Page 79 of The Downside of Love
“Probably going to hang out on the balcony, play some cards,” I answer as Stryder hands me a plate.
“Such an old married couple. Chad and I are heading to my bedroom, the living room is all yours.”
Great. Can’t wait to hear what Ryan has planned for Chad. Last time, it sounded like they were in some kind of sexual wrestling match. So much grunting, and I’m pretty sure it was Chad making all the noise.
It was extremely awkward. Stryder and I ended up leaving and getting ice cream.
We fill our plates and go our separate ways, Ryan and Chad to the bedroom, Stryder and I to the balcony. We share a lounger and eat our food, every once in a while sneaking glances at each other.
It feels like I’m in high school, sharing a meal with my crush. Stryder isn’t shy about staring. When I catch him staring, he just shrugs his shoulders as if he can’t help himself. And then there are the special moments, like right now where he’s holding my hand as we’re sharing our meal. As I look into his eyes, all I can see is pure awe, like he’s surprised that I’m actually holding his hand.
It’s sweet and makes me feel important and cared for.
Hating that we spend so much time apart, I devise a little plan in my head. I think it’s time we get over this little bump in our relationship of not having sex, because I’m ready.
I am so freaking ready.
The most we’ve done since we started dating is kiss.
Kiss!
There haven’t even been any wandering hands. We had our one dry-humping session against my apartment door, which God, was amazing. I can still feel the thickness of his cock rubbing me in the best way possible. I’ve never come like that before, with just the friction of a man’s body. If he was able to make me come that hard with our clothes on, I’m desperate to find out what he can do when there’s no barrier between us.
I want so much more with him.
I tug on his hand and say, “What are you doing tomorrow night?”
He pops a piece of General Tso’s chicken into his mouth. “Uh, probably sucking in nail polish fumes while Ryan does her nails.” He scrunches his nose. “Is it weird that I know when she paints her nails?”
“Just a little.” I chuckle. “I was hoping maybe you could come over to the apartment tomorrow.” He raises his eyebrow at me so I quickly say, “Because the sink in the bathroom has been leaking, and it’s driving me nuts.”
First of all, I would like it to be known that I know how to fix a leaky faucet. I would also like it to be known that I know how to make it leaky when I have ulterior motives.
“Really? It wasn’t leaking on Sunday, was it?”
He’s too observant.
“No, just started yesterday. It drips in the night and is slowly eating away at my sanity. Would you be able to fix it? I have tools.”
He eyes me suspiciously and forks another piece of chicken in his mouth. “Why do I feel like I’m being played here?”
“You’re not. The sink is all drippy. Please, Stryder? Be my knight in shining armor?”
He leans over the side of the lounger and picks up his drink. Taking a sip, he eyes me over the glass and says, “You know I can’t say no to you.”
“Not true. You’ve said no plenty of times. Too many actually.”
He rolls his eyes. “Is it always about sex with you?”
I shake my head. “No, it’s about connecting with you on a deeper level.”
Still eyeing me, he sets his drink down and says, “So you wouldn’t mind if I didn’t bring an overnight bag with me, but instead came over to fix your faucet and then came back here for the night?”
Damn him! He can see right through me.
I swallow my pride, though, and don’t give into his prodding. “If that’s what you want to do, that’s fine with me.”
He sits back on the lounger and studies me. “Okay, I’ll come help my girl, but only if you make me dinner.”
