It pisses me off to know she’s had to deal with some unsavory situations. I know she can fend for herself, she’s tough and smart and outspoken, but I don’t like that she’s had that responsibility resting on her shoulders. Men can be scum, and it makes me want to prove to her I’m not just another dipshit from her past.
“What about you?” she asks, suddenly turning the line of questioning on me.
“I definitely know my way around a clit. No worries there. It’s all about pressure and speed.”
She barks out a laugh. “No, that’s not what I meant. Surely you’ve got a crazy-ex story of your own.” She’s looking over at me with hopeful eyes, wanting me to take the bait.
Tightening my grip on the steering wheel, I shake my head. “It’s not something I want to talk about.” We’re just starting to get close; I don’t want to scare her away yet with the mountain of baggage I’m pulling along behind me.
“Now or ever?” she asks, her tone filled with curiosity.
Ever. But I’ve just pried into her past, and withholding my own isn’t exactly fair. “Now,” I settle on.
“Okay.” She shrugs. “I’ll just have to keep supplying you with vegetarian food and regular yoga classes until I get it out of you.”
I grunt. “No way. The next time we go out, I’m choosing what we do. Something manly. Sport fishing, cross-fit, all-you-can-eat Brazilian meats.”
She makes a gagging noise next to me, and then laughs. A sweet sound that’s full of life and promise, just like her.
When we reach our building, I walk her upstairs, stopping outside her door. She looks beautiful in her simple white cotton tank and jeans; somehow her casual dress makes her look younger than her twenty-four years. I’m filled with desire for her, but I know if she invited me inside right now, I’d fuck everything up.
“Thanks,” she murmurs, her wide-set eyes fixed on mine.
Tracing my thumb along her jawline, I revel in how soft her skin is. “Anytime.”
Emery’s breathing hitches, her only indication that my touch affects her. I want to lean in and kiss her, press my lips to hers, but I won’t. Can’t.
After a wistful moment, she turns and heads inside, the lock clicking into place once she shuts the door.
“Good night, Emery,” I say, and turn to head for my place.
When I get inside, I toss my keys and wallet onto the tray on the counter and sigh. I’m trying to figure out why hanging out with a woman has never felt like that before. It was easy and fun, and I already want to do it again.
Shaking the thoughts away, I open the fridge and peer inside. I’m still fucking starving from that vegetarian dinner. It may work for Emery, but I need meat to sustain me. After making myself a sandwich, I sink down onto the couch and grab the remote. The TV may be playing in the background, but I can’t help but recount the cute little things Emery said and did tonight.
Fuck.
Roughly swallowing a bite of roast beef, I sit straight up in my chair. I realize, with stunned horror, that I like her. I like hanging out with her. I like her personality, her sass, the fact she has goals. The curve of her hips, her tight ass . . . and the fact that she took the time to put on earrings before our non-date.
I’d also like to bang the shit out of her, but I know that isn’t possible, both because of my vow to Hudson, and to Beth, but also because it’s not what Emery wants or needs. She needs a friend. And that’s what I’m going to be.
Setting my unfinished plate aside, I get up and head into the bathroom. I need a cold fucking shower. I need to knock this shit off. I’ve made a goal for myself, and I’m not going to fuck it up. Even if my dick is rock hard right now just thinking about her.
Quickly stripping down, I step under the spray of lukewarm water. It does nothing to quell my erection, especially since I know that Emery is just one floor below me. She’s probably changing into her pajamas, and my mind spins with the possibilities. Does she sleep in a matching shorts-and-tank set, or maybe just her panties and an old T-shirt, her beautiful tits straining against the softened fabric?
My hand finds my cock and I squeeze, trying to quiet the images in my brain. It’s no use. The way her round ass filled out those jeans, the hint of cleavage that peeked from her tank top, it’s been burned into my brain. Knowing I’m going to give in to temptation, I grab the bottle of body wash, squeeze a generous amount into my palm, and use the suds to stroke my cock up and down. A grunt pushes past my lips as my hand speeds up. My shaft feels like steel and my balls draw up closer to my body.