AllFreeNovel
Share Us
So, I wore nothing.
Another text rang in.
Ryan: A driver will be at your house to pick you up at eight.
Checking the time, I had thirty minutes to write my dad a note not to wait up tonight, submit my assignment for school, and apply any last touches of makeup.
The driver arrived at precisely eight o’clock and opened the backseat door for me.
“Thank you,” I said, climbing into the black sedan. The interior smelled new and the soft leather seats didn’t have a crease on them.
The drive didn’t take more than twenty minutes, but it might as well have been a world away, looking at the homes in this neighborhood. There weren’t any single-lane driveways. All the homes had at least three garages that I could see. Perhaps more around the back. The exteriors were cased in bricks and decorative stones, not a sheet of aluminum siding to be found. And the height, I just couldn’t get over how high these homes were. The main floors had to be at least twelve feet tall, probably even the second and third floors, too. What did one do with a third floor, anyhow?
Ryan waited for me outside his front entrance wearing black pants and a black buttoned shirt. A streak of red popped up from his front shirt pocket. A handkerchief to match my dress. I thought it was considerate. He descended the three front stone steps and raised his hand to help me from the car.
“Thank you,” I said, straightening my dress.
He looked down at my toes peeking out of my sandals, then caught my eye. “Every time I see you, you look prettier and prettier.”
His words warmed me up even though I knew they were just lines men used, but what girl didn’t like to hear that she looked nice?
He tucked my hand over his arm and led me inside. The interior was even more intimidating than the outside.
White marble covered the floors, and artwork lined the walls, probably all originals. A large gas fireplace was in the center of an accent wall covered in gray and white mosaic tiles.
The furniture was the only thing that looked comfortable. The gray velour was inviting and soft, and I wanted to wrap myself around the white faux fur blanket on the couch. Maybe throw it on the floor and make love on it next to the fireplace. I turned and caught Ryan’s eye.
“Do you like it?”
Come on, Laura. Don’t be shy. Show him what you’ve got.
“I do. I was just thinking of laying your blanket down in front of the fireplace. And…”
“And?”
“And making love on it.”
He turned toward said blanket and smiled. “That is definitely an option. I had a few in mind. I like that you say exactly what’s on your mind. It’s important to me to know the real you.” He brushed his finger along my collarbone. “I want to know everything about you.”
“That’s not what I agreed to,” I said slowly, walking past him toward the back of the house. I needed air. I couldn’t tell him anything about myself. “This is just sex, Ryan. Nothing more.” I shook away the memories of my fleeting feelings in my bathroom.
Footsteps followed me to the back of the house. Warm hands cupped my bare shoulders. “I’m not looking for a relationship, Laura. But I expect honesty. I want you to tell me how you’re feeling at all times. I need open communication. I don’t want there to be any misunderstandings between us, especially because I can be… demanding.” He squeezed my shoulders and a shiver ran down my spine.
“I can be honest with you about that. You have nothing to worry about.”
His breath on my neck caused goosebumps. I closed my eyes to savor the sensation. “Good,” he whispered.
I held back a groan. His breath on my bare skin felt so good.
He smiled. “Would you like some champagne?”
I nodded. His smile had disoriented me for just a moment, but I pulled myself together quickly.
He popped open a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and poured two glasses. After passing one to me, he toasted, “To honest conversations,” and raised his glass as he watched me drink mine.
The sweet wine bubbled in my mouth and burned a little in my stomach. I hadn’t eaten dinner, too much to do before I even thought about eating. My stomach chose that moment to growl, though.
“Your timing is perfect,” he said.
