Page 5 of A Very Grumpy Halloween

I wanted to have some fun and Ryder seemed like exactly the kind of fun that I needed. I remind myself as I take another drink for courage.

I’ve already picked up my entire apartment, not that it took long. I live in a little one-bedroom place above a hardware store in the middle of downtown. The place is tiny, but it suits me just fine. I don’t need a lot to be happy. Just a good book, a cozy blanket, and some snacks.

I drain my glass of wine and grab the bottle, pouring some more into my cup as I pace around my kitchen. I still have half an hour until Ryder gets off work and comes here, and I’m not sure what to do with myself. I can’t keep pacing around, though.

I finish off my second glass of wine and head to my bedroom. I start to rummage through my dresser drawer, looking through my lingerie for something to wear.

I’ve always loved lingerie. It makes me feel sexy and powerful. That’s part of why I opened Wet and Wild. I wanted to help other women feel that way, too.

My fingers find a red silk babydoll dress, and I pull it out, smiling as I hold it up against my body. I know that this is the one. I bought it months ago, but I’ve never had an opportunity to wear it.

That’s actually the case for all of my lingerie and toys. It’s a bit embarrassing, but I’m a twenty-four-year-old virgin. A twenty-four-year-old virgin who also owns an adult toy store.

My parents were always sex-positive. They were always open with sex, letting us know that it was a natural thing. They never expected me to wait until marriage, but I knew that I didn’t want to lose my virginity to just anyone. I wanted what they had.

True love.

I’ve never been interested in anyone before, not until Ryder. I know that’s why I approached him tonight. I’m sick of being a virgin. I want to use the toys that I have in my shop with someone. I want to stop feeling like a fraud when I help customers out with things around the store. I want to finally be with a man.

I see the time on my alarm clock and strip in a hurry, pulling on the dress and checking that it’s in place in the mirror hanging over my closet door. The red silk of the cups pushes up my breasts, and the fabric hanging down hugs my curves, giving me a perfect hourglass shape. I smile as I look at myself and then do a little twirl, giggling as I stumble into my bed.

Okay, I might be a little tipsy…

A knock sounds at the front door, and I take a deep breath as I make my way down the short hallway and over to answer it. I trip over my own feet a few times, and my head spins as I make my way.

I paste on a smile, cocking my hip in what I hope is a seductive pose as I pull the door open and look up into Ryder’s blue eyes.

“Heyyy,” I say with a giggle.

I step aside to let him in, and he reaches for me, his hand landing on my hip to steady me as he comes into my apartment.

“Hey, you look… amazing,” he says, swallowing hard.

“Can I get you a drink?” I ask, and I’m proud of myself for sounding coherent this time.

“I’m okay.”

I nod, grabbing my empty wine glass and the bottle. I pour the last of it into my cup and then make my way to the couch. He follows suit and sits next to me. There’s too much room between us, and I take another sip as I scoot closer.

I wonder if he can tell that I’m nervous.

“I don’t normally drink this much,” I blurt out, and he smiles.

“I know.”

“Is it obvious that I’m a lightweight?” I ask with a giggle, and he grins.

“Yeah, a bit. I’m not much of a drinker either,” he tells me.

“But you work in a bar!”

“Maybe that’s why then. I’m around alcohol all the time, so it’s lost all of its appeal,” he suggests, and I snort.

“Not for me. I’m around lingerie and sex toys all day long, and sex is all that I think about.”

His mouth drops open, and I sway towards him.

“What about you? Do you think about sex too?” I whisper, and he swallows hard.

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