Текст книги "Deal Breakers"

Автор книги: Laura Lee

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 2 (всего у книги 12 страниц)

DEVYN

EVERY YEAR, I COME back home the week before fall semester begins to visit my parents’ graves. This year, Riley insisted on making the trip with me. We step through the wrought iron gates of Rogue Valley Cemetery and make our way over to an old oak tree.  A light breeze floats through the air carrying the scents of nearby rose bushes and an impending storm.

I kneel down and lovingly trace the dates on the simple, flat stones marking their graves. My mom was only thirty-eight when she died and my dad was forty-six. They both had so much life to live but God had other plans for them, I guess. “Hi, Mom and Dad."

Riley lowers himself to the ground and takes my hand, silently urging me to continue.

I nod towards Rye. “This is Riley. My friend from school that I was telling you about.” I look into his eyes and smile. “My best friend. We’re about to start our third year of college. I can’t believe we’re already halfway done. Before you know it, I’ll be taking the marketing world by storm with my brilliant ad campaigns and Riley will be a jet designer extraordinaire.”

Riley smiles and squeezes my hand. “You know it.”

I look back towards their graves and sniff back a tear. “I miss you both so much every day. I miss this town. I know you wanted me to follow in your footsteps and attend SOU but I just couldn’t be here every day, being reminded of everything that I’ve lost. I hope you’re proud of me, even if I am a Duck now.” I look back at Riley. “I have to believe that’s what I was meant to be. I wouldn’t have Riley if I wasn’t at U of O. I don’t know if I could’ve made it through the past two years without him.”

Riley pulls me into a side hug and kisses the top of my head. “Do you mind if I say something?”

I wrap my arm around his torso and hug him tighter. “Not at all.”

He clears his throat. “Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Summers. I know we haven’t officially met, but Devyn’s told me a lot about you. You raised the most incredible person I know and I wanted to thank you for bringing her into this world. I don’t know what I’d do without her and I promise I’ll take care of her. Hell, I’m even letting her drag me to a play tonight. That should tell you how invested I am in our girl here. I don’t willingly watch men in tights spit all over each other for just anyone.”

My sobs fall away as my laughter takes over. I love that he can cheer me up so easily. No one has ever been able to do so like he can. “Thank you, Rye.”

He squeezes me into him. “Cometh, milady. Let’s go see if you can change my mind about this festival.”

RILEY

FROM FEBRUARY THROUGH OCTOBER, the town of Ashland is taken over by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. They boast three theaters, rotating eleven plays throughout each season. While they also offer non-Shakespeare works, my mom would never consider attending anything that wasn’t written by the festival’s namesake himself. I’ve never been much of a fan, but Devyn apparently shares the same passion for good ol’ William.

We’re seeing Antony and Cleopatra tonight in the outdoor Elizabethan theater. Our seats are in the balcony so we have a perfect view of the pink and purple sky as the sun sets behind the mountains. I’m honestly not paying much consideration to the actors; I’m much more interested in the woman beside me. Every once in a while, Devyn looks over and catches me staring at her. She simply smiles and returns her eyes to the stage. I don’t think she has any clue that I’m studying her so closely. She watches with rapt attention for hours as Mark Antony repeatedly neglects his soldierly duties after being beguiled by the Queen of Egypt. Blah, blah, blah, battles are waged. Blah, blah, blah, they both die in the end. Typical tragedy.

The full gamut of emotions runs over her face as she sits there, enraptured by the story. I’m seeing another side of her tonight. She’s normally just one of the guys—albeit, in a hot chick’s body, but still one of the guys. She’s totally into sports, hanging out, drinking beer, eating pizza, shooting pool…you know, normal dude stuff. Right now, I’m seeing the cultured, sophisticated, feminine person that lies beneath the surface. Trust me, my dick is aware of her womanly parts at all times, especially when she’s wearing a dress like she is tonight, but I’ve never seen her in this light before today. I’m itching to find out more about this Devyn.

I realize the play is over as Devyn stands. “Riley, are you coming?”

I get out of my seat and take the hand she is offering. We filter out of the theater and begin walking around the town square. She hasn’t pulled her hand away yet and I’m not complaining.

“Care to commemorate your visit to our festival?”

Devyn stops mid-stride as the street vendor asks his question. “I’m sorry, were you talking to us?”

The robust man in full costume holds up his camera. “Milady, I’d be honored to take a picture of such a lovely couple.” He gestures to the wooden kiosk that holds several mementos available for purchase. “Perhaps you’d like to take home a framed photo? We also offer magnets and key chains if you’d like something smaller.”

She blushes. “Oh, right. Um…we aren’t a couple. We’re just friends.”

The vendor looks at our joined hands. “My apologies for the error, milady. Perhaps a photo between friends, then?”

She follows his gaze and pulls out of my grip. “Oh, uh…no, thank you.”

I awkwardly put my hands in my pockets as we start walking again. “You feel like walking for a while before we head back to the hotel?”

“Sure.” She holds out her hand and smiles. “Screw it. Who said friends can’t hold hands?”

I smirk as I take my hand out of my pocket and link our fingers together. “Not me.”

She squeezes my fingers. “Me neither.”

As we stroll through a large park I ask, “So, what did you think of the play?”

Her face lights up. “Oh, I loved it! I think they did such a good job! I’ve never seen that particular one before. It was beautiful…I think Cleopatra is definitely one of Shakespeare’s more complex characters. You feel empathy for her one minute, but then hate her in the next. Ya know? What did you think? Was the festival better than you remembered?”

I pull her arm and jerk her into my body. “No offense to my mom, but the company was definitely better this time around.”

She tucks her chin. We’re so close that I can feel the rapid beat of her heart. Her breath catches when her tits brush against my chest. I’m not positive, but I think I see her nipples poking out. Fuck me, but my dick just became rock hard thinking about it. We stand facing each other, chest to chest, just breathing without a word. Oh fuck it, I think before taking one step closer so she can feel the evidence of how she affects me.

Devyn gasps and tilts her face up. “Riley, what are—”

I put my index finger on her lips to silence her protest. “Shhh. I just need to see something.”

I lean down slowly towards her mouth. I don’t know why I’m about to cross this line after two years of a strictly platonic—okay, mostly platonic—relationship, but I can’t seem to stop myself. She holds herself completely still waiting for me to make my move. I need to know if she’s feeling what I’m feeling. I don’t even know how to articulate exactly what I’m feeling right now, but it’s definitely something.

She turns her face away right before our lips touch. “It’s starting to rain.”

I pull back and shake my head to clear the fog. “Huh?”

She looks up towards the sky and wipes a raindrop off her forehead. “The storm is rolling in. We’d better start walking back before it gets too bad.”

“Right,” I say.

We’re a block away from my truck when the sky opens up. We start running through the downpour. Devyn squeals as the drops become heavier and heavier. Suddenly she stops and turns around to face me. She gets this big smile on her face, holds her arms out wide and spins in circles repeatedly. She tilts her face up to the sky as she twirls and laughs.

“What’s so funny?”

“This rain is ridiculous! We’re soaked! I figured there’s no point in running from it so why not enjoy it?”  She begins turning in circles again, laughing like a loon. She’s fucking gorgeous.

Without any further thought, I advance upon her and back her into the side of my truck. Surprise has made her laughter fall silent immediately. I can see the wheels turning in her mind trying to process what’s happening. She pulls out of my hold and takes three steps to the side. “Riley, what are you doing?”

Okay, I’m trying not to be a dick here but that’s kind of hard —pun intended—to do when her pink sundress is soaking wet and plastered to her body. The streetlight above is shining brightly so I can clearly see every curve on her body. She’s wearing a lacy bra and I swear to God her nipples are taunting me saying, “Touch me! Suck me! Lick me!”

She crosses her arms over her chest. “Riley! Stop staring at my boobs!”

I throw my hands up in frustration. “Tell your boobs to stop staring at my eyes!”

She looks down and notices how transparent her dress is. “Oh my God, I might as well be naked! I can’t believe this is happening right now.” She puts her hand on the passenger door. “Can we please just go?”

I pull my keys out of my pocket and hit the button to unlock the door. She climbs in before I have a chance to open it for her. I walk around to the other side and get behind the wheel. I turn the ignition and crank the heat. She’s holding her hands against the vent as I fumble behind me looking for the sweatshirt I had in the backseat. I finally find it and hold it out towards her.

She grabs it and starts pulling it around her shoulders. After zipping it up to the neck she says, “Thanks.”

“No prob.” I put the truck into gear and pull onto the road. “Devyn, I don’t know what just almost happened back there, but I think we need to talk about it.”

She groans. “Can we please just forget it ever happened?”

I look over towards her and raise my eyebrows. “Really? Is that what you really want?”

She sighs. “Yeah, I do. It was stupid.”

I frown. “Stupid?”

She pushes her wet hair out of her face. “Yeah, completely stupid. I was emotional from earlier, and well, you’re a dude. My dress is totally see-through and you reacted like any straight guy would. It’s no big deal.”

I’m about to point out that I almost kissed her before her dress was clinging to her body but she gives me this pleading look as if she’s begging me to drop it. “You’re probably right. I was thinking with my other head for a second there. Sorry about that. It’s totally no big deal.” I laugh to emphasize the breeziness of my statement.

She laughs with me. “Right.”

DEVYN

I GULP NERVOUSLY. “OKAY, here's the thing. I'm a virgin. And you need to relieve me of that."

Riley sprays beer from his mouth all over the table. "The fuck you say?"

I steel my nerves and grab a napkin to start wiping up the mess he made. "We're graduating next week. I can't move to Portland, officially starting my adult life, without having had sex."

Riley gapes at me, speechless. "How in the hell are you still a virgin? You're twenty-two! More importantly, how the fuck have I not known that when we've been together practically every day for the past four years?"

I sigh, dreading this part of the conversation that I inevitably knew was coming. "Look, I know I'm not your type, but I figured since you've screwed practically every vagina in Eugene since freshman year you wouldn't be so opposed to throwing me a bone. It's not a big deal. I'm not asking you to marry me. Or even date me. I just want one night of sex from someone who knows what they're doing, so I can finally understand what the big deal is. You're the only one I trust, Rye." I grab his hand and look at him pleadingly. "I figured we could do it this weekend when you help me move."

RILEY

I TAKE A LONG pull from my bottle. Then another. And another. I can’t believe what’s happening right now. How can the hottest girl I’ve ever known be a virgin? And what the fuck did she mean she wasn't my type? She's EVERY guy's type. Has she been avoiding mirrors her entire life? She has legs that go on for miles, perfectly rounded tits, and an ass that was made to be grabbed. All of that with the face of an angel. A Victoria’s Secret angel. Even if she didn't look like a supermodel, her personality would win over any guy with half a brain. She's perfectly happy hanging out at The Duck Pond for hours watching a game. She couldn’t care less about shopping, or getting her nails done, or all that other girly shit. She's definitely all woman and sexy as hell, but it's effortless for her.

Okay, so maybe she has no clue that almost every dude at U of O has the hots for her, but never in a million years would I have expected this. I'd be all up in that shit if she hadn't friend-zoned me on the first day we met. Initially, I wasn't going to give up, but the more I got to know her, the more I didn't want to risk our friendship by pushing for more. We had a few near slips over the years, but I managed to keep it in my pants which for me, is a pretty big feat. And now she’s asking me for it? Am I dreaming?

How in the hell is she still a virgin? She's dated guys throughout school. Hasn't she? I think for a minute. Yeah, she has! There’s been at least a handful that I can think of. Then there was that one guy from sophomore year that hung around for a while. What was his name again? Oh yeah, Brian!

"What about Brian?" I ask. "You dated him for like six months."

Devyn rolls her eyes. "Please, Rye, Brian is a walking stereotype! I didn’t see it at the time, but I was totally his cover girlfriend until he was ready to come out of the closet. He broke up with me for someone named Michael, for Christ's sake! And I'm going to their wedding next month! How could you have missed that?"

What? "Shit, I thought you said Michelle." I start rubbing the back of my neck. "Now that you mention it though, it was pretty obvious. Damn! How did I miss that?"

Devyn laughs. "No clue...you were probably too consumed with picking out the lucky brunette of the month."

I scowl. "Hey, I'm not that bad!"

Devyn laughs even harder. "Oh, please! You are such a man whore! But that's okay given the circumstances. I know you're the right person for this. I don't want to lose my V-card to just anyone. I've messed around with guys before but I always thought that final moment should be with someone that I was in love with. Since that hasn't happened, I'm okay with it being someone that I trust. You're the only guy who fits that description for me, Rye. And like I said earlier, your bedroom skills are legendary. I want my first time to be good. I want it to be with you. Besides, you kinda owe me."

I smile at her comment about my skills. I can’t help myself. I do know my way around a woman's body. And I know that women talk. I count on it, actually, which is why I haven't had to ask anyone out in years. They all come on to me because they hear the rumors and want to see firsthand if they're true. And I’m usually more than happy to oblige. I never really cared that they didn't stick around long enough to get to know me. Devyn knew the real me and that was good enough. All those other women thought I was just a body. Devyn knows my mind. Now that I think about it, she's the only woman not related to me who knows that I’m a certified genius, not the dumb jock they all assumed. Hell, I’m graduating with high honors next week and headed to Boston for my Masters in Aerospace Engineering. The average Joe can't claim that.

I start to seriously consider her proposal. Can I do this? Can I worship her glorious body and, let's be honest here, probably ruin her for any guy that would come after me, and then pretend it never happened? Go back to being just friends? If we weren't about to move three thousand miles away from each other, I'd say it was impossible. As it stands, it seems quite possible. Maybe it’s just my dick talking, but this idea of hers sounds better and better with each passing second. Wait a minute…did she just say I owe her?

“Owe you for what?”

She rolls her eyes. “Part of the reason I’m in this predicament is because I’ve spent almost every day over the past four years with you. Every guy I’ve liked, besides Brian, backed off once they found out about you. I never got past a few dates with any of them. They all thought we were an item or something. No one ever believed me when I said we were just friends.”

Okay, so maybe I had a word or two with these guys. And maybe I led them to believe that Devyn was off limits. I’m pleading the fifth.

"So to be clear, you want me to have sex with you. For one night and one night only. No strings attached, no emotions, just sex so you can turn in your V-card, as you call it. Afterwards, we pretend as if it never happened and go back to normal?"

Devyn nods and chews her bottom lip.

"I need to hear the words, Dev."

She holds her chin up. "Yes. Just sex. No strings. Afterwards, best buds like always. Do we have a deal?"

I smile bigger than I probably ever have before. "Deal."

DEVYN

WE MAKE THE THREE hour drive north to Portland along Interstate-5. I’m super nervous about this weekend but Riley hasn’t brought it up so I can’t seem to either. Did he change his mind? God, I hope not. I’m starting a highly sought after paid internship next month at a huge marketing firm. The owner of the agency and the founder of Nike were both U of O alums. They open one slot every year for a graduating student. I worked my butt off creating mock ups for Nike’s new children’s line. Out of over three hundred applicants, they picked me. Now for the next year of my life, I get to learn from some of the best in the industry. I feel like everything is falling into place perfectly according to plan. Everything except my love life, anyway. And I’m honestly okay with that—I wouldn’t have time for a relationship right now. But let’s face it. Sex sells. It’s huge in the marketing world and I can pretend all day long but I know I’ll never truly get it until I experience it for myself. I know Riley is the right person to help me with my little dilemma. I don’t know what I’m going to do if he backs out.

“Why are you fidgeting so much over there?” Riley asks.

I look down and notice that I’m wringing my hands incessantly. I decide to bite the bullet and talk about the elephant in the room. Or the car, rather.

“Did you change your mind?” I ask.

“About what? Helping you move? It’s a little late now, don’t ya think, considering we’re only a few minutes outside of town?”

Oh no! Maybe he forgot about our deal! That’s even worse than him changing his mind. I clear my throat. “No…um, not about helping me move. Which I appreciate very much, if I haven’t mentioned that already. About…the other thing.”

He raises one eyebrow and smirks. “The other thing?”

I throw my hands up in exasperation, now knowing he’s just screwing with me. “Oh God, Riley! Are you really going to make me say it? The deal we made…to you know, have sex.”

He gives me that devastating smile that showcases his dimples. “Oh, the deal. No, I definitely haven’t changed my mind about that.”

I sink into my chair, trying to hide my discomfort. “Oh. Good.”

He grabs my hand and squeezes. “Baby, I promise to make it much better than good.”

I roll my eyes, pulling my hand away. “Gah! How many women have you said that to?” He manages to look a little embarrassed. “Don’t forget who you’re talking to, Rye. I’ve seen too many women fall victim to that panty-melting grin and your charming ways. That crap doesn’t work on me.” Not really, anyway.

His smile gets even bigger. “You think my smile melts panties, huh?”

I try to hide my grin but fail miserably. “You know what I mean. Just don’t try to dress this up into something it’s not. Okay? After we unload the car, you and I will have sex real quick, and then it’ll be back to the same ol’ same ol’. We can grab some burgers and beer afterwards. It’s no big deal. Really.”

He shakes his head. “Nuh uh. I didn’t agree to that. If we do this, Devyn, we do it on my terms.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means,” he replies as he pulls off the freeway leading us into the heart of Portland’s Pearl District, “that if we do this…no, scratch that. When we do this, I’m in charge. And ‘real quick’, ain’t gonna happen, sweetheart.”

“Domineering much? I didn’t say I wanted to explore S&M.”

His eyes glitter with…lust? No, that can’t be right. “I wasn’t talking about anything kinky.” He wiggles his eyebrows. “Well, nothing too kinky.  What I’m trying to say is that this will not be a wham, bam, thank you ma’am sort of thing. No way. If that’s what you want, I’m out.”

Wait…what? “Huh? I’m confused.”

He pulls into the parking garage beneath my new apartment building. Thankfully he’s been here once before when I signed the lease so I don’t have to direct him with my befuddled brain. Grabbing my hand again he says, “Devyn, I’m not going to be an asshole who just takes pleasure for himself. This is your first time. You said yourself you wanted it to feel good which is partly why you chose me. I’m going to make sure that happens. That’s not going to be possible unless you’re loosened up beforehand.”

“Okay…and how do we accomplish that?”

He pulls into a spot near the elevator and puts the car in park. “You just leave that to me, baby.”

Call the panty fire department…there’s that grin again!

RILEY

“YOU JUST LEAVE THAT to me, baby.” Okay, I know that was a cheesy line but if the blush staining her cheeks is any indication…I’d say I’m peaking her interest. But damn, does she really think so little of me that she actually believes I’d rid her of her pesky virginity and just walk away? The last time I was with a virgin was when I was a virgin, but the one thing I learned from that flop is that it is not comfortable when a woman loses hers. I was a sixteen-year-old punk back then who had no idea what he was doing. I still harbor guilt for not knowing beforehand that a woman needs to be well prepared for sex, especially if she’s never done it before.

I’m going to make damn sure I don’t repeat that mistake again. Devyn is going to be seduced. And not in a creepy, take advantage kind of way. I mean she’s going to be wined and dined, and when the time comes to remove our clothes, she will be worshipped. I will make her body feel so good by the time we’re done that she will never be able to have sex again without comparing it to our time together. Okay, so technically I’ll be walking away afterwards since I’m moving to Boston next week, but it’s not like we won’t talk or visit each other as often as possible. She’ll continue being my best friend only she’ll know what I looked like naked once upon a time. See? Totally different.

“Seriously, how do we accomplish that?” she insists. “I’m a planner; you know this. My brain doesn’t like spontaneity.”

I laugh. She really is a Type A personality but it’s adorable as hell. “Well, too bad. I made the plans for this weekend, and your brain is just going to have to handle going with the flow.”

“You made plans?”

I narrow my eyes at her. “Well, you don’t have to sound so shocked.”

She starts wringing her hands again. “Quite frankly, I am.”

“Why?”

“Well, you’re the one doing me a favor here. Why would you need to plan anything extra?”

I roll my eyes. “Having sex with you won’t exactly be a hardship, Dev. Have you looked in a mirror lately?”

There goes the blush again. “You think I’m pretty?”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I scoff in disbelief. “You’re easily the hottest chick I know.”

“But…”

“But what?” I press.

“But, you normally date brunettes. Petite, perky brunettes.”

“So?”

“So? Well, I’m blonde for one. And gangly. And certainly nowhere near perky.”

Wow, how the hell did she ever develop this complex? Time to start the seduction and set the record straight. Grabbing her hand, I bring her index finger to my lips. “For one, who gives a fuck what color your hair is?” Kiss. “All I care about is that it’s long enough to wrap around my fist when I’m fucking you senseless. Two,” I grab the next finger and briefly pull the tip into my mouth. “You’re tall, not gangly.  I’m fairly certain every dude you’ve ever met has imagined those long legs wrapped around his hips… or better yet, hanging over his shoulders while he’s tasting you.” Loving the darkened blush on her cheeks I add, “I certainly know I have more than once.”

Oh, yes, she’s definitely getting warmed up now; the flush has spread across her collarbone. Not being strong enough to resist, I lean over and nip that sweet spot where her neck meets her shoulder and grin when I feel her shiver. Good to know she’s not as immune as she claims. “And three,” I’m kissing up her neck now… “Perky is annoying. Nobody is naturally perky all the time which means those girls that I date are fake. You’re real, Devyn. What you see is what you get and there is nothing sexier than a woman who’s not afraid to be herself.”

While I’m kissing her jawbone she pants, “Riley, what are you doing?”

I grin against her cheek. “I’m seducing you.”

She gasps. “Why?” She chuckles a little in an effort, I think, to conceal her obvious nervousness. “I’m a sure thing.”

I grab her face with both hands, forcing her to look at me. “Because you deserve to be seduced. And I’m talking full-scale seduction here. Never settle for anything less, Devyn. Before we do this, you have to promise me that. That you will never settle.”

Her eyes bulge slightly. “What did you just say?”

“Promise me that you’ll never settle, Devyn. Never sell yourself short and settle for someone out of comfort or obligation. Make sure that when you do settle down one day it’s with someone who knows your worth and makes you feel everything you’re supposed to feel with the person you spend the rest of your life with.”

“I promise,” she whispers.