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“I’m still a little bit pissed, aren’t I? I need that lovely arm around my waist again.”
“You need to go to bed.”
“I never thought you’d ask. Been wanting to get down and dirty with you since we first met. Not sure I’m up to it right now but give me a few minutes.”
I shook my head again and laughed as I helped him to his bedroom and laid him on the bed. I pulled off his boots and went to the kitchen to find a bowl in case he vomited. Bluey followed me back inside and settled next to the bed.
Ryan took my hand as I went to turn away. He kissed it.
“Thanks. Been a bit of a shit time. Nice to come back to a beautiful face. Don’t suppose I can have a goodnight kiss?”
I raised an eyebrow as he pointed to a spot on his cheek. Against my better judgment, I leaned in and went to give him a peck when he turned his face so I touched his lips with mine. It was like an electric shock of lust, and I jumped back.
I needed to go before I did something silly like kiss him back or more. “Now, go to sleep. I have work in the morning and don’t want to hear any more smashing of glass or anything else.”
Ryan was not listening as a little snore left his mouth.
I patted Bluey on the head and left. Ryan should be fine, even if his head hurt in the morning.
I settled in my own bed and ran my fingers across my lips. He probably would not remember the kiss but I would. It had been done in a second, but the touch of his warm lips against mine had set something going inside me again—a belief that I could still feel something, even if it was just the physical side of things.
I could not stop smiling when I thought about what he had said. He thought I was sexy and wanted to get down and dirty.
I had not worked out yet how I was going to broach the subject of him being my sex friend for the year. I could not bring myself to say ‘fuck buddy’ even if that was what he would be. Somehow, I would make him think it was his idea. I was confident that would not be too hard to do.
NINE
Ryan
I sat up. My head hurt, and I lay back down. Last night came back with a few images, along with the pain. It had been a long drive back from Melbourne, and I had held off having a drink until I got home. I’d known when I started, I was going to get drunk. It happened every time I went to see Mom and the shit from the past was chucked in my face.
My mom would try and get me to come back home again. She’d had another funny turn. The doctors had said she was doing well, and my brother lived two doors away. I helped out in a way that was easy for me—money. Though it had been hard with me trying to renovate the cottage next door. I just wanted to stay away.
I remembered Autumn coming to my rescue last night. There I had been on the floor, my body refusing to cooperate with me due to the amount of beer I had consumed. Her hair had been pulled back, and she had baggy pajamas on, but somehow, she’d managed to make them look sexy. Autumn had stood, hands on hips, staring down at me with what could only be described as a schoolteacher look of disapproval, and all I had been able to do was laugh.
My head had been full of naughty ideas of what she could do with a cane. If she had wanted to give me homework to discover the best sex positions ever, I would have promised to get an A-plus. She had cleared up the mess and put me to bed. I would have been happy if she had cuddled me as well. Then again, I would not have been capable of anything much. I wanted a night of sex with her and planned on being sober when it happened. In fact, I wanted more than one.
I had gotten a quick kiss from her and she had jumped back. I hoped I hadn’t stuffed up my chances as I would be after another one. Next time, I would make it last so she would want to come back for more.
Bluey jumped onto the bed and licked my face.
“Man, your breath stinks. I need to get you a bone.” He wagged his tail like he understood.
It was time to get up and do some work. Feeling sorry for myself was not going to cut it. A couple of painkillers would put me right. I would feel a lot worse if Autumn had not shoved water down my throat. Tonight, I would get a bunch of flowers for her on my way home. If that didn’t work, I would get down on my knees and say sorry.
Her car was gone when I eventually got ready for work.
Dorothy was out in her garden, tending to her plants as usual. She waved as Bluey barked at her when I drove off.
The day went by in a blur. I had started on the surprise workshop for Julie’s husband. It was looking good and made me want to do more work on my own place.
It was five-thirty when I stopped off at the local florist. I grabbed sunflowers in the hope she liked them as I was really putting myself on the line. It would probably be around the town by nightfall. If it got me that second kiss I didn’t care.
I fed Bluey and headed next door. I was hungry but wanted to see Autumn more.
Dorothy was sitting on her front porch and would see the bouquet and no doubt interrogate me later.
Autumn answered the door in her smart work clothes of pants and a blouse. The top had tiny pearl buttons, and I could see my big hands struggling to undo them. Why was it that every time I looked at Autumn, I thought about undressing her?
