By the time, I exit the bathroom I’ve done everything but put my clothes on. I notice that Shelby has left a dress on my bed for me to wear. It’s navy blue and has a halter neckline that fastens high in the back. I’m so glad it has a built in bra because this dress is backless, so there’s no way to wear one and with my sizeable chest, I can’t really go without one. I’m feeling pretty skeptical just standing here looking at the dress she chose, but I will reserve judgment for when I see it on me. She also pulled my shiny red stilettos out of my closet and a small red leather clutch. I notice she didn’t choose my underwear for me and I’m sure that’s because she thinks I should go without. No thanks. This dress is fairly short and I don’t need my va-jay-jay showing at some inopportune time. When is it really an opportune time to flash it in public, though?
I shimmy on some black, satin, seamless boy shorts before pulling on the dress. I love these panties. They don’t show under your clothes, so no worries about “visible panty lines” or “not getting laid lines” as Shelby calls them. I fasten the halter top on the back of my neck and smooth the soft jersey like material down my hips, before putting my heels on. I always wait till my shoes are on before looking in my full-length mirror. I have to make sure the extra height of the stilettos isn’t going to raise the hemline up too much. I like the way the dress looks from the front. The length is only to mid-thigh, but it’s flattering on my short frame. I turn to get the side and back views before deciding that I’m going to wear it. Shelby will be thrilled. She loves to dress me up when we go out and sometimes I refuse just to piss her off. Tonight it seems like less work to just go with what she picked than to have to find something else to wear. I add some dangly silver earrings and clasp a silver bracelet on my wrist before shutting my bedroom light off and closing the door behind me.
Shelby is standing in the kitchen sucking back more wine when she notices me.
“Holy shit Hailey. You are seriously hot.” I self-consciously look down at what I’m wearing.
“Are you sure I don’t look to Hoochie mama in this? The skirt feels really short.”
“The skirt length is sexy, Hailey. You have amazing long legs. You need to show them off.”
“I just feel like I might be showing off too many of my assets in this dress,” I tell her, gesturing at my butt and boobs.
“Haven’t you heard of that saying - when you got it flaunt it? What’s the point of having it if you’re not using it?” I laugh at her answer because it is typical Shelby logic and only makes sense in her warped mind.
“Shelb, let’s go before I chicken out and stay home instead.”
“Okay, chickie let’s go paint the town my favorite color, Ring Around His Dick Red.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
June 2015 - Cory
It’s Friday night and I’m out with my boys. We haven’t been out together since that last night we met up at Big D’s. The same night that I had to suffer through watching Hailey and Marcus dry humping on the dance floor. Yeah, that night. I was planning on staying home and feeling sorry for myself until I got the call from Jake. He basically told me I had no choice and I had to come out with him, Brian and Tom. Now that I’m out with them, I’m glad I decided to listen to him. It’s nice to just sit here and chill with the guys and not have to think about how horrible my week ended. If given the option, I would have preferred somewhere quieter and less of a meat market, but Jake picked Divine, a new club that just opened, last week. None of us has been here before and it’s definitely catering to a younger crowd. At almost thirty-one years of age, I feel like my clubbing days are over or should be.
We’re seated at a high, round table in the general vicinity of the bar. We have a clear view of the dance floor so there’s no lack of dirty commentary coming from Jake. Six months ago I’d have probably been right there with him but the new and improved me can’t seem to think of anyone as sexy, anyone besides Hailey, that is. No matter how hard I try not to or tell myself I won’t think of her, my thoughts always seem to drift to her. I smile at the thought of how ridiculously in love with her, I am. I really need to have a talk with Jake about my feelings for her. He’s going to flip, but he’d flip more if I don’t tell him and he finds out on his own. I know I acted coldly towards Hailey the last couple of days this week, but I wanted her to understand how upsetting her actions were. I didn’t want to make light of them. She needed to see that there’s more to me than flirting and joking. I also had a lot on my mind with a case I was working on. My job can be pretty demanding and I put a lot of pressure on myself to win my cases. When I see her on Monday, I plan on explaining it all to her. I don’t want her to think my feelings for her have changed or that I run hot and cold. I’m in love with her and that isn’t ever going to change.
I decide to go for it and talk to Jake now since I don’t know when I will get another opportunity. I tap him on the arm and wait for him to turn his head and look at me.
“I need to tell you something and I don’t think you’re going to be happy about it.”
“What’s up man?” Jake says, a crease of worry forming between his brows. I spin my beer bottle between both my hands a few times, trying to get my words organized in my head.
“I’m in love with Hailey.” I spit out before looking over at Jake.
“What?” He asks incredulously. I don’t blame him for being surprised or thinking he must have heard me wrong.
“I’m in love with Hailey. I have been for years now.”
“Seriously? My sister Hailey?” He enquires, cocking an eyebrow at me.
“I’m being totally serious dude. I am head over heels in love with her. I have been for a really long time now. I decided six months ago that I was going to pursue her this summer at the beach and tell her how I feel, but then she started the internship and seeing her every day has made me realize that I don’t want to wait any longer. I haven’t been with anyone else in over six months now. I wanted her to know how serious my feelings for her are and I wanted to do something that would make me a better person in her eyes. I also, need to feel like I deserve her because a girl like Hailey only comes around once in a lifetime.”
“Wow dude, I had no idea you had feelings for her. I probably would have beat your ass if this was a few years ago, but she’s twenty-three now. How can I tell her who she can date? You do know that if you hurt her, I’m going to fuck you up hard, right?”
“Yeah, dude, that goes without saying. The tough thing is, she just wants to be friends with me for now. I’ll make her change her mind, though... I have to.”
“Well, she just walked in the door with Shelby so you may get your chance,” Jake smirks at me. I whip my head around in the direction of the door so fast I may be suffering from the after-effects of whiplash tomorrow. Holy shit my girl is gorgeous in her tiny blue dress. Oh God, she has on the red fuck me heels. Someday, I promise myself, I’m going to make love to her and make her leave those shoes on. As sexy as they look on her now, they’d look so much hotter wrapped around my back as I make her come.
“Cory, wipe the drool from your mouth dude.” Jake jokes with me. We both laugh about how obvious it was that I was checking her out.
“Did you know that they were coming here tonight?” I ask Jake.
“Yeah, Shelby told me she was dragging my sister’s mopey ass out.”
“What’s up with you and Shelby? I’ve been picking up on a vibe between you guys the last couple times we’ve been out with them.” I watch Jake for a reaction, but he has a pretty good poker face.
“Nothing’s up with her. I’ve been helping her deal with some stuff.” I decide to drop it for now, but I know there’s more to that story.
I look around to see if I can catch sight of Hailey and she is at the far end of the bar ordering drinks with Shelby. Of course, some guy is already sidling up to her. He taps her on the shoulder and leans down to say something in her ear. She looks up at him and shakes her head. I can make out her lips saying no than
ks before she turns and scoots her stool closer to Shelby. The bartender slides their shots over to them, smiling flirtatiously at them both. He leans on the bar towards Hailey and gestures for her to come closer. She complies, standing on the footrest of the barstool she is seated on, leaning her upper body forward, bracing herself on both her arms and giving the bartender an unobstructed shot of her cleavage. He takes the time to really enjoy the view before he whispers in her ear. She shakes her head and he whispers in her ear again. This time, she nods her head and he smiles a shit eating grin at her. Oh hell no, is all I can think as I get up from my seat and push my way through the crowd, towards her. I get there just as the bartender places a fizzy pink concoction in front of her.
“Here you go doll.” He winks before moving on to wait on the next customer. Shelby notices me, now standing behind them and she flashes me a quick smile, before telling Hailey she’ll be right back. I place my palm on Hailey’s naked back as I slide into Shelby’s vacant seat.
“Hey, babe. Fancy meeting you here.” I smile at her. I hope she can tell how happy I am to see her and that I want to forget all about what happened the other day.
“Cory. I didn’t expect to see you here.” She sips her drink, never taking her eyes off me. I can barely form the words to answer her because all I can focus on are her red painted lips wrapped around her straw. After an unnaturally long pause, I answer her.
“Jake threatened to kick my ass if I didn’t come out with the guys. If I had known you were going to be here, I wouldn’t have put up a fight at all.” My hand is still resting on her back and I start to slowly move it up and down, caressing along her spine with just my fingertips. Just this small touch has me fighting for control of my libido. When we do finally come together, it may be the shortest sex I’ve ever had. I’ll be lucky if I can get my dick inside her before I come. Just call me two pump chump.
“Yeah, I got some pressure from Shelby too. She told me I had no choice and it seemed easier to give in than to fight her on it. Once she makes up her mind, she’s more tenacious than a dog with a fresh bone.” She takes another sip of her drink and I have to look away and get some control of myself. She makes me feel like I’m an out of control eighteen-year-old again. I lean in closer to her so I can make sure she hears what I’m about to say.
“I’m glad you’re here. I don’t like the way things have been between us the past couple of days.” I nuzzle my nose beneath her ear and breathe in her soft floral scent. She smells so good I don’t want to move. I want to spend the rest of the night with my nose buried in her neck, but I force myself to move back and not act like a freak.
“I’m glad you’re here too Cory. I feel really bad about what happened the other day. You’re important to me and your feelings matter.”
“I know babe. It wasn’t just what happened with you that had me upset. I was also pissed off about work and I let it affect my mood. Can we forget all about the nonsense and get back to enjoying each other's company?” She nods and smiles at me and it’s like the sun breaking through the clouds for the first time in three days. I reflexively pull her into my arms and rest my cheek on top of her head.
“I missed you so much Hailey.” I slide my fingers under her hair until I’m cradling the back of her head in my hands. I lean in close as if I’m about to kiss her and stop when our lips are only an inch apart, causing her breath to catch with either surprise or desire.
“My day isn’t complete if you’re not a part of it. I need you in my life everyday babe and I hope that doesn’t scare you off. You need to understand how powerful my feelings for you are and they're not going to dissipate or change. I’m not trying to pressure you; I just want to make sure you know where I’m coming from.” I’m losing myself in the bottomless, aquamarine pools she has for eyes. She’s like one of the mythical sirens from Greek mythology, who lure men to their deaths upon the rocky shore, with their singing. Hailey has lured me in with her hypnotic eyes and although it would be the sweetest way to die, I’m hoping for a better outcome.
“I don’t know what to say to all that Cory. Can I have some time to think about it?” I smile at her. I’m glad she is taking what I said seriously enough to ask me for time. That shows me she isn’t just dismissing what I said. I’m probably grasping at straws, but I can’t lose faith now.
“You can take all the time you need babe. I’m not going anywhere. In the meantime, what d’ya say we go show them how it’s done?” I hold out my hand to her and gesture towards the dance floor with my head. She places her hand in mine and slides gracefully off the barstool, before answering me.
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Chapter Forty
June 2015 - Hailey
If anyone told me I would be dancing in Cory’s arms tonight, I would have called them a big fat liar. I’m shocked and pleased with the way this night is going so far. It feels so good to have all the drama from this week over with and now we can focus on our friendship. He told me again that he wants a relationship with me and he said the sweetest things to me. Things I’ve dreamed of hearing from him but never thought I would. Part of me wants to take that leap of faith and give him a chance to prove to me that he means all the things he’s saying. I’m just so scared to get into a relationship with him and have it end poorly. As tempting as the thought of being with Cory is, I’m not sure I can give him another chance.
I also can’t forget about Marcus. I know we’re not in an actual relationship, but I won’t disrespect our friendship by sleeping with someone else while he’s in California. For all, I know he could meet some girl out there that will knock him for a loop and he will forget all about me. Maybe that would be the best thing that could happen to him. It would get him away from my toxic attitude about love. Marcus is the light and I’m the dark. We are opposites in so many ways I don’t think a long-term relationship could really work with us. Sooner or later my darkness would take over some of his lightness and that wouldn’t be fair to Marcus. He has the most beautiful soul of anyone I know and he deserves the best. Cory and I are a lot more alike, but he scares me. The intensity of my feelings for him are intimidating, so for now I’m going to hold him at arm’s length, so to speak. Except for now, when we’re dancing together in the middle of the dance floor at Divine. His hands are on my hips, controlling them as he rubs against my ass repeatedly. I can feel how hard he is every time he pulls me back against him. My arms are wrapped behind his neck as I lean my back into his steel like chest. His hand is sliding dangerously low on my stomach, making me wish he would move it down even more. Without even realizing I’m doing it, I arch my back, pushing my pelvis forward toward his wandering hand. It’s just my body’s natural reaction to his touch and I feel powerless to stop it. If I didn’t have a dress on I think his hand would already be touching me like I’ve dreamed about; so many times. He growls in my ear before spinning me around in his arms, so we are face to face. He pulls my hips into his, rolling his pelvis against mine as he bends down to nibble on my neck. I moan from the contact and grip onto his shoulders.
“I can’t take much more babe. I can feel the heat of you through your dress and it’s driving me crazy.” He sucks on the chord of my neck before biting it, making me jump from the hint of pain.
“Do you like that babe, do you like a little pain with your pleasure? I must love it because being around you is like that for me. You’re my painful pleasure.” His voice is husky in my ear and my senses are on overload from everything that is going on. I need to get away from him before I do something I regret. I push off of his chest and move back from his arms.
“We need to stop this now.” My breathing is fast and shallow with arousal. I’ll see you at work on Monday.” I turn and make my escape away from him as fast as I can. I can’t see Shelby anywhere so I pull out my cell and send her a text that I’m catching a cab home.
When I’m riding in the cab, I get a text from Cory.
Where are you, babe?
He�
��s so sweet. I love how he worries about me.
On my way home in a cab
I would have taken you
I know
Text me when you are home safe
There he is, Mr. bossy.
Please
Aww, he’s so adorable. He’s making it really hard for me to resist him, that’s for sure.
I make it home safely and text him once I’ve changed out of Shelby’s dress. If feels so good to be in my usual nightly uniform of boxers and a tee shirt. I’m a casual girl at heart.
I’m home safe.
G’night, dream of me ;)
***
The next five days pass with what feels like a blink of an eye. I’m so excited because today is the second of July and I am heading to our beach house in Bradburyport, with Cory. For the next four days, I will be a total beach bum and my toes will be in the sand as much as possible. We are leaving straight from the office so I brought my bag with me and Shelby dropped me off this morning, so my car won’t have to be parked in the garage until Monday. We’re taking Cory’s car which makes me happy because I love to ride in it. He has a brand new charcoal gray, Range Rover and it’s fully loaded with all the options. The black leather seats are so soft and comfortable I’m sure I will be asleep as soon as we hit the highway.
We are leaving work earlier than we typically do to avoid traffic. Three o’clock can’t come soon enough and when it finally does, I’m ready to run out the door. I changed out of my skirt and heels into my standard cutoffs, tank top and flip flops. You can take the girl out of the beach, but you can’t take the beach out of the girl. Cory changed into more comfortable clothes too. He has on tan cargo shorts, a navy blue tee and brown docksiders without socks. He always looks sexy in his suits at work, but I prefer him like this and I know he likes to be casual too. His Range Rover is his one indulgence and I know he agonized over spending the money on it. I may have been the final nudge he needed to get him to buy it. I told him he works hard for his money and he shouldn’t feel guilty buying something he really wants. I may have also mentioned how much fun we could have taking road trips in it.
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