Deal Breakers (Dealing with Love 1)

She grins. “You really did think of everything, didn’t you?”

I guide her into the tub and settle in behind her. Pulling her back into my chest I say, “The Boy Scouts taught me to be prepared for anything.”

She chuckles. “Well kudos to them for that.”

We soak in the tub for a while, perfectly content not saying a word. I start rubbing her shoulders and finally break the silence. “So, did the second orgasm top the first?”

“Hmm…I don’t know. I think it was too close to call. Maybe I need another one to decide.”

I laugh. “Oh yeah?” My hands move lower, caressing her. “Do you think you’re up for that?”

She gasps. “Well, maybe not the actual sex. At least not for a bit. But I’m open to other stuff…”

I smile against her hair and start rubbing her shoulders again. “Anything specific on your mind?”

She moans and wiggles her ass against my dick. “Mmm, keep doing that and I’ll do anything you want.”

I’m instantly rock hard and ready to go. “Fuck, Dev. You’re not making this easy on me. I’m trying to be a gentleman here. When you say shit like that, gentle is the last thing on my mind.”

She turns around and straddles my lap in all her wet naked glory. “Maybe I don’t want to be handled like glass. I’m tougher than I look, you know.”

Our eyes meet. She’s hiding something in those hypnotizing hazel eyes. I recall the words permanently etched into her skin. “What’s with the tattoo?”

Her eyes widen. “Oh, it’s just something someone said to me once. It stuck with me.”

I narrow my eyes at her. “I’m going to go ahead and call bullshit on that.”

Her eyes follow my hand as I trace the letters with my index finger. “What? Why?”

“Because you don’t do anything without a purpose. These words? They mean something to you. Something big.”

She sighs. “My mom said them. Before she died, she wrote letters to me for every big occasion in my life. The day I got my first period, the day I went on my first date, the day I become a mom…stuff like that. She wanted to be there for me…in spirit anyway. I think she knew deep down my dad would never remarry. She wanted me to have a female perspective for the important stuff.”

I tuck a wet strand behind her ear. “Which occasion were these words from?”

“Eighteenth birthday. I read the letter and went straight to a tattoo shop. It’s the only truly impulsive thing I’ve done in my entire life.”

I run my hands over her rib cage. “You should try being impulsive more often. You never know what could happen.”

She smiles and unplugs the drain. Stepping out of the tub she says, “Why don’t we go work on that together?”

DEVYN

RILEY AND I ARE lying in bed, completely spent. He’s the big spoon and I’m the little. We had sex two more times and each one was better than the last. I never thought losing my virginity would be such a pleasurable experience. I knew Riley would make it as good as possible but I never expected to feel so delightfully sated. Sure, I’m sore; I probably will be for days. But it’s a delicious soreness.

I think back to everything that’s happened tonight and smile. It was so perfect. Riley is not only skilled but also a generous lover. No wonder he’s had so many girlfriends. I cringe when I think about the bevy of babes from his past. I’ve never really liked any of the women he’s dated, but I put up with them knowing that they had a short shelf life. Now look at me. I’m another notch on the bedpost just like them.

I mentally shake my head, refusing to put myself in the same category. I know what Riley and I shared tonight was special. Different. He even said that he’s never been so in sync with someone before. Riley and I are so attuned to each other outside of the bedroom that it makes sense it would carry over. He tightens his arms around me and I nuzzle into him. God, I could get used to this. I know I said I didn’t have time for a relationship but loving Riley is so effortless. And the fact that we’re so compatible sexually is just the icing on the cake. Wait…did I just say I love Riley? Well, of course I love him. But am I in love with him? Oh crap, I am! I totally am! If I’m being honest with myself, I have been for years. I’ve just always had this wall in place preventing me from going there in my head. But tonight, any barriers we had were broken down and then some.

Why couldn’t I have had this epiphany sooner? Would he even want a relationship with me now? Could we have one being three thousand miles away? My internship only lasts for one year. Maybe I could move to Boston until Riley finishes grad school then we could figure it out from there. We’ll both be so busy, time will probably fly by. I decide to take Riley’s advice and act on impulse.

“Hey, Rye?” I whisper.

“Hmm?” he mumbles sleepily.

“I love you.”

He doesn’t say anything so I shift to see his face. His eyes are closed and his breathing is even. Is he asleep? A soft snore confirms it. What’s the proper protocol here? Should I wake him up? He looks so peaceful…I don’t want to disturb him. I roll back over and close my eyes. We can talk after we’ve both had some rest.