Time to amp it up a little, get him outside his comfort zone.
“Right now, nothing, but earlier I was falling in love with Christian. There’s just something about the older, dominant man and the younger, naïve woman. And let’s not forget the mind-blowing intimate scenes. Have you read it, Mr. Bain?”
I can almost picture him—his Adam’s apple bobbing with his shocked gulp as he’s trying to swallow down what he really wants to say and let only the words that he should say come out of his mouth.
“Mr. Bain, are you there? Did I lose you?” I ask, already knowing that he’s still on the other end of the line…he’s breathing far too loudly for our phones to have been disconnected.
“I’m here,” he grumbles. “I didn’t know you were into those types of books. You caught me off guard.” I already knew that. It was kind of my plan.
“So you know what book I was talking about.” I giggle. “Anyway, I read all kinds of books. Sometimes when I’m just coming off a classic like what we were reading in class, I like to switch it up. Keeps me from getting bored.” I pause and bite my lip, wondering what he’s thinking right now. Is he imagining me handcuffed to a bed? Hands bound with a tie? My ass bright pink with the clear impression of his hand on my cheeks? Fuck, now I’m working myself up.
“I kept seeing that book all over the place and I know it’s also going to be a movie. I was curious to see what all the hype is about. Not the greatest thing ever, but it kept me interested. And the actual story—I mean, the sex was great—some places had me all ‘wow.’ But the story behind it is what blew me away. It was amazing. And it’s worth reading just for the elevator scene.” I laugh.
“That’s…interesting.” His voice has a tremble to it, and I can faintly hear him as he swallows.
There’s no greater feeling than rendering him speechless. I ponder digging in a little more—weighing the pros and cons in my head—and conclude it’s now or never. I have to test the waters.
“Have you ever had great sex like that, Mr. Bain? I feel like I’m missing out. When I’m with Dillon, it isn’t terrible, but it feels like I’m missing something important.” I grin, my hand flying to my mouth. I cannot believe I’m saying this. “Like there’s supposed to be this earth-shattering moment that makes you forget about everything else and focus only on the present. I don’t get anything remotely close to that with him. I don’t even think he’s made me orgasm. Not without the help of my fingers, anyway.” I giggle again and wait for his response.
“Zara,” he breathes, trying to stop me. I wonder if he’s hard thinking of me coming using my fingers. I can’t lie and say that I’m not a little aroused right now, too.
“You did say we were friends, right? This is the kind of thing I would assume that friends talk about. Still want to be my friend, Mr. Bain?” I’ve never heard this octave of my voice before—deep, seductive, and packed full of flirtation I’m sure he’s picking up on.
He doesn’t respond, but I can still hear his fast-paced breathing, just like before. I’m starting to feel sorry for the guy. Or maybe I’m feeling powerful. Like I have the ability to mess with his train of thought this badly. It’s an extremely empowering feeling.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Bain. I’ll let you go. I didn’t mean to take up all of your time. Have a good night.”
“Zara, wait.” He cuts in. “We don’t have to get off the phone. You caught me off guard is all. I’m honestly not sure what to say. I’m not in the habit of discussing erotic novels with my friends,” he says. “And I wouldn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea about our relationship.”
“I don’t want to get you in any trouble,” I fib. “It’s just hard, you know? Not having anyone to talk to. I mean, I could talk to Dillon, but he’d just get really defensive and go out again, which would leave me in the same situation I’m in now…alone. Maybe I should just go back home. Things aren’t working out how I imagined.”
To be honest, they’re not exactly going to plan…they’re going much better.
Men are so easy to manipulate. Play around with the damsel-in-distress act long enough and they become putty in your hands. Just like this.
In three…two…one.
“It would be a shame if you left, Zara,” he says hurriedly. “You’re a very nice girl, one of my top students. I really do want to be your friend. Let me see if I can answer your question without overstepping the line. As long as we’re honest friends, this shouldn’t be a problem.”
“I promise, Mr. Bain. I just need someone to talk to—to figure out what I’m doing wrong. I moved here because Dillon wanted to take our relationship to the next level, and I thought it was the right thing. I just don’t feel the same way about him anymore.” I pause for effect. “Being in college has made me question what I want in life, and I don’t think it’s him. I deserve better. I deserve a man who treats me like I’m the most important person in the world.”
“It seems that this Dillon kid is a bit of a tool. You’re a beautiful girl, Zara, and you shouldn’t tie yourself down so early in life. Shit, I’m almost twenty-seven and I’m not married.”
“You have a girlfriend, though, right?”
“I do.”
“And do you think you want to be with her forever?”
“I’m not sure,” he answers honestly, his tone troubled and distraught. “I don’t think so. It’s kind of like you and Dillon. Something’s missing, I’m just not sure what.”
I’m what’s missing. Open up a little more, Noah. Just let me in. Then…Check. Mate.
“If you were a girl, I’d say you were probably missing the orgasm,” I joke, and he chokes on the other end of the phone.
Laughing hysterically, he tries to contain himself enough to talk, but every time he begins to speak, he starts laughing again.
“It’s not really that funny, Mr. Bain,” I pout.