The shower is already running when I go back into the bedroom. “Want to text me later?”
“Yeah. I can do that.”
“Okay. Drive carefully. And you remember our agreement too. No other guys.”
“I’ll remember.”
I take out one of my credit cards and leave it beside her purse on the bar. I go to the drawer where I keep spare keys and grab one of the extras for the condo.
I scribble out a note for Frankie.
Porno Princess,
I had a wonderful time last night. And again this morning.
I’m already anxious for more. I’m eager to see what other kinds of surprises you choose for us.
I’m also leaving you a key to the condo. I think you’ll be needing it over the next several weeks.
Yours,
Magic Mouth
I find Oliver in the dining room of his new house. “Well, I’m here, motherfucker. What do you need me to do?”
“I just love how you show up after I’ve already unloaded everything from the truck.”
I guess I am sort of a dick for showing up two hours late, but it was hard as fuck leaving Frankie. Harder than it should have been. “I was doing shit.”
“I know what kind of shit you’re doing—just not who you’re doing it with.”
Frankie and I must not be doing an awful job at keeping our relationship a secret if my own best friend hasn’t figured it out. “You don’t know anything.”
“Why so secretive? Is she fugly?”
No. That is one thing she is not.
I left a beautiful woman wearing porn-star panties to come over here and help his ass. Frankie and I could have spent all day in bed together. This better not be in vain. “What do you need me to do?”
“I need help getting my furniture out of my apartment.”
I can’t envision Oliver’s bachelor pad furniture in this nice house. “Lawry’s letting you bring that junk over here?”
“My old stuff is going to her workshop so she can refinish it. Wants to give it life again.”
I suspected as much. Lawry wants to repurpose everything. Damn hippie. “How could I forget? Turn crappy into happy.”
I run my hand over a box labeled Brewster. Our first beer brewer. “Wow. I haven’t seen this in a long time.”
“Me either. Been boxed away for years.”
Brings back a ton of memories. A good kick-in-the-ass reminder about how far we’ve come and what we can accomplish together. “You should put it on display. Maybe down at the brewery if Lawry won’t let you do it here.”
“Not a bad idea. Like a where-it-all-began plaque.”
I move to the large window and pull back the curtain to see the surrounding neighbors. “This is very you.”
“The floral shit will be the first thing to go.”
The house will be cool when Oliver and Lawry finish with it, but right now it does looks like a grandma lives here. “I meant the house and quiet neighborhood. The privacy. Your own driveway. Garage. Workshop.”
I’d kill for a garage like his. I hate putting my Porsche in a rented storage building across town. Such a pain in the ass to have to work on it away from home. But that’s condo life.
“I’m hoping I can pick up my woodwork projects again.”
Woodwork projects. That sounds like something a husband does. Not a single guy who’s looking for a different girl to fuck every night. “The only thing you’re lacking now is the wife and kids to complete the full package.”
“I think I’ll just take the house for now.”
“Do you ever think about it? The full package?” I know he did once. He was going to ask that cheating bitch to marry him before he caught her in bed with another guy.
“I haven’t for a few years.”
“Right.” I guess you don’t think about that kind of stuff when you don’t have a woman that you’d consider sharing that kind of life with. I know I haven’t.
“There’s a house for sale two streets over if you’re considering giving up condo life.”
I wouldn’t mind leaving it behind and having a place like this. Maybe it’s something I’ll consider.
A pretty redhead coming toward Oliver’s house catches my attention. “Well, that all depends.”
“Depends on what?”
“If all the women in this neighborhood look like the one walking up your driveway right now. If that’s the case, house sold.” Oliver suspects I’m sneaking around with someone. Maybe even in a secret relationship. I need to show him I’m still game, still noticing beautiful women.
“No idea. Haven’t met any of the neighbors.”
He moves to the window to see what I’m talking about. I can tell that he likes what he sees. “Looks like I have a visitor to receive.”
Oliver moves toward the door but stops and looks at me when I don’t follow. “You comin’?”
I shake my head. “Nah. You go on. I’ll wait in the truck.”
“Wait in the truck?”
I admit it. I always try to beat Oliver to the girl. But not this time.
“Who is she?”
I try my damnedest to keep a straight face, but it’s impossible. “Already told you, dude. Nobody.”
“Damn liar.”
I chuckle because it’s killing him to know I have a secret fling happening. “That redhead’s your type. Go meet her. I’ll be in the truck when you’re done.”
“This conversation isn’t over.”
This conversation is over. “Whatever.”
“Gimme five.”
Oliver is full of shit if he thinks he’s only going to give this woman five minutes of his time. “Got a Benjamin in my wallet that says I don’t see you for at least fifteen.”
“Sure. I’ll take that bet. I can always use an extra hundred bucks.”
Oliver can never resist one of my bets. I hold up my phone. “I’ll even give you a whole minute to get out there and initiate the conversation before I start the timer.”
“You’re on, fucker. Get ready to pay up.”
It’s blazing hot in Oliver’s truck, so I start the engine and air conditioning. I decide to pass the time by looking at Frankie’s pictures on Instagram, but her account is private. For shits and giggles, I send a request to follow. But mostly I want to see what kinds of pictures she posts.
Twenty minutes later, Oliver finally comes to the truck. He opens his wallet and tosses a hundred-dollar bill at me. “She’s a hot-as-fuck, unmarried redhead and she bakes.”
“Sounds like you just found your dream woman.”
“I don’t know. Getting involved with a neighbor seems questionable. What happens if things go south?”
“I happen to love it when things go south.” I especially loved it last night.
“Think about how many times you’ve fucked a woman and then a few days later, she shows up at the brewery because she doesn’t know where you live.”
That has happened more than I care to admit. It’s gotten downright ugly a few times. I never asked either of them to do it, but Scott and Molly have spared me some shit by putting a stop to anyone getting beyond the office and warehouse entry door. I know they’ve done the same for Oliver.
And now I’m fucking Scott’s daughter. What a way to repay the guy.
“I can see your point. May be best to leave that one alone.”
I know my best friend: he’s thinking it over, wondering if this one is worth the risk.
Sometimes it is.
12
Frankie Dawson
Brooke is standing at the apartment door waiting for me when I arrive. “Why are you so late getting here?”
Do I tell Brooke and Dillyn I’m late because I didn’t crawl out of Porter’s bed until almost noon? “I have a good reason.”
“It’s only a good reason if it involves that fine-ass boss of yours.”
“It does.”
“Get your ass in here and tell us all about it.”
“Can I put my bag down first?”
Dillyn takes my bag from me and tosses it on the floor. “Bag is down. Now tell us everything about last night.”
I smile and the two of them burst into giggles.
“Look at her, Dillyn. She’s blushing.”
I’m sure I am. I feel the heat in my cheeks.
“That means it was good.”
I’ve been hearing about Brooke’s and Dillyn’s sexcapades for three years. It feels strange to be the center of attention. “I don’t know where to start.”
“Duhhh… the beginning. We want to hear everything.” Dillyn is a details person. She wants to hear about every little thing.
“The first thing he did was take me to a tattoo studio. You aren’t going to believe this. He found my sketchbook and saw a drawing I had done of one of his tattoos. I had added some new design work to go with it and he had the tattoo artist do it. He put my design on his arm. A piece of me. On him. Permanently.”
“That’s some significant shit.” Brooke means business when she uses the triple-S term.
“You really think so? I don’t want to make more of it than it really is.” That would be so embarrassing.
“Hell yeah, that’s significant. And special. He’s wearing you for the rest of his life. He’ll never be able to look at his arm and not think of you.”
“That’s exactly what he said.”
“See? He knows that putting your design on his body is a symbol of something important.”
But our relationship is so new. Why would he do that?
“What happened after the tattoo?”
“He took me to dinner… and then he took me to bed.”
Brooke squeals. “How was it?”
“Well, what I didn’t tell you was that last night wasn’t the first time. We did it earlier this week.”
Dillyn’s mouth is gaping. “Whaaat? The last we heard was that he drove you home after the concert and kissed you. I can’t believe that you withheld this information from us all week.”
“I didn’t want to talk about my first sexual experience and what I thought about Porter’s dick on speakerphone.”
“Tell us everything.”
“You know I don’t have anything to compare it to, but oh my God… Porter is…” I struggle to come up with the right words. “…spectacular in bed.”
“Did he make you… you know? Happy?” Happy is Dillyn’s word for orgasm.
“He made me happy six times last night. And then again this morning.”
“I’m so fucking jealous. Do you know how many times I’ve had to reach down there and do it myself because the guy just couldn’t get it right?”
“I’ve been with guys who couldn’t make me happy if their life depended on it. I tried with one guy at least six times. He just didn’t have the talent for it.”
“I assure you that Porter has the talent. His mouth… it’s magic.”
“He doesn’t mind going down?”
“He loves it.” I grin when I recall all the things Porter has said to me about my lady bits.
“What’s that smile about?”
“He says he loves everything about my… P.” I can’t say pussy to my friends. I can barely say it to Mr. Filthy-mouth.
“You lucky bitch. You know all guys aren’t like that, right? They’re takers, not givers. They want to put their dicks in it until they’ve had their fill and that’s it.”
“I don’t have to worry about that with Porter. He is all about making me happy.”
“Gah, I wish I had a guy who was all about making me happy.”
“Question. Why the hell are you here instead of there with him?” Brooke asks.
I would never leave my girls hanging. “We made plans. Chicks before dicks, right?”
“No, no, no. You’re only partly right. It’s chicks before dicks… unless he licks.”
“Oh. I guess I failed to hear that last part.”
“Oh, sweetie. You need to go back to him and let him make you happy some more.”
“He knows I left town. He probably made plans.”
“Well, text him and find out.”
I guess it won’t hurt.
Frankie: Hey magic mouth. How’s the moving going?
Porter: I lucked out. Oliver had already moved a bunch of stuff before I got here.
Frankie: Because I made you late. Was he mad?
Porter: Nah. Wouldn’t matter if he was. This morning was totally worth being late.
Frankie: Making big plans for tonight?
Porter: No. Probably have a few beers with Oliver after we finish moving his furniture, and then I’ll go home.
Frankie: I was thinking about coming back. But I won’t if you’re planning on hanging out with Oliver.
Porter: Come back.
Frankie: Ok. What time?
Porter: I should be free by 6:00.
Frankie: Ok. I’ll be at your place waiting.
Porter: Ok. See you soon.
“He wants me to come back at six.”
“Of course he wants you to come back.” A mischievous smile appears on Brooke’s face. “And since you have a little time, we should go shopping at that adult store on Highway 82.”
Brooke and Dillyn go to that place all the time, but I’ve never been. I didn’t see the need since I wasn’t having sex. “I think Porter would be okay with that; he gave me his credit card so I could buy more sexy-time stuff.”
“Did you hear that, Dillyn? She said more.”
“I ordered something naughty to wear last night, and he loved it. He wants me to buy more outfits like it… and also anything else we might need.”
Brooke giggles. “You can definitely get whatever you need at that place plus some.”
“He has it bad for you if he handed over his credit card.”
I’m not sure that means he has it bad for me. I think it just means he likes to get freaky. “We’re just having sex, y’all. A little fun.”
“Says the girl who’s giving it up for the first time to the man she has fancied herself in love with since she was sixteen.” Dillyn really is a romantic at heart.
“None of that matters. We agreed on a little fun until I leave. That’s where it ends.”
“We’ll see, Miss he gave me his credit card so I could buy whatever we need.”
I haven’t even told them about the sweet things Porter does for me: bringing me coffee every morning, moving me into his office, taking me on the trip to Austin. And I’m not going to. I don’t want to hear them carry on about this relationship being more than what it really is.
There’s no room for false hope in my life.
Or in my heart.
“You guys know I’m lost when it comes to this stuff.”
“No worries. We’re going to help you get everything you need.” Brooke grabs my hand and tugs me toward the back. “And I think we should start with lingerie.”
“That’s probably the best place to start since that’s what he specifically asked for. He said he wanted me to have a different outfit every day for two weeks.”
“Holy shit. You’re getting fourteen pieces of lingerie?”
I can see that Dillyn is impressed. “I guess. That’s what he said.”
“He plans to put it on your ass good.” Brooke stops and looks at me. “Speaking of ass, does he like anal?”
“I have no idea.” I hope not.
“Then I guess we won’t be shopping for anal products today.”
“Nope. Not today or any other day.” I may be new to sex, but I don’t think I’ll ever be interested in doing that.
“Look at this. It’s super cute.” Dillyn holds up a cream lace romper. Quite a bit of coverage but totally see-through. “You need variety so it doesn’t all look alike and this would be something a little different. I could totally see you wearing this around his house.”
Dillyn is right. I can’t buy all crotchless panties and open-cup bras. “I like that. Let’s hold on to it.”
“You need something bright red. It’ll look good with your dark hair and light blue eyes.” Brooke pulls out a lace and mesh teddy. “This is hot. And it’s crotchless, so you don’t have to take it off when you bow chicka wow wow.”
“I like it. Add it to the maybe pile.”
I have zero problems finding fourteen lingerie pieces. “Thanks for helping me find this stuff. All of it is so cute. I can’t wait to wear it for him.”
“I’m actually having a lot of fun picking this stuff out even if none of it is for me.”
“You don’t need to be buying something to wear while you’re getting busy with Chad Morris?”
Brooke frowns. “We aren’t getting busy. Yet.”
“You need something for when you do.”
“Maybe. But this shopping trip is about you.”
Dillyn’s arms are full. “Let’s leave this stuff with the clerk up front while we finish looking around. We need to check out the battery-operated products next.”
“I have the real thing. I don’t think I need one of those.”
“Trust me. Every woman needs what I’m going to show you to go along with the real thing.”
Bullets. Lubes. Cock rings. A half-dozen things I can’t identify. Brooke and Dillyn have made sure I have everything—and more—that I need for sexy time with Porter.
He’s probably going to think I’ve turned into some kind of nympho when he sees all of this.
I arrive at Porter’s condo at five and let myself in. I still can’t believe he left me a key.
I need to find out how much time I have until Porter comes home. I don’t want him walking in and spoiling any of the surprises I have for him.
Frankie: I’m back. Should I still expect you around 6:00?
Porter: Probably closer to 6:30. I made Oliver come to the brewery and help me move your stuff into my office.
Frankie: How did you explain that one?
Porter: We’ll talk about it when I get home. See you soon.
Oh wow. I hope my moving into Porter’s office isn’t going to be a problem. His rationale is legit but that doesn’t mean people won’t talk and try to make something out of it.