To-Do Him List

by Denise Marie

  The muscles in her legs relaxed enough to sit Indian style. “Thank you, Derek.”

  Minutes, that’s all it took for her to understand why these men could have any woman. They were carefree and uninhibited or so it seemed.

  Cole handed her an envelope. “Didn’t take Tony long to prove me right.”

  She accepted the envelope and hit him with it. “I told you I would sign anything.”

  “Well then.” Brett stood up, and shook his hips while he unzipped his pants in front of her. Hoots and hollers filled the common area. Thankful for the documents, she raised the envelope to cover her face.

  I have officially met Taryn’s match.

  Brett zipped his pants up and raised his hands in surrender. He was attractive, young. Lots of tattoos covered what she could see as well as piercings. Although young, his posture was aged and his eyes haunted as if his life’s story were incomparable to any other.

  A loud smack echoed in the tiny room. She dropped the envelope to see the recipient of the blow.

  “Fuck off, man.”

  Cole’s face was serious but Brett still laughed. “Get use to him, Izzy. He always butts his head in when the going gets good.”

  A little more relaxed with the familiarity of friendly banter, her time to be a wild woman would be now or never. “Too bad, I was really interested in seeing how big a canvas I had to work with.” She waved the pen in the air and attempted the naughty grin she’d seen Taryn use many times, while waiting on attractive male customers at the bar.

  Brett changed directions, pumped his fist in the air, and headed out of the lounge. “Damn Izzy, this is gonna be a riot. I’m on drinks, someone get a poker game set up.”

  At the word “poker” all the guys arranged themselves like they’d done it a million times. Cards with her friends could get intense, but these guys would kick her ass.

  They carried on with an ease and routine that reminded her of many nights spent with the girls. “Shit.”

  She scrambled for her phone, the promise to let them know she’d arrived safe struck her a little late. Thankful the guys were busy at the moment, she sent out the first of what would be many mass text messages to the girls.

  Sorry, I know, don’t get mad. I am here. The bus is just leaving now. The guys are all great. All I can say is, wow.

  Send.

  She set her phone on vibrate and scooted over to the seat Cole patted.

  ****

  “Now Izzy, the rules of the game are simple. The losers chug their drink.”

  He leaned in close to whisper the last part in her ear, and she squirmed as if his closeness affected her in a likeable way. Nice. He nudged her and winked, her scent—vanilla—drifted in his direction. He closed his eyes for a brief moment before he glanced around the room and adjusted himself under the table. The brush of his own hand escalated his arousal further, so he searched out the window for a diversion from his lewdness. The usual, a humdrum highway. Crap.

  He hadn’t experienced a strong gravitation to anyone since Alexis. Their relationship had appeared steamy to onlookers, and was, but also full of drama that ended just in time. Isabelle on the other hand, with her sheltered blue eyes, natural blonde hair, and thin but curvy figure—innocent. That he found attractive.

  Fame kept him alert to the possibility women desired the spotlight more than him. Who would believe being known by millions of people could feel so lonely at times? He shook his head to clear the negativity before it creeped in. It would only induce yet another bad mood, and he didn’t want her to see that part of him.

  The tssk of beers opened alerted him back to the room.

  “Didn’t know what your poison was, Izzy.” Brett set a beer down in front of her and smacked the back of Cole’s head on his way to his seat.

  “This is fine, thank you.”

  Brett sat down on the other side of him and wiggled in his seat. “Good, ’cause I always get a hard-on when a woman chugs a beer. Ready to lose, sweetheart?”

  Laughter echoed in the room along with the smack of many high fives. Cole peeked at her. His knee bounced under the table; this was nothing yet. She held her own better than he’d imagined, but something in her eyes surprised him when she shifted back to the others. Defiance maybe?

  “Huh, who knew I’d get to ride in a bus with a bunch of limp dicks, then?”

  Cole laughed, raised his hand to her and she hit it. Hers was small compared to his and so chilled he held on while he lowered them under the table. His fingers laced between hers with ease, something he’d been dying to find out since the airport. How much more of her body could use the warmth of his?

  From the corner of his eye, he glanced at her. She stared down, stock-still, so he let go and took a long drink from his beer, and emptied it.

  Many deals and chugs later, everyone hollered over one another, eager to be the person who took the inappropriate jokes to the next level. Cole raised his eyebrows with his jaw dropped when she gave as good as she got.

  “So Izzy, what’s on this bucket list anyway?” Zander asked and tossed one of many beer tabs down the front of her tank top.

  She dug it out with more forethought about her company than his desperate libido cared for.‌ Her head still down, she scoffed. “Ha, the edited version you read online, or the real one in my back pocket?”

  All movement around the table froze when she revealed the silver tab and squeezed her eyes shut tight. “Shit.”

  She couldn’t shield herself in time before Cole tackled her in the seat. Loud whistles pierced the air when the scuffle resulted in the two tumbling to the floor, him on top of her. It took little effort to pin her down.

  “No fair. You’re bigger.” She squirmed so much he lost his grip on one of her hands. She wiggled and shoved it underneath her butt.

  “Yes, I am.” Cole winked, scooped her wrist in time and slid both up, over her head. The quick motion drew her scent to his nose. He leaned in and inhaled deeper into her neck. A quiet moan escaped her lips.

  There wasn’t an inch of him that didn’t touch her, the bulge in the front of his pants included. If he had to guess, Izzy was just as aroused, and so wet he could slide right into her channel. Her breath caught when he pressed forward, and moaned so low only she could hear. ‌The pulse at her wrist raced in his grip, and when he held them both down tight in one hand, it damn near exploded. He affected her the same way she did him, and now he held the proof.

  Cole used his free hand to roam down her arm. Her skin glided under his like silky cream and the urge to bend forward for a lick controlled him. How far will she let this go? He stared into her eyes, waited for her to stop him; she didn’t.

  “I give up.” She panted and relaxed her body beneath him.

  He continued downward with his fingertips, along the side of her soft breast and ribcage. Her neckline tugged with it, revealed more of Isabelle’s skin. “Me too.”

  Rather than get caught up on the swell of her breast, Cole drifted his hand underneath her lower back and lifted her into him, but their clothes made it impossible to sink into her heat the way he needed. His head buzzed on alcohol, but Izzy under him like this was a whole new kind of drunk.

  His body responded without control, and he thrust his hips for friction. He loved the soft curve of her body, the way she reacted to his silent commands.

  He couldn’t believe this was happening but wasn’t ready to stop it either. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d taken a woman in front of the guys. However, she deserved better. He respected her. Guilt now in place, he squeezed his eyes closed and held his breath, avoiding her lush scent.

  In one quick motion, he swept his hand under her, and hurried into her back pocket. The wrong pocket. The curve of her cheek warmed his hand. An invitation to stay longer is how he interpreted it, so he gave it a gentle squeeze. He stilled his movements, gave her a chance to reject his advances before he moved in for the other pocket.

  Nothing.

  Her gaze tested
him, as if she not only dared him to go for it, but welcomed him to. When Cole pressed into her in order to extend further for her other pocket, she wrapped her leg around his ass and guided him. He touched his forehead to hers and growled. They both breathed heavily, their faces so close he could feel her breath on his lips and her breasts against his chest.

  “Ahem”

  The lure of Isabelle’s scent intoxicated him beyond comprehension, over and above his ability to abide Drew’s subtle caution. Just one taste would do. Her eyes were still closed, so he shifted his body and pressed into her to gain access to the other pocket.

  His lips brushed against her neck and the reason for their tumble was lost to him. He inched his tongue out and skimmed her neck for a delicate taste. Her whole body quivered. She was sweet, gave him more satisfaction in that one second than years of hidden cookies in his bunk. She should be in his bunk right now, under the sheets, under him.

  His body heat rose, and the trust he had in his own resistance broke. The urge to rip her clothes off overwhelmed him. If he didn’t end this now…he’d take her. He swiped the paper out of the other pocket, forced himself up, and collapsed on the couch. The cold seat warmed to his temperature in record time, and his breath came out in pants.

  He didn’t care to exchange witty comebacks with the guys; the paper and what she held back intrigued him. Curious to know what other hopes he could help her with, he leaned back and read the list before one of the guys could rip it from his hands.

  He lowered it in his lap, once again aroused beyond belief, and stared down at the blush that covered her skin. The absence of his heat hadn’t hit her yet, or she couldn’t make herself forget.

  His eyebrow raised at Drew, standing over her with his hand held out, and a grin on his face. “Still need a moment, or can I help you up?”

  “Ugh.” She threw her arms over and slammed them on the floor beside her squeezed thighs, accepted his help up, and swayed on her feet. Her complexion varied between pale white and green. She covered her mouth, and her eyes widened. Drew let her shove past him to run to the bathroom.

  Cole sat there frozen and read the list several times. He couldn’t believe this beautiful, innocent woman’s desires matched all the scenes that played through his head, only moments ago.

  Someone grabbed the paper from him before he could fight back and keep it for his eyes only.

  “Share dipshit. The grin on your face tells us there are some very impressive items on the list.” Zander laughed while he and Brett sat far enough away they could read the list while Drew held Cole’s arms back. The men’s eyes opened wide, reflecting Cole’s from seconds ago, only their jaws also hung open.

  Brett fanned his face with the paper. “Holy fuck, not so goodie, goodie is she?” He contemplated Cole’s reaction with a devilish grin. “Do you think she’d let me help her out with number thirteen? You know I have a thing for a hot tight hole.”

  Cole jumped, cleared the table between them, and grabbed the hat off Brett’s head to hit him with. He ripped the paper away. “We all know you like ass, man or woman. Lay a hand on her and I will shove the closest object up yours.”

  The three men sat back in their seats in silence and gaped anywhere but at him.

  Where the fuck did that come from?

  ****

  Isabelle flushed the toilet. A cold sweat along with goose bumps broke out over her skin. She searched the tiny bathroom until she found toothpaste and used her finger to scrub the fuzz from her mouth. With her back against the wall, she slid down until her butt hit the floor and wrapped her arms around her knees. She closed her eyes with a sigh and let her head fall back to the tile wall.

  Girl’s poker nights did not prepare her for a night with experienced drinkers. In only a matter of hours, she’d second-guessed her bucket list, well, several times. Now they were out there with her most secret desires, the ones that were difficult to share with her friends, who’d known her a hell of a lot longer.

  A light tap sounded at the door. She groaned and put her head down on her knees. If she ignored them, they’d get the point.

  The tap continued.

  “Ugh, clearly they aren’t bright as they are talented.” She squirmed up off the floor and cringed at her reflection in the mirror. “Not even with a miracle.” She whipped the door open to see Cole, and what appeared to be guilt on his face, along with water and acetaminophen in his hands.

  “Sorry. I didn’t know if it was nerves or the beer. Are you all right?”

  She dropped her gaze to his large hands, and chuckled when the tattoos up his arms revealed something other than the gentleness in his palms. “Thank you, Cole, maybe a little of both. I’m such a dork. If you guys don’t mind, I am just going to call it a night.”

  Rather than relinquish the pills, he held them and rested his hand in hers. A current she couldn’t describe passed through their contact. She didn’t give in to it again, just pried the pills from his fingers and squeezed by him. Every bunk in the aisle mirrored the next. Her stomach fluttered again as she dragged her feet and inspected the curtains, which all displayed the same solid charcoal grey color. She didn’t realize he’d followed her until the warm solid body collided into her back when she stopped.

  He latched onto her hips with his large masculine hands to prevent another tumble. “Careful, sweetheart. Let me get that for you.”

  He extended around her with one hand while his other remained on her hip and wrenched back the curtain to her bunk. She twisted back with a smile, and her breath stalled mid inhale. The proximity of his lips to hers created a surge of attraction she’d ignore, if that were possible. When her gaze lowered to his lips, his noticeable desire nudged her behind, and the memory of their earlier X-rated scuffle rose. Her pulse raced. They leaned into one another like a magnet that found its counterpart, on the verge of a kiss when reality hit. She squirmed out of his hold and climbed into her bunk.

  “Thanks again, Cole, you really don’t have to take care of me. Please don’t let my presence get in the way of what you guys do.” With a shaky hand, she closed the curtain, thankful for the barrier that separated her from him, and the attraction that grew stronger with every glance. If one day with these guys unraveled her, she didn’t know if she could survive a full week.

  She stared at the closed curtain and strained to listen for his retreat. He released a loud exhale of breath, and his footfalls hesitated before they moved away. She too exhaled when she was certain he was out of earshot. With a devious smile, she changed into her Jake Owen concert tee. What would they say if they found out her preferred music?

  Her pants vibrated as she folded them. She whipped the pants in every direction, and scrambled for her phone before the ignored text messages resulted in an actual call she’d have to whisper through.

  Izzy, we are dying here. Or are you already being ravished? LOL Luv u, Katherine

  I know it’s only your first day, but do you know where Drew’s tattoo leads to yet? Luv Taryn

  Send me a picture to gawk at please? Work is boring today. Abby

  She tapped the phone with her nail and bit her lip. Should she tease them a little?

  Ladies, chill. Drinking, poker, fondling, and puking. I am so out of my element. Passing out now…

  They would be drawn to fondling, so she loaded the three contact numbers, sent the text, and stuffed the now muted phone in her bag.

  Drunken nights with the girls exhausted her, made it quite easy to pass out before her head hit the pillow. A restful night of sleep after all that’d happened with him was beyond possible. Her mind replayed the night like one of her favorite love songs on repeat. The weight and warmth of his body on top of her sparked an addiction she couldn’t satisfy.

  She rummaged for the journal Abigail insisted on and sat with it in her lap. The tiny space, and all it had to offer, held her attention as she tapped the pen on the hard covered book. She had her own mini TV up in the corner and a light that offered more than e
nough visibility in the dark. The little bit of anxiety about the trip eased. She could escape the trivial times, or hide, since she was prone to unintentional falters of embarrassment. A family trait inherited well.

  ****

  She closed the book and hesitated. If they found it, would they read it? A lock might be nice, just in case. The men were quiet, only the faint hum of Derek’s music from the front of the bus. And a few snores. They must have gone to bed while she wrote, so now should be a good time to sneak out to the bathroom before she slept. She peeled the curtain back slow, every little sound echoed.

  She flopped over onto her stomach, and lowered from the bunk with a wiggle of her foot in search of support from Cole’s bunk. She didn’t want to wake him, so the second her toe touched down she hurried but slipped.

  “Eeek!”

  Without luck, she grasped at the mattress with one hand and covered her mouth with the other. A large, warm grip caught her thigh, and slid farther up her shirt while she continued to tumble. A deep growl snapped her attention forward, right into his eyes. Only, they weren’t on hers. She followed his gaze down to his hand at her waist where it held up her T-shirt, and revealed her lacy red panties.

  The image of him using his strength to lure her into his bunk crossed her mind. Within seconds, her panties were wet, and her breathing became shallow. She squeezed her eyes closed and whispered, “I’m fine now, Cole, you can let go.”

  “Izzy.” He panted and rubbed his thumb over her waist. She could sense he held on by a thread. Liked it. He let her drop to the floor and glanced away for a moment, cleared his throat, and then gave her a childlike grin. “Sorry about the slight fondle.” He winked. “Well, no, I’m not actually but, really Izzy?”

  She raised her eyebrows and followed his pointed finger.

  “Don’t let the guys catch you wearing that. They will rip it off for reasons other than what’s going through my mind right now.”

  With a seductive sway of her hips and a giggle under her breath, she strolled to the bathroom. “Cole Davies, I am not sure you men would know what to do with me once you got this shirt off.”