by Claire Adams
"Agreed." Cindy laid down and brushed the sand from her chest as Dedra piped in from the other side of me.
"Yep. Sexy as sin." She wagged her eyebrows.
"Alright." I dropped down in the sand. "I get it. Maybe you guys are right, but you know how I feel about blonds."
"And, we think it's dumb." Dedra turned to look at me. "Brandon's an asshole and deserves to rot in the deepest parts of hell for what he did to you, but Brody isn't Brandon. You have to try again sometime, Cora. You're going to spend the next few years by yourself trying to make sure you don't get hurt, and what if Mr. Right comes along?"
Tears burned my eyes, and I was grateful for my sunglasses. "I know. I'm just not sure Brody is that guy. We barely know him."
Cindy reached over and squeezed my hand. "Then get to know him. If you think sex will mess that up, then tell him that you're willing to go out sometime, but not sleep together."
Emily turned and propped up on her elbow. "Well, don't tell him I told you this, but Clay told me this morning on the phone that Brody hasn't slept with a girl for the last few days, which is a record for him. I'm thinking there is a reason for that."
"His herpes are flaring up?" I smirked, but the expression faded as I got a look from all three of my friends. "Really? All of you guys are in support of me giving this man-whore a chance?"
"Yep." The response was done in unison, and I was without a leg to stand on. They saw something in this crazy hot guy that maybe I didn't. Or perhaps I did, and just didn't want to admit it.
"Alright fine, but when he breaks my heart, you guys are going to be held fully responsible." I shrugged and closed my eyes, letting my thoughts drift back to the kiss. I wanted another one, and now that it was on someone besides me when the shit hit the fan like it always did, I was planning on getting at least one more kiss.
*
"You wanna come in and shower with me before our date?" Brody wagged his eyebrows at me as I stood at the bottom of the stairs by their cabin.
"Um, no, but thank you. I'd rather wash the sand from my crevices alone." I smirked as he chuckled.
"Come on. I wouldn't mind helping you clean up." His eyes moved across me, and my desire for a few kisses turned into the need for a long night pressed to the bed beneath him.
"Nope, but thanks. Are you picking me up or what?" I turned and walked to the car where my friends were waiting.
"I'm getting us two bikes for the evening. I want to show you the far side of the island. You up for a late-night ride after the show?" He pulled his t-shirt over his head, and I almost lamented over not getting to stare at his beautifully sculpted chest for a few more minutes.
"I'm up for it. Are we eating?"
"Each other?" His brow lifted.
"Dinner." I rolled my eyes and opened the door to the car.
"Anything you want." He shrugged. "I'll be there in an hour with your lovely pink bicycle and a handsome escort for your evening. Sound good?"
"Oh, Daniel's going with us?" I chuckled and got into the car, ignoring the smirk on his mouth that was likely to drive me mad.
"God, he's hot. Please tell me if you guys decide not to go any farther than just being friends." Dedra waved as I pulled out of their driveway.
"I thought you were starting to talk to some guy at church?" I glanced over at her as I slowed my turn for a group of bikers.
"No, that guy was all hands. I swear those church boys can be the worst." She huffed and glanced into the backseat at Emily and Cindy. "They're already sound asleep. I need a man. That's why they're tired and you and I are wide awake up here."
I snorted. "True that."
"What do you think about Daniel? He's already in our little friend group we've created, and he's really good looking under that nerdy intellectual thing he has going on. No?" She turned her attention to me as I chuckled.
"Nerdy intellectual thing? I'm pretty sure that's just his personality, Dee." I pulled up to the stop sign and glanced over at her. "He's pretty inexperienced, you know. I mean, not that I know, but just from what I can tell."
"Yeah, I gathered that, but I kind of like it. It seems like most guys are over-experienced nowadays, and you get some dumb ass that won't listen to you in the bedroom because he knows so much. Ugh. Drives me nuts." She huffed and rolled down the window. "I think I might start hitting on him a little and see what happens."
"I think that's a great idea, but if you want to wait a few days, I'm sure Brody will be available." I pulled up to our driveway and parked the car as she started in on me about how great Brody could be underneath his sexy playboy appeal.
"Not this again." I got out of the car and moved to the back door, pressing my hands to it and pushing. The car shook and the look on Cindy and Emily's faces as they jolted awake was almost priceless. "Get up, girlies!"
"Hey." Dedra tapped the top of the car, getting my attention. "You do what's best for you, okay? No matter what all of us think or don't think. Do what works for you and makes you comfortable and happy."
"Alright. Thanks, Dee." I smiled at her, realizing that I was using Brody's nickname for her. We all had various names we used for each other, but I like the name Dee. It was fitting.
I walked into the house and made a beeline for the shower, closing the door and locking the world away for a few minutes as I prepared for what was sure to be an interesting night, if nothing else.
After blow-drying my hair and putting on a little bit of make-up, I called Cindy from the kitchen to help me with outfits.
"The blue or the white?" I stood in front of my bed, the two summer dresses that fit me best laid out in front of me.
"I like them both. The white will bring out your tan, but the tightness of the blue one just under your boobs makes them look bigger, you know?" She crossed her arms over her chest and glanced over at me. "Are we going for pretty or fucking hot?"
I laughed. "Both?"
"The white one. Your boobs are big enough to get their own attention. You don't need an outfit to help with that." She picked up the white one and handed it to me. "Wear the brown sandals that wrap around your calves, too. They're sexy."
"Alright. Thanks. Tell me when he's here." I closed the door behind her and lifted the dress up before remembering that I was going to be riding a bike. I tossed it into a pile of clean clothes on the chair next to me and decided on a pair of short white shorts and a double layered tank top. It was summery and cute. That's all I needed to be for the evening. Now to hope that the movie theater wasn't insanely cold.
I'd just finished putting on my earrings when I heard Brody and the girls talking and laughing about something. He was a little early, but it was probably for the best. Being rushed through dinner would suck, and even if we were going as friends, I still wanted time to find out more about this guy I was kinda, sorta thinking about letting into my bed. Maybe. Probably.
Fuck. Most likely.
I walked out into the hall and caught sight of him before he realized I was walking that way. Warmth rushed through the center of me as he turned and smiled. His outfit was almost matched perfectly to mine.
"We're twining? You planned this, didn't you?" He smirked as I walked toward him and let my eyes move along him.
"No, but it's almost eerie that we are." I laughed and glanced over at my friends. "Alright, you guys know the code. If I text you the word blueberries, one of you call and get me out of the date with a false emergency."
"Oh Lord." Dedra rolled her eyes and patted Brody's chest as she walked toward the kitchen. "Good luck with this one, Brody. I'll be praying for you."
"Me, too, and I don't pray." Emily laughed and opened the door. "Get out of here and have a good time. If you're not back by midnight, we'll put in a missing persons ad for you."
Brody walked out behind me, chuckling. "You guys really do use that safe word thing?"
"Yeah. Of course." I glanced over at him as we walked down the stairs. "You've never had that happen to you?"
"Never."
He stopped beside two bikes, both of them blue. "Then again, I usually don't have too much of a problem providing a stimulating evening."
"Cocky as ever, I see." I gripped the handles of one of the bikes and threw my leg over it. "Lead the way. It's the only time tonight I'll let you have control."
"We'll see about that." He smirked and got on his bike. "The restaurant is just up the hill. Try to keep up, but if you need me to slow down, just let me know."
"Oh no, you didn't," I mumbled as I pressed the pedal on the bike and stayed just behind him. "What's the name of the place?"
"It's Tanginitas. Mexican. That okay?" He glanced back at me as he pumped his legs.
"Sounds perfect." I started to go around him to prove the point that I could ride as hard as he could, but the view in front of me gave me pause. His shorts looked delicious on him, his strong tanned legs covered in golden hair and layered with muscle. Decisions, decisions.
My ego won out, and I moved around him with ease, pumping my legs as I climbed the hill in front of us. I made it across the street and parked in front of the restaurant as he called out to me.
"Show off." He stopped beside me a little winded. "You work out?"
"You know I do." I smiled and got off the bike, looking for a place to tie it up. "I just needed to remind you that girls are just as capable as boys."
"Good to know, but the hope in even playing like they weren't was to get you to pull in front. I wanted to see your ass in those shorts. Best part of my summer, to be honest. Come on, over here."
"You ass." I got off, chuckling at his cocky response. Whether it was true or not was irrelevant. He was ballsy enough to say it, either way.
"You love it." He bent down and tied up his side before moving to mine and tying mine up to.
"Don't flatter yourself." I brushed my hands over my hair as it danced around me thanks to the strong breeze coming off the lake.
"I'm hoping you'll flatter me instead and save me the trouble." He offered me his arm. "My lady?"
"I'm thinking there is far more to you than you let most people see." I slid my arm into his as I worked to ignore how good it felt to be close to him.
"Most people hide those parts of themselves that scream insecurity, right?" He opened the door and watched me as I walked by.
"I guess that's very true." I moved up to the hostess stand and asked for a table for two.
"On the patio," Brody chimed in. He pressed his fingers to my lower back as we walked through the restaurant and made our way out onto the back patio.
The sun was starting to set over the edge of the lake, and the burnt orange and crimson in the sky pulled at my desire to belong to someone, to be romantic with someone.
"It's beautiful out here." I sat down and took the menu the hostess offered.
"Hell yeah, it is." His eyes were on me, moving around my face slowly as it he'd found something of great interest.
"Stop it, or I might actually start thinking more highly of you." I smirked and glanced down at the menu.
"Please don't. I'd rather rise to the occasion of surprising you than disappointing you greatly." He leaned back and pursed his lips.
"You know, we don't have to see Ghost tonight. We can see the new thriller that just came out, or there was a scary movie.”
"Are you kidding me?" He reached for a chip from the basket that sat between us. "I fucking love that movie. It's in my top five."
"Ghost? No way. I don't believe that. It's the ultimate-”
"Chick-flick. I know." He shrugged and gave me a sexy smile. "I love those things, just don't tell anyone about it, alright?"
"Really? No way."
"Yes way. Guess what my very favorite movie is. It's not really a chick-flick, but it comes pretty close." His expression softened a little, and the cocky guy across the table from me turned into a handsome man I wanted to know.
"Dirty Dancing?" I couldn't help but chuckle after saying it.
"That's number four. Number one is Grease. God, I love that movie so much. I have three copies from wearing it out." He laughed before giving me a stern look. "You promise you'll not tell the guys? You know I'd never hear the end of that shit."
"Yeah. I promise." I reached for a chip and let out a soft sigh. He was going to win me over whether I wanted him to or not.
Chapter 17
Brody
I wasn't sure she could have been any more beautiful than she was sitting across from me with the sun setting behind her. My heart was racing in my chest, so much so that a light sheen of sweat covered my hands and forehead. It was almost embarrassing.
"Alright. Tell me what your plans are now that you're out of college. What's next for you?" I sat the menu down and turned my full attention onto her. While getting her into bed would have been a great ending to the night, I was pretty sure she wasn't going to let that happen just yet. Besides, I had to discern if I was friend-zoned or if my deflating ego was making shit up. I hadn't slept with anyone in a couple of days, and it was almost shocking how much I attuned my worth to how women saw me and treated me.
"I'm actually staying here in Arizona. I'm going to work for my parents for a while and then start law school either in the fall or the spring." Her voice softened in a way that made me want to push the conversation. She was being humble or maybe was unhappy about the next steps in her life. I wanted to know which it was.
"And, you're thrilled about that? I can totally tell. Riveted, right?" I smiled as she sat back in her chair and gave me a weak smile.
"Can't we start with something easier like 'what's your favorite color?'" Her smirk was precious and drew me in. I couldn't remember sitting across from a girl and not thinking about how well her tits filled up her shirt or pondering on the color of her panties. Where I could have easily done that with Cora, I wanted a real conversation...a friendship, of sorts.
"You wouldn't want that conversation. We're not on a real date from what you said, so no pretenses. Just two new friends hanging out, right?" I offered her another out, hoping she wouldn't take it, but knowing it was the right thing to do nevertheless.
"I guess you're right about the conversation." She ignored my comment about the friend date, leaving me still standing in the dark on her feelings. The kiss a few days before had been delicious and left me thinking she was ready for a little more where we were concerned, but now, I wasn't so sure.
"So, tell me why you're not looking so happy at the idea of becoming a lawyer. That's a big deal. Loads of money, prestige."
"Yeah, and every minute of my life becomes about my career. That's not at all who I am." She shrugged and picked up her menu. "Share the fajitas with me. The smallest platter is still way too much food for me."
"Sure, whatever you want." I picked up my glass of water and glanced up as the server approached. Cora ordered for us, and I added in my beer order before turning back to her.
"So why are you going to law school, and what do you want to do with your life if not that?" I sat back, trying to remember the last time I had a real conversation with a woman. I couldn't place it. Not even with my mom or sister. It was odd. Had I really grown that shallow?
"It's my mom and dad's dream for me to work in a firm like they do. It's actually their firm that they want me to work in." She licked at her lips, and my eyes moved down to focus on them again as she finished talking. I missed the whole last part of her response thanks to the memory of our kiss rolling over me.
She chuckled, and I came to.
"What?" I asked before reaching up and taking my beer from the server.
"You're not listening anymore, are you?" Her eyebrow lifted as she gave me a cocky grin.
"Yeah, I am." I pressed the beer to my lips as her smile lifted to her eyes, captivating me.
"No, you're not. You ass. You faded off into a daydream." She pressed her arms to the table and lifted her eyebrow at me. Her position had her dark hair brushing over her exposed, sun-kissed shoulders and left her cleavage on full view. My
mouth started to water.
"I did, you're right. I was reliving that kiss the other night. It's been a long time since I've panted over a three second make out session." I smiled, hoping to catch her off guard.
"Was it three seconds? Felt like forever." She shrugged and diverted her eyes from me as she picked up another chip. "You're turn. What are you doing after this summer?"
"I don't know." I ran my fingers through my hair, struggling with the truth versus what I figured she would want to hear. Just friends, right? "I want to be a coach, but the time and energy involved in that is massive. I figure there aren't too many women in the world that would be interested in marrying a man who followed his heart into a low-paying, time-demanding job."
"I'm thinking there are a few that would. You just need to find one that supports you and your dreams." She tilted her head a little to the side, studying me.
"Are you that kind of girl, Cora?" I picked up another chip, watching various expressions run across her face. I was teasing her more than trying to dissect her, but I'd let her take the conversation wherever she wanted to. I was just glad to be there with her.
"I don't know. I think I would be. I'm more the type of person that wants everyone around me to find success more than I want to find it myself." She moved back as the fajitas were delivered. "Wow, that was fast."
"This place is the best. Clay and I sneak up here from time to time and grab one of those big-as-your-face burritos. Daniel would counsel us for an hour over the amount of salt and cholesterol on those things."
She laughed and picked up the tortillas, offering me one. "Seems like a great group of friends you have."
"It is." I started to put my fajita together as I snuck glances at her. "We've been friends for a long time, me and Clay since we were in elementary school. He's a great guy. I'm glad him and Emily hit it off. He's been in a bit of a dry spell lately."
"Is he planning on going anywhere after the summer?" She dipped her spoon into the sour cream, dropped the white cream on her plate and slid the spoon into her mouth.
My body tightened painfully, leaving me fully aware that of all the woman I'd been around in the last few months, she was by far the one I wanted to explore the most. Fuck.