Chapter 7
Don’t Stick Tongue In Ear
Gemma begins, “Rule number one: Don’t suck at her neck aimlessly.”
Adrian flinches and looks offended. “But girls like it when you kiss their neck.”
“Sure,” Gemma agrees, “but if you spend too much time there, it’s a waste. Also, never stick your tongue in her ear, unless you’re trying to get her to roll her eyes in irritation. Trail a few kisses around the collarbone area, light teeth can be good here, up the neck toward the ear, then get out. There are much more important places you have to visit.”
Adrian leaps up off the couch, holding up a finger for us to wait. He rushes out the door, across the hall to his apartment. The three of us look at each, no idea what he’s doing. When he returns, he has a notebook and pen.
Robert’s face contorts in disgust. “Really, you have to write down “don’t stick tongue in ear” to remember? Please, for the love of all hot guys, tell me that is not one of your go-to moves.”
“What… no,” Adrian says, but his over-the-top look of denial says differently.
Robert sighs loudly then sags back into the couch, as he begins rubbing his temples. “It’s no wonder the sex toy industry is so profitable. These girls need something to do after you all leave.”
Adrian looks confused, so I rush on. He’s not ready for the vibrator talk yet.
“Rule number two,” I say loudly, regaining his attention. “Boobs are not for groping or squeezing. I know you boys think they were put here simply for your playtime fun, but here’s an important fact—” Adrian puts pen to paper, waiting anxiously. “The nipple is where you need to spend your time. Thirty seconds of nipple teasing can get a girl hotter than twenty minutes of kissing.”
Gemma scoots to the edge of the couch. “If you really wanna get a girl hot for you, then do all of this,” she gestures to his notebook, referring to what he’s wrote down. “Plus more to get her turned on—rub your hand between her thighs, getting close, but not touching the target. Tease her. If you remember nothing else from this conversation, remember that teasing, not touching, will have her begging.”
Robert looks at Gemma, nodding in agreement.
Adrian throws his hands in the air, tossing the notebook too, then stands from the chair. "I don't know who I am anymore. I mean you're telling me everything I've ever known, everything I've ever done is wrong. I'm never going to be able to make out with a girl again." He begins pacing while dramatically pulling his hair.
I feel like I’m watching a cheap drama film.
Gemma, our resident house mom, rushes to him and begins rubbing circles on his back while leading him back to the chair. “It’s okay sweetie, it’s a learning process. You’re gonna need to study, and be willing to make changes, but you’ll get there.”
He pulls his face from his hands and looks at her with questioning eyes. “But what about pornos? Can’t I watch those? Can’t that be my homework?”
Robert takes the lead on this one. “No, those are created for male viewing pleasure only, there’s nothing to learn from those.”
“They are all hard and fast and furious,” I add, trying not to laugh at the fact that this has turned into a warped version of an after school special. “Don't get me wrong, there's a time and place for fast and furious, but that should never be the go-to method."
Adrian rubs his face with both hands. “This is too much pressure.”
Robert, changing his role in this after school special, places his hands on his hips, and deepens his voice.
“Nonsense boy. You’ve been handed the other team’s playbook. Now, are you gonna take that book and study, and get ready for the big game, or are you gonna cry like a little girl and run home to your momma?”
Adrian’s face distorts in a grimace. “Are you supposed be a coach?”
Dropping the stance and the voice, Robert nods. “Yeah, how’d I do?”
“Well, I was kinda distracted by the skinny jeans and pink shirt.” He hesitates, looking thoughtful. “But other than that, well done.”
Robert takes a dramatic bow before I stand and knock him on the couch.
“Okay, I’m over this whole production.” I look at Adrian. “You got more information that we should have shared. You can go now.”
“You know,” he says, stroking his jaw and ignoring me, “I’m gonna have to field test this theory of yours.”
“Field test?” Gemma repeats.
Adrian nods, his attention on me. He lifts his chin and his eyes become hooded. “Whadya say sweet cheeks?”
Is he serious? Why in the hell would I want to crawl into bed with a guy who has openly admitted he has no idea what he’s doing?
I give my head a quick shake. “Um, no thanks.”
He steps closer and I step back. We do this a few more times until I’m against the wall. He takes the step, almost pressing into my body. His lips are parted, and his gaze is on my mouth. I know there was something I was supposed to do the next time he got me in this position, but my mind has taken a temporary leave.
He places one hand on the wall, above my shoulder, and tips his head down as he begins to speak in a low, seductive tone. His voice is soft and slow. “So, the idea of me bending you over the bed, wrapping my hand in your hair and tugging gently as I pound into you from behind, doesn’t interest you?”
I swallow hard, as one part of my brain kick-starts again. I lift one shoulder. “You weren’t listening. I don’t want you to pull my hair gently—I like it hard.”
His voice lowers, as his mouth turns up on one side. “So you are interested?”
I shove at his chest. “Not. At. All,” I say, emphasizing each word. I could possibly be trying to convince myself too. Something about Adrian tells me he’d be a fast learner.
With a wink, he turns to go. “Have it your way. I’ll just have to find another lucky girl.”
The rumors are that Adrian has a few girls that he hooks up with regularly. I don’t know how he decides on which one for which night. Maybe the girls play rock-paper-scissors. Whatever, I don’t care. Maybe he’s a fast learner with an amazing body, but he’s my neighbor and I need to focus on my future.
Shaking the fog he, once again created, I shoo him out the door. “Well, please don’t traumatize the poor girl,” I say before I give him a little push and close the door behind him.
“You totally wanted him to kiss you,” Gemma says, in a singsong voice, as soon as the door clicks shut.
I scoff. “Hell no.”
I rarely lie, especially to Gemma, but I need to sort this all out in my head. I don’t need her input yet.
“I like my man confident and experienced. I’m not interested in being some guinea pig for him to grope around on.”
“Mmm huh, keep telling yourself that,” Robert mocks.
Oh, I will. I will definitely keep telling myself that.
***
Adrian
I’m pacing my room, trying to slow my racing breaths, and talk down yet another painful erection. Thinking about having sex with Keegan is nothing compared to hearing her talk about it.
She can pretend she’s not attracted to me, but I can feel the way her body responds when I touch her. I’ll read every damn book she has, and follow specific directions if that’s what she wants.
Remembering my responsibilities that must come first, I remove my phone from my pocket. I scroll through the contacts until I find Walt, the only man on my dad’s security detail who I trust.
The ringing stops just before Walt’s commanding voice sounds through the phone. “This is Harris.”
I know that tone and greeting, it means he’s with my dad. “Call me when you have a minute. It’s not urgent.”
“Right,” he says, then ends the call.
I’m not offended by Walt’s clipped conversation. I know it’s necessary if we don’t want my dad to know how close we are.
When my phone rings a couple hours later, I slide my finger across the screen to accept the call. “Hey, Walt.”
“Hi son,” he says, making me smile. “How are you?”
Walt has been more of a father to me, in the past few years, than my real father has been for my entire life.
“I’m good,” I say, then get to the reason for my call. “I need a background on someone.”
“Oh?” He sounds surprised. “Someone else you think may be working for your dad?”
I shake my head, even though Walt can’t see me. “No, actually, this is a girl… a girl I’d like to get to know better.”
Silence fills the line before Walt finally asks, “If you want to get to know her, shouldn’t you talk to her, instead of sending out our private investigator? Or am I behind the times in the world of dating?”
He’s right of course, but my world is not like others in the dating world. “Walt, you know I have to be cautious. I get involved with a girl only to find out, six months later, that her dad is in prison for murder.”
Walt sighs, then asks his next question. “You sure this is the best time to be getting involved with someone? You’ve got enough to worry about right now.”
No, it’s not, which is why I’m going to proceed with great caution. “I know,” I agree, “but maybe this is what I need to get my shit straightened out.”
Walt’s deep chortle releases the tension building in my shoulders. He tells me to send over any information I have, and he’ll take it from there. “How are the boys?” Walt asks, probably as one last reminder to me about my responsibilities.