Rush

by Gina Gordon

  “You will.”

  Damn him. I would agree. Not only because of the list, but because the idea of seeing him six days a week was too unconscionable to pass up. Bitterness bubbled inside me. I hated that he had wrapped me around his little finger, and I was helpless to unravel myself from his grip.

  “I still don’t understand why you’re doing this.”

  “I’m not the class-A douche bag you think I am.”

  I smiled and crossed my arms over my chest. I wasn’t aware that the action forced my almost non-existent breasts to squeeze together, causing his gaze to lower. I grunted and let my hands fall to my sides. “The defense rests.”

  “Always lawyering.”

  I shrugged. “It’s what I do.”

  Max Levin was the complete opposite of everything I stood for. I was logic, he was emotion. I was years of planning and organization, he was carefree.

  “What exactly would this training entail?”

  A big smile spread across his face.

  I could throw a wrench in his offer. I could name my own activity. One that required a bed. Or at least, the only sex I’ve ever known required a bed. Max probably had sex in cars or his office. I wanted to have sex with Max. A lot. More than I’d ever wanted to be with anyone else. I knew that agreeing to his propositions was going to increase that want a hundred-fold.

  Finally, I felt normal. My breath steady. My body warm and less achy, but I was cold. I tried to convince myself it had nothing to do with Max’s hands no longer being on me.

  He stood, his body towering over me. Like the gentleman he was the first night we met, he held out his hand. With surprising strength, he pulled me up. I was numb and weak from the exercise and his muscle work. I stumbled into him, but I could have sworn he pulled me closer. With one hand resting on his hard chest and the other still twined with his, I looked up, loving the feel of his warm breath as it caressed my neck. He was hard and sweaty. The lingering scent of his cologne was now overpowered by the natural, musky scent of his body. I wanted to press my nose against his skin and get lost in him. Instead, I backed away, claiming some much-needed space to clear my head.

  We walked side by side toward the parking lot. “So I have an idea for another item. If you’re up for it?”

  His commitment to finishing this bucket list was baffling. Although I wasn’t going to question it. I liked spending time with him. I liked the way he made me feel. I especially liked that for the few short hours I was with him, I didn’t have to think about my future. But that didn’t mean the future was on hold.

  “How about the weekend?” he asked.

  I had some major catching up to do with my schoolwork.

  “You know there’s such a thing as too much studying.”

  “But I didn’t…” How did he even know I would be studying? I could just be busy with…other things. “Fine. I’m studying.”

  “I was thinking more like tonight.” He cocked his head. “Well, early tomorrow morning. I’ll swing by your place at four.”

  “In the morning?” This guy was nuts. What could we possibly do before sunrise? “I told you, I have to study.”

  “So you’ll already be up. See you then.”

  With a wink, he left me, anticipation for our next date dancing in my stomach.

  I’d go home and hit the books. Buckle down, focus. Then at four the next morning, I’d meet Max, and I’d be ready for my next adventure.

  Chapter 7

  Max

  I pulled up to Everly’s door at two minutes before four o’clock in the morning. I was early, for fuck’s sake. I couldn’t wait to see her. The hours between when I’d left her in the parking lot and now were torture.

  To my surprise, I didn’t even have to go to the door. She snuck out of the house, closing and locking the door behind her. With a skip in her step, she made her way to my car.

  She was moving like my stomach was feeling. It flipped and flopped, no other explanation other than a pack of butterflies had taken up residence in my gut and had decided to have a party.

  I didn’t do butterflies.

  Although she was only using me to get closer to completing the list, I wondered if she was just as excited to see me.

  I jumped when the car door opened and she poked her head inside. Immediately the citrus scent of her shampoo infiltrated the small space and I inhaled deeply just to infuse myself with her scent.

  “For the record…” She slid into the passenger seat and buckled her seatbelt. “I didn’t sleep. I’ve been trying all night to figure out what we’re doing.”

  There was something different in her voice this morning. Something…light. Playful. I hoped that the wrench I had thrown into her plans was doing its intended purposes. Loosening her up.

  I glanced at the time on the dash. “You have about forty-five minutes worth of wondering, but I will say…we’re going to see something amazing.”

  I stepped on the clutch and put the car in gear, easing us onto the road.

  “You’re a tease.” She crossed her arms over her chest and pushed back against the seat in a mock tantrum.

  When I turned my head slightly, she was giving me an easy smile. “So they tell me.”

  I’d forgotten there would be no traffic at four in the morning; it took less than half an hour to get to the marina. After our run, I met Ben and picked up the keys to his boat. A thirty-two-foot cabin boat, perfect for watching the sunrise, and it was going to be amazing.

  I parked the car in the lot. When I emerged, the cool breeze washed over me and wind chimes rung in the distance. Traffic from the main road north of us played like white noise in the background.

  She waited for me to approach the passenger side and open the door. She swiveled her legs out and placed her feet on the concrete. The parking lot was ill lit, making it hard for me to see her features clearly. But I didn’t need light. I had memorized every curve and angle of her face the night we’d met.

  Looking up at me, she said, “I’ve seen boats before. Even been on one before. My parents belong to a country club.”

  There were so many layers to this woman. She didn’t act like she came from money. Far from it. Maybe we weren’t as different as she thought.

  “Why don’t you relax and see what happens.” I held out my hand and she grasped it, using my strength to pull herself up.

  “That depends. Are you leading me to my untimely demise or is there really something amazing on that boat?”

  A hearty laugh escaped from between my lips. “The boat isn’t the amazing part. It’s a buildup.” I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. “But you’ll know it when you see it.”

  I led us to the long, metal walkway that was gated and locked. I used the access card and let us in.

  As we walked down the metal plank, she was quiet, taking in her surroundings. We walked from darkness to under a blinding spotlight and I finally had the opportunity to take a good look. She wore no makeup this morning. Her face was completely bare. Her cheeks were rosy and her eyelashes were long even without the aid of mascara. It was refreshing. I was used to makeup, lots and lots of makeup and hairspray. Fake nails. Fake boobs. Everything about this woman was real. Including her personality. She was wearing yoga pants again, and I’m not ashamed to admit I leaned back to catch a glimpse of her smoking hot ass.

  “This is all very mysterious…and a little unsettling.”

  I wasn’t surprised. From the moment I’d met her, I knew Everly had her entire life mapped out, surprises unwelcome.

  “You don’t like men with a little mystery?”

  The chimes sounded in the distance, sending a chill up my spine. I wasn’t sure if it was the creepy sound or the waiting. I didn’t want to hear her say she didn’t like men like me.

  “I’m more of a second half of Law & Order girl. I don’t care so much about solving the crime, just give me the facts.” The breeze caught her hair and it tickled my neck. She looked up at me now. “But I guess
that’s where you come in. My mysterious stranger, saving me from my own shortcomings.”

  This woman didn’t have a shortcoming in sight. Sweet. Smart. Attractive. Focused and determined. She had a plan and worked hard to achieve it. I, on the other hand, had been handed everything with a gold-plated dildo.

  “It’s just two boats over.”

  We walked up to the boat and on sight, Everly burst out laughing. “TnA?” She looked up at me. “Really?”

  I laughed. “That’s Ben.” I had no idea how he still managed to get women on the boat after they saw the name.

  I helped her on board then unlocked the sliding glass door. The interior was stuffy from being locked up for the winter, but we wouldn’t be staying inside.

  “Why don’t you have a seat while I set everything up?”

  She sat on the small couch against the left side. My first stop was the bar. Ben kept his boat stocked for instances such as this. Except it was always him showing up in the middle of the night with a woman. I filled the bucket with ice, placed the bottle of Veuve inside, and then grabbed two glasses.

  “Grab those blankets and follow me.” I pointed to the green flannel beside her.

  I took us up to the top deck and placed the champagne on the ledge. Next I laid out one blanket and sat down, rubbing my hand along the flannel, enticing her to join me.

  “This is nice. Romantic.” She eyed me curiously.

  “Didn’t think I had a romantic side?”

  “Honestly?” She cocked her head, debating her words, but in true Everly fashion, she whispered, “No.”

  Her words hurt. Something deep down that hadn’t been affected before. There had to have been a time when I was romantic…

  “I didn’t think your help with the list was going to include romance.”

  Just another reason to continue with it. Although when I’d thought of this plan, I didn’t think it had an ounce of romance.

  I poured two glasses of bubbly.

  “Or champagne.”

  “I’m nothing if not surprising.” I winked.

  She took a long sip and settled back. I placed the second blanket over us. It was still dark, but there was a tiny sliver of daylight just over the horizon.

  “So what is so amazing here?”

  I jumped up and undid my belt buckle, unzipping my pants when she squealed and pressed her hand to mine.

  She laughed, a giddy sound I was sure she didn’t make often.

  “That isn’t the amazing thing.” She tensed and jerked her hand away, suddenly realizing she was an inch away from touching my package. And the longer she held her hand there, it was going to be a stiff package. “Well…I’m sure it’s amazing. I’m sure it’s adequate, but—”

  “Adequate?”

  “I…” She was cute when she was nervous, barely able to get her words out. For someone I was positive had mad skills in litigation, it was even more cute.

  I did my pants back up. “Don’t worry. I figured we should at least check off two more items before I show you my penis.” I winked.

  She let out a slow breath and her shoulders returned to their normal resting position. I hadn’t intended to freak her out so badly, but I made a mental note that she needed to be coaxed. Eased into it. And that was exactly what I was going to do.

  Until her question knocked me off my game.

  “Tell me about your family.”

  I let out a heavy breath. I hadn’t intended on disclosing personal information. That wasn’t really part of the deal, but when I looked over at her, curious, accepting eyes stared back at me.

  “Let’s see.” I ran my fingers through my hair and sat up, resting my back against the side of the boat.

  “I was born here in Toronto. My mom met my dad through the industry. She was a porn star. They got married and stayed married for twenty-one years, until she died five years ago.” I looked away. “Breast cancer.”

  A tiny gasp escaped from her lips. “I’m sorry.”

  I shrugged. Unable to comment on the one key moment in my life that had ripped the ground out from under me. The one moment when I knew that giving someone the ability to break my heart was something I’d never do again.

  “Did she…work…while they were married?”

  It wasn’t pity in her gaze when she asked me that question, it was discomfort. She felt bad asking the hard ones.

  “For a while. Once she got older…” I sighed. “You know how it is. Once you hit a certain age, the industry doesn’t want you anymore. She produced and did some consulting and mentoring. Helped my father run the company. Mostly she stayed home with me.” I laughed, remembering my unusual childhood. “I didn’t know any better.” I caught her gaze. “About what they did for a living.”

  “It didn’t bother you?” she asked.

  “Honestly? No.” I took a sip of champagne. “My parents taught me early on that porn is a business.”

  She bit her bottom lip. I knew a question was brewing.

  “Go ahead. Ask anything you want.”

  “Have you ever…seen your mom…you know…”

  I scrunched up my nose. “Will you think less of me if I say I have?”

  Her hand flew up to cover her mouth.

  “I was young. It was an accident. Someone left the wrong tape in the DVD player. They finally had to sit me down and explain things.”

  It was awkward. I was twelve. I had just wanted to watch Harry Potter.

  “The funny thing, that woman in the movies or on the sex toy boxes, it looked like my mother, but it wasn’t my mother.”

  I glanced over. I wanted her to understand that until her dying breath, Ellie Levin was a sweet and classy woman. What she did on-screen had nothing to do with the way she loved my father, the way she raised me, the way she loved me. I could only hope Everly’s parents showed her as much love. I hoped her parents were just as proud.

  “Why do you want to be a lawyer?”

  My question prompted her to down the rest of her drink and pour herself another glass.

  “Should I ask another question?” I half laughed. I knew there was something up, no one was that uptight about a future they wanted so badly.

  “It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do.” She shrugged. “My parents are both lawyers. They’ve pushed me into the profession. Helped me plan. Consider my options.”

  “But do you want to be a lawyer?”

  She turned and frowned. I saw the indecision. The anxiety that bubbled up in her eyes every time she said she had to study or write a paper. And I saw it now. Like she wanted to scream.

  I knew about parental pressure. My father had always wanted me to get into the family business. I never questioned it. It was easy. It was convenient and accessible. And so I did. I wanted to prove to my father that I had what it took. I wanted him to be proud.

  She was thinking about her answer and her eyes glazed over. She had been here, with me, in the moment this whole time and the mere mention of law school and her future had her retreating.

  “Hey…” I wiped away from her face the loose strands of hair that had fallen out of her ponytail. “Stay here with me. Don’t get all thinking on me now.”

  She smiled and looked out into the darkness. In just a few minutes it would be light.

  I nuzzled her ear and wrapped my arm around her body, pulling her closer.

  “You know, I’m still waiting to see something amazing.”

  I laughed. Patience was definitely not her virtue.

  Chapter 8

  Everly

  There wasn’t anywhere else I’d rather be. But I couldn’t let him know that. I couldn’t tell him that even if his penis really did turn out to be the something amazing, I’d check that item off the list so damn fast, it would be like it wasn’t even on it.

  “I think that you need to relax a little before we get into the amazing.”

  He was more perceptive than I gave him credit for. He knew within seconds when I’d closed myself off.
Thinking about school and lawyer things made me tense and my future flashed before my eyes.

  “Is that so.” I smiled. I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face. “And how do you propose I relax?”

  He pulled me closer, settling me into the side of his body—one arm wrapped around my shoulders, the other gently ran up and down my biceps.

  “Close your eyes.” He looked out into the horizon. The sun was rising, its light sneaking up against the dark sky, orange and pink and breathtaking.

  When Max looked at me, he saw I still hadn’t done as he’d asked.

  “Close your eyes.” He nudged me with his shoulder.

  I did, and let my head fall back against his arm.

  “Think of something that makes you happy.”

  There was only one thing that made me happy. My room. My sanctuary. The room I had decorated all by myself. I had a passion for decorating, and I hoped one day I would have the time to redo the rest of my grandma’s house. I definitely knew what didn’t make me happy. The thought of becoming a lawyer. That just filled me with anxiety.

  “Are you thinking about it?”

  I nodded.

  “Let me guess…” He clucked his tongue. “Our kiss on the street in front of the Concord?”

  “That made me something more than happy.” I held my breath, hoping that my response was heard loud and clear. I might have overreacted with the whole penis-showing situation. I just wasn’t expecting it. Who just pulls out his penis?

  A guy who works in porn, that’s who.

  When I opened my eyes, Max’s heated stare engulfed me. My entire body ignited at the darkness that had taken over his eyes. He wanted the same thing I did.

  “I know what’s making me happy right now.” I craned my neck, hiding my eyes from him.

  “Does it make you happy when I touch you?”

  He traced his finger on the outside of my breast. I couldn’t suppress the shiver that raced up my spine. I sucked in a heavy breath and nodded.

  “Does it make you happy when I touch you…here?”