I adjusted myself again as I sat behind my desk admiring the picture my precious girl had just sent me. I knew she’d look amazing in the lingerie. I had never sent a woman clothing before. In fact, I had never shopped for a woman before. I had occasionally bought something for a woman when we were out together, but I never really cared enough to make the effort.

I know, I’m an asshole.

Gemma was different though. My best friend deserved to feel special, because she was special. I couldn’t wait to see her. This had been such a long week. My inspection went great though, so that was one box I could check off the to-do list.

I leaned back, ran my hands through my hair and laced my fingers behind my head. I was taking her to Oven+Vine tonight. I liked to check out new places, and this one was located in an old 1940’s home, so it looked really cool. They didn’t accept reservations, but it was supposed to be beautiful out tonight, so if we didn’t get in right away, we could wait outside or go for a walk. Plus, they had happy hour until 6:00pm. If they were packed and we couldn’t get seats, we might be able to sit at the bar and get started with some appetizers and drinks.

I couldn’t believe it was only last Friday that we were at The Vig together celebrating happy hour and I was giving her advice about Geoff. So much had changed in such a short amount of time.

So much.

I had thought I knew almost everything there was to know about her before. But, now I realize there was and still is so much more. And, surprisingly, I actually care to know it all. This is just Sex Ed, Davenport. Nothing more. You’ll be wise to remember that. Not that I thought it was anything more. I couldn’t imagine Gemma and I not being even tighter after this and me being that much more protective when the next three weeks ended.

I exhaled a heavy breath. Only three weeks left. I didn’t know if that could possibly be enough time, but I was certainly going to do my damndest to take advantage of every opportunity we had in the time that remained.

I glanced at the time. I was cutting out early. I had just enough time to hit the gym, shower and get to Gemma’s. Five o’clock couldn’t come fast enough.

* * *

Usher sang about taking it nice and slow as I drove. I planned on taking my time with Gemma. I couldn’t wait to hear her screaming out my name, begging me to make her cum just like I promised the other night. I was wearing a graphic-T, nice jeans and a pair of Johnston and Murphy’s when I pulled up at five on the dot. As I turned off the ignition I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long, long time: nerves. I felt like a teen picking up his date. Why am I nervous?

As I approached the front door, it flew open. My enchantress stood before me in all her glory. I retreated slightly to take her in. She looked hot. Her hair flowed freely over her shoulders and down her back, and the earrings I sent adorned her ears. Her blue eyes glowed with a devilish gleam, and her perfect pout was bare and begging to be kissed. The top fit perfectly, her skinny jeans hugged her shapely legs and the shoes were the icing on the cake.

Plus, I knew what she had on under those clothes and I couldn’t wait to see what she was currently wearing in a heap on the floor and admire her in the lacey-gold scraps I had picked out especially for her. Her fruity scent reached out to me, luring me closer like a spell, wrapping itself around me. My mouth watered as I stepped forward.

My hands threaded through her hair and my mouth slammed into with hers in a kiss that was demanding and impatient from days of missing her. She tasted sweet and I was amazed by how quickly I literally rose to the occasion. When I pulled back I saw awe in her eyes and then I felt her giggle as she thrust her hips into mine.

“I guess there’s something to be said for delayed gratification, how it makes the heart grow fonder,” she looked up at me from beneath her lashes, “And something else grow harder.”

“Keep that up and all of our plans for the evening will be cancelled,” I drew in a steadying breath as I gazed into her eyes.

Her lashes fluttered as she licked her lips and leaned forward, kissing me just as passionately as I had just kissed her. I growled into her mouth as she moaned into mine. Our tongues tangled around each other and my cock throbbed even harder.

“Exactly how hungry are you?” She muttered against my mouth.

“Fucking starving,” I snarled back.

We both knew I wasn’t talking about food anymore. My hands slid to her ass, as I tugged her closer and ground my hips into her softness. I lost myself in our kiss, then I heard the angel on my right shoulder clear his throat and whisper in my ear, this is her first time and you had intended to make it an entire evening she would remember. She warrants more than just a fuck. I moved my hands up to her shoulders and gently disengaged my mouth from hers. Hazy eyes, full of lust and want, blinked up at me as they tried to regain focus.

“How you make all logic fly from my brain with just a kiss is beyond me. Let’s go eat. Believe me, you’re going to need energy for what I have planned.” I had no idea where the strength to stop had come from, but I knew this was what she deserved. Damn little angel was chattering away again, she’s not just a fuck toy.

“I know,” I spoke the words with annoyance, aloud, as we walked to the car.

“Huh?” She looked up at me in question.

“Um, I know, uh, what I’m talking about, trust me.” I opened the door for her and closed it as she sat. I took another calming breath and silently cursed myself for using my outside voice. Moron. I adjusted myself as I walked around to my side of the car to get in.

I climbed in and started the car. Gemma reached for my hand. It felt so natural to hold her hand as we rode to the restaurant. I ran my thumb back and forth over it.

“What movie did you choose for us?” I glanced over.

“Well, I wasn’t sure what time dinner would be done, so I figured once we finished I’d check out the fandango app on my phone and decide. The new “It” is playing. You know how much I love horror films.” I did.

“I’d be down for that.” I also thought that even though scary isn’t sexy, needing protection from some imaginary villain on a screen would make her snuggle in close to me. And I’d have absolutely no complaints about that. “So, fill me in about the past two days. Did you get everything done you wanted to?”

She said she did. She told me about her new client, the order she had placed for prints and about her research for expanding her business. By the time she finished we were parking.

Oven+Vine was this cool wine-bar with artisanal food, craft beer, wine, gourmet flatbreads, exposed brick and awnings opening to a patio-style back yard with corn hole, lawn chutes, and mini-bleachers. We were lucky enough to grab seats on the patio just as another couple was exiting. As I took in our surroundings, I noticed Gemma checking out the lawn games.

“Wanna play?” I nodded towards them.

“Maybe after a little wine. I wanna feel loose, when I kick your ass,” she smiled, leaning back and crossing her legs.

“So, what you’re saying is you could use something to help loosen you up?” I ignored the ass kicking comment because there were a plethora of other things besides wine I could think of to help relieve her tension. I perused the menu that was on the table. “I’ll pick the starter, you choose the wine?”

I glanced up in time to catch her nod. The waiter approached a minute later with glasses of water. “Good evening, thanks for choosing Oven+Vine. I’m Michael, I’ll be taking care of you this evening. Can I get you anything to start?” A thin man with hipster glasses smiled down broadly at us.

“Hi, Michael. How’s the burrata?” According to the menu, it was basically cheese curds, served on fresh baked bread and drizzled with a balsamic reduction and olive oil.

“It’s one of our best sellers and one of my faves. Absolutely delish.” He brought his fingers to his mouth and kissed the tips then exploded them in front of his mouth.

“Great,” I chuckled at his over the top theatrics. “In that case, I’d like to place an order of burrata.” I looked to Gemma next. “Precious, did you pick a wine?”

“Yes,” she breathed out, with a sly smile. “We’ll have a bottle of the Sexual Chocolate.” Her eyes glinted with deviousness as she held my stare.

“Good call, that’ll be a perfect combination.” I looked up at him as he slipped his pen back in his apron and turned to go place our order.

“You think you’re pretty clever, don’t you?” I asked a minute after he departed, as I reached for her hand. I flipped it over in my hands and drew circles on her palm.

“I might be a little gifted in that respect.” She held her fingers up about an inch apart and her head cocked to the side. Her tongue peeked out from between her lips and rested on her eyetooth then slid to the corner of her mouth as she bit down on her full bottom lip. My eyes took in every small motion. I felt her foot slip up my calf under the table. Unlike the last restaurant, these tables didn’t have full length table cloths.

Before I could respond, Michael showed up with our wine. Damn he was quick. I was quiet as he poured and offered up a sip, which I deferred to Gem. I watched her lips smoosh against the side of the glass as she tipped it to her mouth and savored the flavor.

“It’s excellent.” She licked her lips as she passed her glass back to Michael so he could finish filling it.

“Have you decided on anything else yet?” He asked once he finished pouring and set down our bottle.

“Not quite yet, but we should know by the time our appetizer arrives.”

“It should be up shortly.” He smiled and turned on his heel to go.

“So, you didn’t tell me how your last two days have gone,” she sipped her wine as she waited for me to answer.

“Let’s decide on what else to order and then I’ll fill you in.” I picked up my menu and handed hers back to her.

After looking it over Gemma offered her suggestion. “Wanna split the Italian combo flatbread and the bacontarian with the sea salt kettle chips? You do know about my love affair with bacon, right?”

“Hmmm… I vaguely recall you loving bacon.” I smirked. How could I possibly forget? When we were younger a group of us had gone to an all-you-can-eat buffet and Gemma had got pancakes, and an omelet, but had also filled a separate, large plate with bacon. And ate every, single piece of it. It was nothing short of impressive. “Sounds good.”

“So, the rest of your week?” She prompted.

I filled her in on what had gone down at work, that my offer was accepted on the real estate deal I told her I was researching last weekend, the inspection and everything else that had happened. Just as I finished Michael brought our starter and took our order.

“The storefront I’m buying is in Scottsdale, I think it’ll be a really high traffic area for whatever business I rent it to,” I continued when he left.

Gemma bit her lip and looked like she wanted to say something.

“What?” I coaxed.

“Nothing,” she shrugged as she put a bite of food in her mouth and looked away.

“Gemma…”

She heaved out a sigh, and made eye contact with me again, knowing I wouldn’t just let it go, “I just need to find something like that for my boudoir studio.”

“I’ll take you by to see it. If it’ll work, it’s yours.” I popped a bite into my own mouth and chewed.

“Baz, you bought that space to make money. I couldn’t possibly afford what you wanted to get for it per month,” she argued.

“I told you to let me know if there was anything I could do to help. If you like it, we’ll work something out that’s fair for both of us. Not to sound like a cocky-ass, but I do make a boat load of money and if I can help out a friend, I’m more than happy to. Besides, if I rent to someone I know, I won’t have to worry if it’s in good hands.”

Her defenses dropped and she smiled gratefully at me. “Only if it works for both of us.” She gestured back and forth with her hand. I’d make sure it worked. Her happiness was worth it.

The rest of our food came as we chatted. We made small talk while we ate, she told me about the new ‘got barre’ class she had started taking and I told her about the power yoga class I tried. We joked about how many more classes we’d need after tonight’s dinner. The food was good though. And so was the wine, even though I suspected she chose it for the name.

I took a deep breath as I leaned back in my chair to make room for air. “I’m stuffed.” I groaned, as I placed a hand on my stomach. We had eaten everything and finished off our wine, too.

“Really? I feel great. In fact, so great that I’m up for some corn hole. Ready to get your ass handed to you?”

Michael appeared out of nowhere. “Do you folks want dessert? Coffee? More wine?”

I looked to Gem to see if she was good and she shook her head no. “I think we’re good for now. Just the check, whenever you get a chance.”

“Maybe a refill on our waters?” Gemma interjected, lifting her empty glass, as I was dismissing him.

“Coming right up,” he nodded as he left to get a pitcher.

“So…” she prompted, tilting her head, her blue eyes drifting towards the games again.

I laughed. “You’d take advantage of me in this state? I can hardly move, I’m so full. You’re just looking to get an easy win.” I looked over to the currently empty grassy area. “Alright, you’re on. I can beat you no matter how much I gorged.”

She pushed her chair back, and stood. “How quickly you seem to forget what an accomplished adversary I am.” She leaned over the back of my chair, her breath hot on my neck and whispered into my ear. “Don’t forget we have our month-long arrangement because I kicked your ass last weekend.” Her deliberately chosen words sent tingles down my spine. I tilted my face towards hers and I planted a soft lingering kiss on her lips.

“How could I possibly forget? What’re we playing for now?” I knew how she worked, it was never a competition just for the heck of it, there was always a prize to be won.

“Same as last weekend.” Her brow arched high and her eyes twinkled with mischief. “You think about what you want and I’ll do the same. Winner shares at the end.”

“You’re on.” I smiled, as I pushed my chair back and stood.

Gemma slipped her shoes off as she stepped into the grass. “I don’t want to ruin my new heels,” she shrugged as she set them down and grabbed the blue set of the bean bags and then tossed me the green. I watched her make her way to the platform, her hips swishing with every step. And I couldn’t help but think about getting her home and stripping her bare. I slowly followed her to the board. Time to duke it out.