I stare out my window, wondering if I should just take it easy and read the book I’ve been reading, or head to Soren’s house and see what he’s up to. I pick up the book and stare at a single page for at least ten minutes. The words seem to have lost all meaning to me. They look blank on the page, like they’re hollow and insincere.

I throw the novel onto the end of my couch and I look outside my window. When I see him walk by on the trail, my heart skips a little, but I’m left wondering why he even interests me. Is it his mysterious presence? Is it his tattoos and one-word responses? He’s more interesting than a book to me. And I know he’s got a story to tell.

I open my door and lean against the railing on my porch. “Hey there, big guy,” I say. He turns around and squints his eyes.

“Oh, it’s you,” he smiles slightly, before walking up to the foot of the stairs. “How’ve you been?”

“You know. I’ve been good. I start my job soonish. I have all these things I need to start reading, but I’m being lazy,” I say. Small talk.

“What is it that you do again?” he asks.

“I’m an editor,” I say. “Or, rather, I will be once I start. I’m over at Johannson Publishing.”

“With Harry Farrell? Yeah, I know the place,” he laughs.

“You know Harry?” I ask him.

“Yeah, we grew up together. I don’t think he likes me too much now, though,” he says, sitting on the edge of the bottom railing.

“Why not?” I pry.

He just shrugs. “Because he’s a prick,” he laughs. “He always thought he was better than us. You know, my father wasn’t exactly a standup guy. He left us in high school. Then the whole thing with Gabe happened.”

“Thing with Gabe? You’re leaving me in the dark here,” I tell him.

“Just brother shit,” he says. “You an only child?”

“Yep.” I nod.

“Well then, you wouldn’t understand,” he says.

“I’m sure I could try,” I mutter, but he’s already moved past it.

“Actually, my brother still lives in town. He just got a new place,” he says. “The bastard invited me over for dinner. You want to go?”

“Me?” I laugh, thinking he’s joking, but when he doesn’t smile, I realize he’s completely serious. “I couldn’t do that, Soren. We barely even know each other.”

He walks up the steps and stands in front of me. “I know exactly how you cum, Emma. I know which way your toes curl, how you ride a man, and just how loud you scream.” His voice is deep, gruff, and serious. “Trust me, we know each other enough.”

I gulp down, remembering the way his hands felt around my waist. The heat of his body warming up mine, his cock inside me, his powerful thrust… I remember it all and I suddenly turn very red. “Okay.” I shake a little and blink my eyes uncontrollably. “I guess I can go.”

“You sure?” he asks me. Why fucking not? I mean, how fucked up can his family be? I start to wonder if they’re like some backwoods hillbilly types, or a family of criminals. What could his brother have possibly done to create such a falling out, that even my boss is afraid of them?

“Sure, but you’ll owe me one,” I say.

“Whatever you want,” he says. For a second, I want him to reach out and touch me. I want to feel his hand curl in between my legs. I want to tighten my thighs around his fingers. I want him to fuck me in the middle of the day, outside, right here.

“And there better be some booze,” I tell him.

“There will be booze,” he laughs. “You think I’d go without any?”

“Alright,” I tell him.

“It’s a date.” He winks and begins to walk away.

“Not a date,” I correct him.

“Okay,” he laughs. “But it’s kind of a date.”

“Whatever you want to think,” I yell out to him as he gets further out onto the trail.

“Tomorrow!” he calls out. “Be at my place at 6:30.”

I know this is a bad idea, but I’m still curious. Plus, he’s a nice enough guy. He tries to put up his guard around people, but I know he’s covering for his emotions. He seems to be coming from a place of pain, rather than hate.

And then, of course, there are the images that keep flashing through my mind. Him, pushing my legs apart, tongue against my ass and pussy, and his big, thick cock. I’m a human, after all, and he’s given me the best sex I’ve ever had. I’ve had him once, but there’s so much more to experience and feel. What’s a couple more times going to hurt?

I pick up the book again and laugh to myself. How the hell am I going to read now that he’s got me thinking about riding him? I throw the book into the corner of the room and close my eyes, groaning. What have I done to myself? Why did I ever pick up that man?