“YOU’RE CHEWING ON YOUR LIP,” Tyler pointed out in his car. “Something bothering you? Besides what we might do together?”
“Might? You’ve changed your mind already?” I couldn’t hide the frustration in my voice, but I needed to remind myself that it was something he’d agreed to after seeing me with his friend Ace. I had sent Ace several texts apologizing, but had yet to receive a reply.
“No, I haven’t changed my mind,” he said, breaking through my thoughts. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
I glanced over at him and saw he had turned toward me in his seat. I warmed at the concern evident on his face. “I was worrying about Ace. I didn’t mean to lead him on.”
“Fuck Ace.” He broke into laughter.
“It’s not funny,” I grumbled.
“Yes, it is. He shouldn’t have asked you out, or for a tour,” he quickly added before I could correct him. “I told them all not to mess with you or Zoey. He was being an asshole and deserved the embarrassment.”
I felt puzzled. “Why did you tell them that?”
“The same reason I didn’t know what to do about having sex with you,” he said. “Because I don’t want either of you to get hurt. None of us have or are looking for a relationship.” He went silent and I went with him, letting his words seep in.
If I wanted to be honest with myself, if Tyler asked to date me, I’d be over the moon with happiness. Deep down, I had my own doubts it would last, with all the time dance practice and performing took from me. Still, I was certain being with him, even for a short time, would be well worth it. Therefore, I replied with as much conviction as I could. “I understand you don’t want a relationship with me. I’m doing this because I want to. I won’t be hurt when you leave.” I didn’t want to think too hard about if I could honestly keep the promises I was making to him.
He didn’t say anything, just started the car and drove on. After a few minutes, I looked over at him. He appeared lost in thought, though he was making lane changes. I wanted us to keep talking. “How should we start? Will we go to your bedroom?”
“You’re ready to take your clothes off in front of me and let me touch you all over?” he asked.
I sucked in air and held it. God. If I said not yet, would he back out?
He answered me like he’d read my mind. “No, you’re not. I think it’ll be good if you got used to me. So, you’ll relax. Sex feels better when you’re relaxed. We’ll go slow. No rush.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“God, don’t thank me,” he groaned. “I’m an asshole for agreeing to do this with you.” Before I could disagree, he turned on and fiddled with the radio. We listened to music, and he drove us to his place in Tribeca. There he stopped at one of the converted factory buildings and went around it until he reached the underground garage and parked.
His home was beautiful with a wall of windows, exposed brick walls, and vaulted ceilings. It was open with everything in the one rectangular-shaped room. The furnishings were what I’d call bachelor chic—leather couches with decorative tables and artwork, a huge flat-screen television on the wall, and a full bar off the dining area that had a staircase in the middle.
I followed him into the kitchen where he took out a couple of cooked steaks and placed them in the microwave. He finished up his cooking with a Tupperware of salad he took out of the refrigerator.
“I didn’t expect we’d start with a meal,” I teased, helping with the place settings.
“We can watch a movie later,” he offered.
I glanced over at him and found he was staring my way.
“Sure, if it’s not too late. I have practice early tomorrow.”
“Me too,” he said. “Maybe just one, anything but romance.”
I giggled. “I actually don’t watch many romance movies. I prefer drama and action. My current favorite is John Wick. The way the fight scenes are coordinated”—I gestured a little with my hand—“it’s like a synchronized dance.”
“Yeah, I guess I can see that,” he replied, grinning. “But for now, we’ll eat. I’m starved after a match. I don’t do anything sexual if I’m hungry—I’ll correct that: nothing you are ready for.”
I smirked. “Oh, and what is it I’m ready for?”
He shrugged his broad shoulders and gave me a grin that caused a flutter in my chest. “That’s for me to find out. I mean, if you’ve done a few things sexually and liked it, I can do it too, but better.”
I rolled my eyes. “No need to brag. I don’t have much to compare you with. I’ve only dated a few guys and we just made out.”
“Making out is different for different people,” he said, cutting up his food. “I mean, for me, making out is kissing and touching each other’s bodies until we come. That’s lips, mouth, and hands. You do that, Ms. Ricci?”
I covered my face. “Are you interrogating me?”
“No, I just want to know you. I’m the last person to judge what you’ve done, and there’s nothing wrong with doing it. I don’t want to know all the details, I just want to know what you like,” he said, tugging my hands down.
“Your definition of making out is different than mine. We kissed each other. I kissed his lips, he kissed mine. My last boyfriend, Chris Newton, got me to touch his…private parts.”
“Great. Now that I know his name, I’ll find him and kick his ass,” he joked—at least I hoped it was a joke.
“Anyway, we didn’t go further because I was self-conscious and uncomfortable.” My face felt like it was on fire. I couldn’t look at him.
“It’s all right,” he said, his tone gentle. “Look at me.”
I peered over at him through my lashes. “Is my…lack of experience scaring you off?”
“No. It’s honest and sweet,” he said with another grin.
I blew out my breath. “I don’t want to be sweet.”
“Nothing wrong with being sweet,” he said. “Actually, I find it refreshing. Sex takes patience too. You have to be comfortable to enjoy it,” he offered, trying to put me at ease. It worked, and we went back to eating—until he asked, “He didn’t eat your pussy?”
I choked. “Come on, Tyler.” My face heated up again.
“Will you let me?” he asked. “Once you’re comfortable with me?”
I shuddered and looked down. “I…I don’t know what to say.”
“That’s okay,” he said. “You don’t have to say a thing, but I want you to know what’s coming, because I will. I promise when you’re ready for me to do it, you’ll love it.”
That was when I gave up on eating and put my fork down. He was too much, but in a good way.
“What do you love for the women you’re with to do to you?” I asked. I couldn’t keep the earnestness from my voice.
He flashed me one of his infectious grins. “That’s another lesson. Right now, finish that meal I worked so hard to make.”
We laughed together at that then talked about the game. He was absolutely incredible out on the field. I was completely captivated by his skill and talent, but when I tried to tell him so, he was really modest about it.
“It’s how we all work together. It’s a team effort.”
“But you’re a big part of the success,” I enthused.
He sighed. “Yeah, tell that to Coach Frost. He doesn’t see anything I do as good for the club.”
“I would tell him,” I said. “Although, after your performance, I thought he was going to freak when he recognized me.”
“He doesn’t want to mess up the program,” he said. “It’s something he pitched to the owners, and a lot of publicity is riding on it.”
I licked my lips. “I’m not in your program, but you’re still taking a risk.” My stomach flipped over at the thought, but then he reached over and touched my face. After a moment, he let his hand drop back to his side. “We both are.” I leaned a little toward him, wanting him to know I welcomed his touch and whatever he was willing to do with me, then his ringtone went off—DJ Khaled and Drake’s “To the Max.”
He started singing the start of the song, and I joined in with him. His lip curved upward.
“You like hip hop?”
I grinned broadly. “I do.”
We both sang the song with gusto until we started to laugh. I covered my mouth and he tugged my hand down.
“I like seeing you smile.”
I was a bundle of nerves and didn’t know what to do, but I let him stare until he got up and started clearing the table. I helped then excused myself to brush my teeth. I always carried a travel size with me, and I’d be prepared for whatever came next. Kissing? A flutter went through my stomach. Just thinking about it—or anything else he planned to do—and I felt like hyperventilating. I took a deep breath in, trying to calm myself. I can do this.
I sat down on the couch, and a shiver of anticipation went through me as I waited for him.
After a few minutes, he appeared at the top of the stairs. He’d taken off his jacket, and when he got close, I could see his strong, muscular upper body through his T-shirt flexing as he pushed his dark wavy hair back from his forehead. He sat next to me, so close that our thighs touched—his solid and firm, mine trembling.
He laid his hand low on my leg. “Relax. It’s just me.”
My breath hitched. Just him—the star of all my fantasies forever. I took in a ragged breath. “Am I already blowing this?”
“No, you’re not,” Tyler said with a hint of amusement in his tone.
I tilted my head down. “I hadn’t meant to say that out loud. I’m just nervous.”
“I know,” he said. “But you don’t need to be. Want to know what I’m thinking?”
I nodded my head.
“I’m thinking you’re beautiful in so many ways, and I can’t believe I get to touch you.”
I looked up into his eyes and a jolt of electricity sparked, taking my breath. His eyes were deep brown with rings of gold, the center dilated and dark with an intensity that set my nerves pulsating. His hands were warm when he cupped my face then leaned in close.
“Kiss me, Scarlet,” he whispered.
My heart pounded hard and I inhaled sharply. My nostrils filled with the smell of his aftershave. He wasn’t moving; he was waiting for me to make the first move.
I trembled as I leaned in for the kiss. My lips managed to make contact with most of his and part of the stubble at the sides of his sensuous mouth. I tilted my head down and sighed. I couldn’t even get that right.
Then Tyler said, “Mmm, that was sweet. Now, I’ll kiss you back. That okay?” He spoke the last bit against my lips. His were like velvet and with gentle pressure, he moved against my mouth. “Feels good. Now open up for me,” he instructed.
I slightly parted my lips and he ran his tongue over them. The sensation enlivened my senses. He slid his tongue against mine, and he tasted of mints. His tongue coaxed and guided me until I was moving mine against his. Then he closed his mouth on mine and sucked. The feeling went straight down between my thighs, and a moan escaped my lips.
Tyler broke us apart and we both worked to catch our breaths. “Sweet Scarlet,” he purred. He kept me close, his hands still clasping the sides of my face.
“Do you like the way I kiss?” I asked, my tone soft.
“Very much, and I want more.” His lips closed over my bottom lip and sucked. A burst of sensations went off in my body and I moaned again.
He groaned. “I’ve wanted to suck on your bottom lip for a long time.”
I blinked at him in surprise. He’s been thinking about kissing me?
He kissed all over my face and when he came back to my mouth, he didn’t hold back. He delved his tongue in and tangled it with mine, and I moved my tongue against his as he showed me what to do. Every stroke sent sparks of desire shooting through me. I let go of my inhibition and let myself get caught up in the wondrous feeling of our kiss, and I wasn’t the only one affected.
Tyler moved me to sit on his lap and I could feel him stretched hard beneath me.
“Damn, you feel too good.” He groaned. “But am I going too fast?” he asked, his breath heavy.
“No, don’t stop,” I pleaded, just as breathless.
He didn’t move me off, but kept his hold on my face. We both moaned as we pressed ourselves against each other in a kiss I would’ve willed to go on forever if I could have. So lost were we in making out, we didn’t hear the door open until it was too late.
“What the hell are you doing?”
We broke away to find Zoey glaring down at us.
“That key was for emergencies.” Tyler stood up and towered over her. “Not for you to come in whenever you want to.”
“I told you yesterday I was coming over to get your old juicer,” she yelled at him. “You usually go to the house of the woman you’re fooling around with after a game. I didn’t expect to find you here with Scarlet. You promised—”
“What did Tyler promise?” I asked, and Zoey turned to me.
“He promised he wouldn’t mess around with you,” she said as she poked his chest. Messing around, sexing, whatever it was, she was blaming Tyler, but she shouldn’t have.
I jutted my chin. “What if I’m messing around with him?”
Her eyes widened, and Tyler shook his head behind her.
“What is she talking about?” she asked him.
“You don’t have to defend me, Scarlet,” he said, lifting his brows at me in a plea to follow along. “Yep. This was all on me. I invited her to come to a game and brought her back here.”
I shook my head. “That’s not what happened.” From the twist of her lips, I could see she didn’t believe me.
“It’s all right, Scarlet,” Zoey said. She glared at Tyler. “You’re an ass for this.”
I turned away and touched my mouth. I could still feel the sweet caress of his lips on mine. The feel of him holding me, wanting me—it was marvelous, but already spoiled by yet another person in my life with ‘good intentions’ trying to protect me, just like my family. Tyler was keen on keeping what we did a secret and I knew it was right, but the thought of hiding made my stomach ache. I couldn’t keep up the charade, couldn’t turn it off like what we did together didn’t mean something to me.
“I’m…I’m going home.”
“I’ll drive you,” they both said at the same time.
“No,” I replied. “I’d like to be alone and clear my head right now. I’m taking the subway.”
“Wait a minute,” Tyler said. He came to stand close to me, the fronts of our bodies touching. The awareness caused my own body to heat with desire. I wanted him so much, I feared what he’d think if he looked at me. “You sure you’ll be all right?” he whispered.
I tilted my head away and averted my eyes. “Yes…um, thanks.”
His hand closed around my wrist and a spark flared between us at just that contact. “Stop right there,” he yelled to Zoey, who walked toward us. “I’m talking to her for a minute alone before she leaves. You’re going with Scarlet to the subway. You can meet her at the door.”
“Fine,” Zoey said, looking at us as she reluctantly moved that way.
“You want her to walk you?” Tyler asked me.
“She can,” I said. “I know Zoey won’t tell anyone.”
“You do, but I know it’s hard to think after what we did. She thinks I’m taking advantage of you.” He ran his hand through his hair like he did when he was uncomfortable. “Maybe we—”
“Don’t say anything right now, okay? Please, let me have today,” I pleaded.
“Okay,” he said softly. “I enjoyed kissing you.”
“Me too,” I murmured. I turned and went over to the door, power walking past Zoey.
She rushed down the sidewalk to catch up to me.
“Hey, wait up,” she said, and I stopped. “Why are you mad at me?”
“I’m mad at you because you’re the one person in my life I thought wouldn’t try to interfere, but you did.”
“I don’t care if you kiss someone or date. I’m all for you finding a relationship,” she said. “What I don’t agree with is you trying to date Tyler. He’ll have sex with you, but then he’d want to move on.”
I crossed my arms. “Why would him just having sex with me be wrong? Maybe that’s all I’m looking for.”
She gaped at me. “Oh, believe me, it would be. You’re only saying that because you’ve never been hurt before. I have. I’ve been on the receiving end of a man who wined and dined me until I had sex with him then dumped me. It doesn’t feel good. It can do damage to everything that’s important, including your dancing.”
She had some valid points, but I wasn’t as easily dissuaded since I was aware what would happen going in. Over and over again, I swallowed my feelings and did whatever was expected for everyone else’s benefit. I had reached my limit. “I’m not supposed to live out of fear of living?” I asked.
She opened her mouth then closed it, and we walked the rest of the few blocks over to the subway station in silence. “Fine, live your life,” she said. “I only ask you not to live it with my brother. It would absolutely break my heart if we ended our eighteen-year friendship over him.”
“We won’t,” I tried to assure her. “I know Tyler, and I still chose to…kiss him. I moved into the city to get away from everyone interfering and not letting me live my life. Just stop interfering. Please trust in me.”
“I’m sorry,” she said then sighed. “We’re both really upset right now, but now that I understand that you understand that you and Tyler aren’t serious, I’d like to call in a favor. There is a guy in my building, and I’m hoping you’d be willing to go out on a double date with him, me, and his roommate—as friends,” she added.
I crossed my arms and looked at the picture she held up with her phone. It was of a good-looking blond male with square glasses. “He’s a sexy geek. He works as a programmer for a game company,” she added.
“I don’t know.” That was the only answer I had for her at the moment.
“All I ask is for you to think on it,” she said. “And I’m sorry.”
I nodded and walked the rest of the way to the subway, relieved to find she didn’t follow me. Sinking down into the seat, I pushed away thoughts of Tyler backing out of the lessons and smiled dreamily as I replayed the way he kissed.