Naughty or Nice

Suddenly the image of her and me sitting on a bench and feeding ducks flashes in my mind and I’m shocked by how much I love it. My chest aches for it like it’s just on the edge of my fingertips and I have to take a moment to steady myself before I use the doorbell. What has come over me with this woman? Why am I going absolutely insane for her?

I hear footsteps in the distance and then the door comes open. I’m unsteady when I see her standing there in a baggy shirt that falls off one shoulder and jeans. She’s not wearing any makeup, her hair is damp, and she smells like fresh-squeezed juice. God, all I want to do is fall on top of her and confess my love.

“You’re early.” Her eyes are wide with panic and I notice a brush in her hand.

“I couldn’t wait,” I say as I place my hand on my chest. “Jesus Christ, you are breathtaking.”

I have the luxury of watching her blush so hard her ears turn pink and she tucks her chin to hide her face. Could she be any more beautiful?

“Come in. I’m almost finished.” She steps out of the way and I walk inside, but I can’t just look at her and not get closer.

“Don’t hide this from me,” I say as I touch her chin and make her look up at me. I rub my thumb on her jawline and think about what it would be like to kiss her. “Not when you’re shy, or even with makeup. I don’t want anything in the way of your beauty.”

She just stares at me for a moment and then nods. I smile as I force myself to take a step back and release her. This is going to be a long fucking night if I can’t control myself, but I doubt I’m going to be able to do it for very long.

“Can I get you anything?” I look her up and down and lick my lips. I’m thinking about all the things I want from her, and to my surprise she steps forward. “Anything at all?”

She better be careful because she’s playing with fire.

Chapter 3

Claudia

I stare up at Brian, my heart pounding in my chest. How will he respond to my question? If I’m honest, I’m not sure how I want him to. I was surprised the words came out of my mouth. I’ve been a whirl of emotions since I opened the front door with my mood changing from pissed off to excited. He’s too attractive. I told myself I made him out to be more handsome than he is. I thought maybe it was dark that night and my mind was playing tricks on me. But if anything he’s even more delicious now. Not to mention the smell of baked apple that’s coming off of him. He looks warm and everything about him is inviting. The urge to lean into him is so strong that I feel myself taking a step closer.

I watch as the smile he had moment ago fades and his stubbled jaw tics as he clenches it. He takes another step back from me like he did before. The action irritates me because it makes me feel like I’ve lost my footing.

“Go get ready.” He voice is deeper now and there’s a warning in it.

Those three words remind me of who he is and that he does business with Slate, something I should keep telling myself. I did a Google search on him and all I could find was that he’s a good old boy. The best liars are the ones that hide in plain sight. At least with Slate I know what he’s capable of. When he walks into a room my whole body tightens in fear, but it’s not that way with Brian. He’s alluring in a way that scares me yet tempts me.

I stand there for a moment, wondering if I should try again. He commanded me to do something. I open my mouth to offer something else, but he cuts me off.

“Now.” He turns a little from me and it feels like a dismissal.

I narrow my eyes on him, but he’s not even looking at me. Out of everything that irritates me, this is the worst. He’s been blowing up my phone day and night trying to talk to me and now he ignores me? I hate that his dismissal hurts me. I try and focus on my anger to push the pain away but now my body is confused from head to toe that I could even be hurt about it. What is he doing to me?

“Don’t care for a direct girl? Fine, I’ll play it your way.”

I want to smack myself because I should be feeling the same for Brian as I do for Slate. If he wants to sleep with me, then why not just do it? I didn’t need him touching me and pretending to be sweet like he did when he got here. That messed with my head just as much as being turned on that I was given to him like property. A deep, dark desire I’d never felt before sparked inside of me and it’s getting worse. My mind is coming up with dirty things he could do to me and how he could use me for his pleasure.