.” I sighed.
“I can’t stop thinking about the things we did on my couch last night and again this morning.” My cheeks flushed.
“Me either. Now I have to go take another cold shower.” I laughed as I typed out the message.
“I wish I could join you.” I smirked as I wished he could too.
“You have no idea how happy that would make me,” I replied.
“But I do know how hard it would make me,” he responded immediately.
“Mmm... I can’t wait to find out and thanks for that vision while I shower. ;)” I put my phone down and let him think about that one for a while.
My phone began ringing immediately, so I picked it up right away.
“Hey, trying to get me off in the shower, are you?” I laughed into the phone.
“What?” Chase shouted in return.
Oh, my God. I didn’t even look at my phone before I answered because I just assumed it was Ryder.
“Kill me now,” I whispered.
I leaped from the couch and began pacing the living room to think of something quick. How was I going to get out of this one? I had the phone up to my chest, cursing in silence. Slowly, I put the phone back up to my ear, and I cringed.
“Chase!” I yelled a bit too loud and cheerful.
“What the hell was that about, Adilyn?” he asked.
I could tell he was pissed off. Crap. I needed to come up with something fast.
“I thought you were Mariella. You know we have our jokes.” I laughed a little too loudly because it was forced.
He could probably tell I was lying, but it made me feel better.
“Whatever, Adi. Just don’t tell me any details.”
“So, what’s up?” I covered my face still in shock my brother had heard me say the words ‘get me off.’
“Well, I was just checking if you are still good for dinner on Saturday because we need a head count for food and all?”
Saturday, doomsday. Honestly, I haven’t thought about Saturday because I’ve been so busy with Ryder. I was thankful for that.
“Yes, I’ll be there and Mariella too, so count two,” I said, holding my fingers up even though I knew he couldn’t see me.
“Ok, I can’t wait to see you, and the girls are excited to see their Aunt Ads too.” I smiled.
“I cannot wait to see them, and of course, I have presents for them,” I said as I heard Chase huff in response.
“You don’t have to spoil them with stuff. They actually love just seeing you.” He laughed.
“I know, but it’s part of my auntie duties to spoil them for no other legit reason...so shut up.”
“Okay, we’ll see you Saturday. Love you.” He sounded so happy.
“See you then. Love you too.” I ended the call and threw my phone on the couch.
My eyes popped open when I heard the click of our apartment door closing. I fell asleep after two glasses of wine. My body was exhausted from the past four days. Mariella was leaning down looking in the fridge, so I walked over and turned on the kitchen light.
“Hey, stranger.” She jumped and turned around with a piece of string cheese hanging from her mouth.
“Oh, my God. You scared the piss out of me!” she yelled as she grabbed her chest.
“I was couch snoozing and heard you walk in. Well, I guess I was trying to wait up for you.” I laughed.
“Sorry, I got caught up at work tonight. I’ll make it up to you, sweet cheeks.” She walked by and smacked my ass so hard it stung.
“You bitch.” I ran after her and chased her into her room.
We both crashed on the bed laughing. I sat up and cuddled one of her expensive sparkly throw pillows she kept on her bed.
“Why do you have these things. They aren’t comfortable at all,” I said crinkling my nose at her.
“Because it’s pretty, and it’s for show, not comfort.” She rolled her eyes and pulled the pillow from my arms.
“Show? For who?” I winked at her and threw one at her head.
“No one lately, but I should be asking you who’s been seeing your throw pillows on your bed, huh?” She jumped on me and tickled my sides.
I covered my face with her pillow. She, of course, pulled it away, and I couldn’t hold back the big cheesy smile because, truthfully, I didn’t want to. I was happy again. She climbed off me and sat next to me resting her head against the headboard.
“I’m so jealous.” She sighed.
I sat up, straightening my shirt as it had wrinkled up from her tickling me.
“So spill it. Is it good, are you happy, and is it sparks and rainbows and all that corny shit?” She smiled back at me.
I burst out laughing. She was so dramatic.
“Yes, flipping flying unicorns over rainbows and magical shit!” I shouted.
<
br /> “Well, that’s more like it. I’m happy for you, Ads. You need this right now, you know?” She grinned.
I looked down at my thumb and picked the corner of my nail polish off. I did know what she meant. I had been sad for a while, and with the one-year anniversary coming, I knew she was worried about me more than ever. I hadn’t had a major panic attack in a while, and it was probably from Ryder’s help.
“So... did you find out what Mr. Taxi is packing?” She flicked my shoulder.
I covered my mouth. She was so obnoxious, but I loved it. I put my finger to my temple to stall my answer. She was so impatient, and I loved making her wait.
“Hmmm... I might have.” I smirked.
“Spill it!” She punched my shoulder.
“Yes, and he’s amazing, and I can’t wait to see it, uh, I mean see him again.” I laughed.
“You hoe!” She smacked my arm.
“Ouch. You’ll have to stop abusing me, or I’m not sharing any details with you.” We laughed as I rubbed my arm.
“Sorry. I get too excited.” She rubbed my arm.
“You’re a mess.”
“But you love me. So where is he at tonight?” She stood up from the bed.
“I don’t know. He had to go out of town for a few days.” I shrugged.
“Okay, is that code for I’m really hiding a family in another city and cheating on my wife?” She rolled her eyes.
I shook my head.
“Really, Ella? Thanks for making me feel bad.” I shook my head.
“I’m just kidding, really. He wouldn’t leave you for his wife.”
I threw a pillow at her. “Shut up.”
She giggled and said, “Well I wouldn’t if I were him... I mean if you gave him more of whatever you two were moaning about a few days ago in your room.” She walked to her closet and started pulling at random hangers.
“You heard?” My head fell, and I covered my eyes.
“I’m just teasing you?” She wiggled her eyebrows.
I was relieved. I didn’t want her to think I was a crappy roommate and keeping her up all night with random guys.
“Well, he’s away, and I can’t stop thinking about him. He is just perfect. His apartment is huge, he’s huge, his mouth—oh, my God! And he cooks. Well, he grills, but he’s just so...” I paused because I realized I was rambling.
The look Mariella was giving me said she was trying to catch up to everything I had just said. She smiled and walked over to me and wrapped her arms around me.
“I’m so happy for you, Ads.” She squeezed me tight.
“Now see if he has a brother or a friend you can push my way,” she added.
“Of course. But no brother so I’ll see if he has a friend.”
“Good. Now get out so I can pass out.” She pointed to the door that connected our bedrooms.
I kissed her cheek and walked to my room. It was quiet, so my thoughts were all over the place. My mind fell on Ryder’s sister for some reason. It all still puzzled me, and I wanted to know more. His family must have been devastated. To find out she was killed before she had time to truly live her life and dreams—it broke my heart. Ryder’s face drained of all color when he spoke of her, and I won’t forget the way his eyes looked so empty. I wondered if that was the reason he had decided to help others at the parole hearings. He had to think about her every day just as I did my mother. I grabbed my necklace and smoothed my thumb over the imprinted L. I really wished I could call my mom and tell her I met a great guy. I wasn’t sure if we had a title yet, but I really enjoyed my time with him, and I was afraid I was feeling serious things for him too fast. Lying down on my bed, I looked at my phone. No new messages. I thought about sending him a good night text, but he was probably sleeping or too busy, so I laid my phone down on my nightstand.
CHAPTER EIGHT
The half day at school went by fast. I was packing up and out by one-thirty, so I had the entire Wednesday afternoon to myself. I wished Ryder were here. I thought about the day he surprised me by coming into my classroom. That’s something I could never do in return because I never wanted to go back in that environment again.
The street wasn’t as packed as it normally was so I decided to stop in Amore Lingerie Boutique. I always passed by on my way to and from work but never had the urge to explore it. The diamond chandelier in the window made it look too expensive for my salary. The shop was small but lined with beautifully aged white shelves that held various colors of lace, satin, and cotton lingerie. The lighting was perfect. It made every piece displayed look appealing. I picked up a few pairs of lace thongs and looked at the tag—fifty-eight dollars each. I can’t afford that—especially if Ryder ripped them off again. I browsed through a few more pieces and found two sets I could afford. One was a sexy black satin and lace cami nightgown, and the other was a blush colored lace cami set. The lady who helped me was so nice and added a customer rewards card in my bag for future purchases so I could receive discounts. I would never get to that reward since I could only afford to shop here twice a year.
I loved what I found and couldn’t wait to show it off to Ryder. I sent him a quick photo message with some lace in my hand to tease him a little.
Afternoon spin was not crowded at all, and I got lost in each song that pumped through the speakers. Christina Aquilera’s “I Am” came on, and I felt her words pumping through me. I closed my eyes, and I could see Ryder. He was in my thoughts all the time. I would never get enough of him.
The walk home went by fast, but it started to rain, so I felt sweaty and sticky. As soon as I got through my apartment door, I started stripping my wet clothes off. I went right to the bathroom and turned on the hot water. Steam had filled the bathroom before I stepped into the shower. I looked at my body in the full-length mirror behind our door. The faint blood bruises around my collarbone were evidence of where Ryder was sucking the other night. I ran my fingers down my stomach and could feel my abs tighter from my workout. I looked a bit pale compared to my normal olive complexion, but it was probably from not eating much lately. I’ve been so busy between work and seeing Ryder, so it was nice to unwind today. Checking my phone while the water warmed, there was one new message from Ryder.
“Teasing me... I can’t wait to see this lace against your skin when I get back,” I read.
“Try not to rip it this time.” I smirked, but I really didn’t care if he did because it was hot.
Stepping into the hot water, it felt good on my muscles. Closing my eyes as the water ran down my face and hair, I imagined Ryder standing behind me and rubbing himself against my ass. I was so turned on by him and every way he touched me. There wasn’t a moment in the day that I didn’t crave him. Heat spread between my legs and I needed a release. Placing my two fingers on my clit, I massaged gently as I felt myself swell against my touch. I imagined it was Ryder’s tongue moving back and forth with the hot water streaming down through my fingers. My lips parted as I deepened the pressure.
“Mmmm....” I let out a soft moan as my orgasm came full force.
Placing my other hand against the tile wall to hold myself up, I caught my breath. It was the best orgasm I’ve ever given myself and all I could see was Ryder while I brought myself to my release.
As I washed, I began to feel guilty that I had to bring myself a release after one day of not being with him. Well, I was only human and having an orgasm is a stress reliever. I stepped out and wrapped a towel around me before going into my room. It was quiet. Mariella was busy at some women’s republican club photo shoot and wouldn’t be home until dinner.
Snuggling into my old University of Connecticut hoodie, I paired it with some relaxing black leggings to lounge around the house in. Feeling relaxed, I grabbed a bag of white cheddar popcorn to eat while I lay on my bed scanning the TV. Daytime television was boring. I paused on a lifetime movie about a woman playing the role of herself and her pretend twin sister to catch her husband in a cheating lie. That has to be exhausting. I crun
ched on a piece of popcorn and tried to understand what this woman’s evil plan would be, but my phone chimed interrupting my intense thought. I grabbed it from my bag on the floor and looked at the screen. I smiled as soon as I saw his name.
“I miss you. What are you doing?” He words excited me.
My fingers rested over the keyboard. I thought about waiting a while to text him back but I couldn’t. I was too excited to hear from him.
“Just lying in bed watching a crazy movie,” I replied.
“Why are you home. Are you sick?” he asked.
“Half day at school, so gym, shopping, shower and home.” I could see he was immediately typing back.
“Hope you thought about me at some point during the day. I can’t stop thinking about you.” I blushed reading his response.
I did think about him a lot today and a little too much in the shower. Should I tell him that? I was feeling brave.
“I did. The shower gave me more than enough time to think about you. ;)” I smirked reading back my message.
“Oh, so that was a fun shower for you then?” he replied.
“Yes, you should have been there,” I responded and my phone immediately began ringing in my hand.
I held the phone to my chest and kicked my legs on the bed like a giddy high school girl.
“Hey.” I smiled into the phone.
“Hey, you. So you want to explain the fun you had in the shower without me?” Ryder’s voice was a deeper tone.
“My shower? Well, it was soapy, hot and... wet,” I whispered.
“I wish I could have felt how hot and wet you were. I can’t wait to get back and see you.” He let out a low growl.
“When do you get back?” I sighed.
“I’m hoping to be back Friday. Do you have plans?” He was quick.
He knew I had plans with my coworkers for the game on Friday night since Trent told him, but I figured I wouldn’t have to bring that up again.
“I have to meet a few coworkers at Finny’s pub for the baseball game,” I said.
I didn’t want to go, but I already said yes, plus I just convinced Janie to go with me this afternoon so I couldn’t back out now. There was a brief pause on his end.
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