“See ya!” I call out after her. I don’t try to engage her in further discussion and instead head back to my truck. The few attempts I’ve made at small talk have been unsuccessful. She keeps our interactions all business and doesn’t stay in my company for too long. Not that I’m complaining. Mac’s cool, but I have better things to do than force conversation with my best friend’s kid sister.
The ride home is quick and uneventful. I hop in the shower as soon as I get in and relish the feeling of hot water washing away the dirt of the work day. As the steam envelopes my body, I think about the mystery woman at the farmers' market. I can’t recall the last time a woman intrigued me to the point where I think about her the next day, let alone a faceless mystery woman I haven’t met or even bedded. Being the son from a prominent family in a small town has its benefits, but being able to get a good fuck in without the gossips running their mouths is not one of them. If the women of this town so much as thought I was interested in more than one night, I’d never get any rest.
It’s still been too long since I’ve found release with a woman, and mystery woman’s body is definitely memorable. That’s all I really need to think about to get hard. I take myself in hand and pump slowly up and down my length, the hot water and body wash making things extra slick. Groaning, I think about the things I’d make her feel if given the chance. I think about her grabbable curves—tits that are at least a handful or more and an ass that looks like the perfect cradle for my cock as I pound into her welcoming pussy. I think about her long hair—soft and fistable, I’d love to see it wrapped around my hand as I pull it and breathe in the scent of her neck. I work myself faster until I feel the impending orgasm tingling at the base of my spine. My release is swift and unsatisfying. As I clean up and get out of the shower, I realize it’s been too long since I’ve gotten laid. I either need to find mystery woman or find a willing woman to warm my bed for a night.
About an hour passes, and my doorbell rings as I’m making dinner. I go to answer and smile when I see it’s my little sister.
“Hey Langley, I’m just makin’ dinner. Do you want to stay over?” I ask.
“I can’t, I have plans tonight. Thanks though, you’re too sweet,” she teases as she makes herself at home and sets this week’s delivery on my kitchen island. Every Friday, like clockwork, she brings by baked goods that she wants me to sample and provide feedback on. I love it but know I’d be in serious trouble if I didn’t work off all the extra calories at work .
“All right, maybe next week,” I reply. She nods her assent and looks like she’s ready to head out. “Actually, before you leave I have a quick question for you.”
“Yeah, what’s up?” she asks.
“This last weekend at the farmers' market you were talking to someone.” I pause as I try to figure out how to continue.
“Lawson, silly, it’s a farmers' market. I talked to a lot of people,” Langley laughs.
“Stop it, you brat,” I chuckle. “It was a woman.” I can feel my cheeks redden slightly. I shouldn’t feel uncomfortable, but I never ask my sister about women and I never show overt interest in anyone. I’m hoping she doesn’t rib me for it.
“Oh? What’s her name?” She looks curious.
“That’s just it. I’m not sure.” Ignoring her dubious look, I continue. “It was almost closing time. She’s shorter than you, long brown hair. I didn’t see her face since I only saw her from the side, but I think she might be new in town.”
Her brow slightly furrows as she thinks, and I can tell she’s quickly reliving the day in her mind. Her eyes widen slightly and she asks, “Did she buy anything from me?”
I think back to their interaction and am pleased when I can confidently respond. “Yes, she walked away with what looked like a pie.”
My sister’s confused expression turns sly as a shit-eating grin spreads across her face. “Oh, that woman!” she declares. “She’s a friend of mine.” She looks pleased as punch. I wait for her to continue but she just stands there, staring and smiling at me.
“And? What’s her name? Details, woman!” I laugh.
“Uh uh uh,” she tsks. “I’m not telling you anything about her.”
My laughter dies and my tone turns serious. “Why the hell not?”
“Calm down, killer. I’m just saying I won’t tell you anything because you can ask her yourself.”
“Wait, I’m confused.”
“Of course you are, Lawson. You’re a man. It comes with the territory,” she says as she rounds the island and sympathetically pats my chest. With a kiss to my cheek she walks to the front door and opens it. I’m about ready to call out to her for more information when she turns back toward me and continues, “Smokey's. Nine o’clock. If you wanna see her she’ll be there with me tonight.” With a final wink and smile my way she shouts “Good luck!” as she clicks the door shut behind her.
I smile to myself as I absorb this information. Well now, things just got interesting. There’s no chance I’m passing up the opportunity to meet my mystery woman tonight. I feel the anticipation of finally seeing her face and knowing her name rise up within me. She doesn’t know it yet, but tonight I intend to invade her thoughts and senses to the point she won’t want to see or spend time with any man but me. If she isn’t interested, I’ll turn up the charm and change her mind. This’ll be fun. I sure do love a good chase.
4
I’m beyond ready for a girl’s night out. Working all week has helped take my mind off things, but being near Lawson is a lesson in suffering. Even though we only worked together three days this week, seeing him in his element has been torture to my sanity; I’m turning into a Neanderthal. Whenever I get a glimpse of him wielding tools and dripping in sweat, his taut muscles under his shirt exposed every time he stretches, I’m not sure if the feeling in my stomach is my ovaries exploding or my nerves telling me to get the hell away. Just earlier today when he started pouring water over his body, the droplets creating their own little paths down his strong neck and under his shirt over what I know must be a cut body, I realized I had taken an involuntary step toward him. Thankfully I came to my senses before I could embarrass myself and headed off in the opposite direction.
Now, a few short hours later, I’m in my room putting the finishing touches on my outfit for tonight. A feeling of excitement wells up in me at the prospect of hanging out with Langley and forgetting life’s problems for a little while. Looking at my reflection, I take in the worn jeans and flowy, floral blouse I chose for tonight. Satisfied with my cute and comfortable choice, I toss my hair up in a ponytail and turn away from my mirror as I hear the doorbell ring.
“Mac, sweetie, Langley is here!” my mother shouts from the entryway.
I hear her say she can head on up, and a moment later Langley is stepping into my room. I turn to give her a greeting and stop myself once I see her outfit. I am severely underdressed. She looks incredible dressed in a short, off the shoulder red dress the color of garnets and wine. The dress hugs her curvy figure, and the bottom flares out just a touch so that each time she moves it flirts with the eye. Thankfully, her outfit falls back into the realm of casual with the black cowboy boots she’s paired it with. Her hair is in long, loose waves and is the perfect topper to her innocent seductress look. Before I can even tell her how great she looks, she speaks first.
“Oh honey, I’m glad I showed up early. You are not wearing that tonight,” she exclaims, looking my body up and down as she speaks.
“Well, I certainly don’t have anything like that,” I gesture up and down with my hand in her direction.
“You didn’t pack any cute dresses?”
“Um, no. I packed some jeans and tops and fully intended on doing a lot of laundry.”
She’s looking at me as she chews her bottom lip, a contemplative expression on her face. Looking around my room, her face lights up as she spots my closet. She makes her way over and starts looking through all my options.
“Darlin’
, while I look for something you can wear I need you to take your hair outta that ponytail right now. Keep it straight or curl it, I don’t care, but you have beautiful hair and you need to show it off in all its glory.”
I listen to the expert and remove the elastic from my hair while she mutters about my clothing selection. The hangers scraping against the closet rod fill the silence, and the fact that she’s hasn’t said anything has me worried.
“Mac, you look cute in jeans, but I need you to wow tonight.”
“And why is that?”
Turning from her task, she has a mischievous smile. “Why? Well, if you look amazing then all the men will wanna talk to you, which means they’ll bring a friend along to play wing man. I so do love to play.” She turns back to my closet with a wink and continues looking for something I can wear. Almost a full minute passes before I hear her exclaim.
“Ooh girl, I found something!” she squeals with glee, her excitement obvious. “I’m not sure why you buried it back here, but I love this dress!”
I know confusion is written all over my face, but as she turns around it dawns on me what dress she must be referring to.
“No, I’m not wearing it.”
“Oh yes, you are!”
“Nope, not happening.”
“MacIntosh Layne, you will wear this dress!” she insists, brandishing the dress toward me like it’s a sword. I look at the dress and look at her, a defiant expression on my face. She must see that I’m not kidding, because she pushes forward instead of backing down. “You either wear this dress or we are not going out. Ever. I’ll also tell the town gossips that you think you’re too good to go to country bars now that you’ve lived in the big city.”
“You would not!” I gasp. “There’s no way anyone would buy that!”
“You wanna try me? I’ve lived in this town my whole life and have not set one toe outta line. I’ll ruin your summer before it’s really started.” She must see the shock on my face because her tone softens. “Sweetie, I’m doin’ this for you. It’s just a dress, and I know you’ll rock it. Come on,” she coaxes as she holds the dress out to me.
I wait a beat before I reluctantly reach out and grab the dress out of her hands. It’s been six years since I’ve worn it, and it’s still as beautiful as I remember. Without saying a word, I whirl around and head toward my bathroom to change. I quickly strip and don the dress with my back to the mirror, the soft material caressing my skin like an old lover—both familiar and bittersweet. Before I lose courage, I fling the bathroom door open and step out for Langley’s inspection and opinion. Instead I’m met with silence.
Langley is staring at me with a huge smile plastered on her face and a gleam in her eye. “Girl, you are gonna cause every man to rip out his heart and want to walk across hot coals just to talk to you. I knew you were gonna look good but damn! Did you see yourself?”
I shake my head before she gestures for me to turn around. I follow her direction and have to remember to breathe when I finally see my reflection in the mirror. Where the dress used to hang off me like a tent, I fill it out now in all the places that count. I’m not especially curvy like Langley, but this dress enhances what I have to the best advantage. The sweetheart illusion neckline is no longer sweet but, dare I say it, sexy. The cut deepens the shadow of my cleavage and makes it look amazing, while the illusion neckline teases in a tasteful way. I’m the same height, but the dress is higher on my thighs because of the added curves on my body. My long hair frames my breasts, and I have the perfect pair of red boots that will keep things casual. I look great and, I realize sadly, exactly how I wished I looked in this dress six years ago. I’m hoping I can finally turn the memory of this dress into a positive one so, with a smile, I tell Langley I’m ready to go.
Smokey's is a huge bar with a modern club feel. I’ve been to clubs in the city, but this place is a mix of upscale and country, which is definitely more my style. I take in the country decor and gleaming hardwood floors as Langley and I make our way toward a bar that’s almost the length of the building. Out of the corner of my eye, I spy a large dance floor filled with close-knit bodies dancing to today’s hits as cute servers flit around like shot fairies in their short skirts.
Langley must work some sort of witchcraft because we quickly move through the crowd waiting for drinks and get seats that are prime real estate right up at the bar. Leaning over, she catches the eye of one of the bartenders and turns to me as he makes his way over.
“What’s your poison, Mac?”
Feeling like I should order something other than wine, I place my fate in her hands. “I’ll have what you’re having.”
“You got it,” she nods.
The bartender reaches us and looks us both over before his bright blue eyes zero in on Langley like a homing device. He’s good-looking and with his tall, lean build and shaggy blond hair, he looks like he’d be right at home on a beach or surfing.
“What can I get you pretty ladies?”
“We’ll take two yellowhammer slammers, please,” Langley says sweetly as she places a twenty on the bar.
“You got it, sugar. This round’s on me. Just make sure you come back and ask for Bo if you need anything else tonight,” he murmurs as he slides the money back to her with a wink.
“Why thank you, Bo. We sure do appreciate it!”
As he readies our drinks, Langley turns to me with a smile. It’s only a matter of seconds before we have our drinks in hand and Bo is off helping another customer.
I take a sip of the drink Langley ordered for us both and am relieved when the citrusy taste of pineapple and orange juice dances across my tongue. I was worried she’d order something crazy but am pleased to find that I can barely taste the alcohol.
As we drink and catch up with one another, I notice she periodically looks over my shoulder toward the entrance of the bar. After what must be the third or fourth time, I decide to ask her about it.
“Who’re you looking for?”
“Huh? What makes you think I’m looking for someone?”
“You keep looking at the bar’s entrance,” I point out.
“Oh, just seein’ if I know anyone,” she answers quickly. “I’m also on the lookout for any eye candy. Lord knows this town needs some. Tell me all about those city men. Actually, did you leave anyone back home?”
“Me? Leave anyone back home?” The idea is laughable. “To answer your first question, there aren’t a lot of men in Chicago who have caught my eye, at least not for anything long-term. Of course there are attractive men, but I feel like they were either suits or hipsters. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m from the country, but I like a man who is hands-on with what he does and doesn’t spend all day behind a desk or recycled coffee cups.”
This elicits another laugh from Langley, who begins to fan herself with one hand. “I know what you mean, but I sure do love a man in a nice suit. I just bet some of those suits are closet freaks who get down and dirty after business hours.”
“I haven’t met any that have. And to answer your second question, I haven’t left anyone at home besides Cade.”
“Oh, who’s Cade?” She looks curious and has an expression that I can’t pinpoint. She looks almost worried, but I don’t know what she’d be worried about.
“He’s my best friend. He’s a suit,” I laugh, “but he’s one of the few I’ve met who’s a complete man’s man.”
“Nice! Did things ever cross the line with this best friend?” Langley asks as she leans in closer to hear me.
“Never! I mean, he’s one of the best-looking men I’ve ever seen. It’s ridiculous actually, but we’ve never felt a vibe other than friendship with one another. It’s nice. He’s seriously like a brother to me. One hundred percent platonic there,” I insist. “Why do you ask?”
“Oh, no reason. I just wanted to see if anything is tethering you to the city now that you’ve left your job.”
A moment of silence passes as I think about her statemen
t. Besides Cade, I can’t think of anything that’s keeping me in the city. Now that I’m back home I realize how much I missed it, which certainly makes things more confusing for me. Thankfully, I have plenty of time to figure out what I want. Not ready to make a decision since I’m still here to get my life figured out, I opt to respond after I take another sip of my drink.
“My life is still there, but I definitely have a lot to think about.”
I know my answer is vague, but Langley seems satisfied. We chat for a few more minutes before she looks over my shoulder again. Unlike the previous times, her expression lights up and a smile crosses her face.
“Who do you see?” I start to turn so I can follow her line of sight. Before I can rotate my neck forty-five degrees, she places a hand on my arm to stop me.
“One moment, Mac. You’ll see in just a moment.” I’m confused and know the expression must be showing on my face because she continues. “Just trust me. I see a catch comin’ this way, and I’m being a good wingwoman.”
Relief floods in now that I know what she’s up to. “Langley, he’s probably coming to talk to you.”
“Nope. Please just trust me.”
“Okay,” I say, certain that I’m right in this instance. Unsure of what to do, I grab my drink and go in for another sip. As I’m swallowing the fruity liquid, Langley speaks to someone right over my shoulder.
“Hey there, fancy seeing you here.” I can hear the teasing note in her voice clear as day. “I want you to meet my friend.” I start to turn, and she continues before I make a full rotation. “Well, you already know her, but it’s been a long time. You remember Mac, right?”
I finish my rotation and feel a blush rise to my cheeks. My eyes drop to the floor. It’s Lawson. Lawson’s in the same bar as me. Oh God, why? Mustering up my courage, I trail my gaze from his dress shoes up his dark jeans, over the forest green button-down that’s rolled up at the sleeves, up past his throat and sexy scruff, up past those lips I dreamt about for years, and up into those eyes that freeze me in place and light me up all at once. I’ve seen him sweaty and dirty, but sweet Lord above he cleans up well.
Sin and Cider Page 3