Page 14 of Sticking Around

I stand back up, strip off my clothes and take her hand in mine as I lead her to the bed. We both look at our linked hands, and something about it makes us chuckle.

“The last time I held a man’s hand was…” She thinks for a second and adds, “…never.”

“The last time I held a man’s hand was never, too.” I love this new warmth and tenderness about us…even though I should just be fucking her and bailing, like I normally do.

“The last time you held a girl’s hand?” she asks.

“Two days ago.” She swallows and smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. I cup her cheek, press my lips to hers and whisper, “It was Camryn’s. I took her to the playground to give Noah and Brighton a few minutes alone.”

“Fun.”

“Oh, it was fun, until she wanted me to push her on the swing and then kicked me in the nuts.” This time Lanie laughs out loud and the sound trickles through me, making me forget about the pressures weighing me down. “You think that’s funny.”

She pouts and climbs onto the bed, staying on her knees as I stand beside the mattress. She puts her hands between my legs and cups my nuts. “No, Coddy, but how about I kiss them all better?”

6

Melanie

I wake to find the other side of the bed empty and while I feel a moment of regret and disappointment at the loss of Brady’s warm yet hard body beside me, my brain lets me know it’s for the best. Despite that, I roll over and check for his warmth. The sheets are cold, his body long gone from my bed. Inhaling deeply, I breathe in the scent he left on my pillow, pulling it deep into my lungs as warm memories from last night come back to tease me.

I chuckle and put my hand over my face. Did I really tell him I’d kiss his balls and make them better? Heck, I didn’t just tell him, I went ahead and did it, and the grunts and noises he made filled me with some strange kind of happiness. I’ve had sex before—not recently, no—but I’ve had sex. Not mind-blowing sex like I had last night, and none of the guys I’ve been with had me wanting to beg for it. Not that I’ve been with a lot, but still.

Honestly, I told Brady it could only be a one-time thing, only for it to end up being three times. Yes, we went two rounds after I lured him back to my bed. I’m not sure what was going on with me. Maybe it had something to do with the warm, understanding look on his face when I revealed a painful memory about my past. Then he shared something personal with me, and after those intimate moments, there was a closeness between us, one I’d never felt with any one before, and one I know better than to examine too closely. Brady Fisher, Coddy, is a player.

But is he, Melanie?

Heck, even if he wasn’t, do I really want to dive into trying to figure out why a guy would pretend to be something he’s not? That’s too messed up for me, and the truth is, I’m too busy with school and life to take on that challenge. I’ve come too far to let anything stand in the way of me completing my masters, and helping the children who need it.

I push from my bed, my muscles tight and sore in the most glorious ways, and pull on my frayed pajama shorts and T-shirt, shoving my phone into the small pocket. I grin as I recall the look on Brady’s face when he first saw me in them. I walk to my window and pull the curtains back. On the sandy shore in the distance, I spot early morning joggers, and a few parents out with their young ones. It’s late August and the resort is in full swing, which is why I’m run off my feet bartending at night. That’s okay. I need the money, and the tips, which are best on Saturday nights. Tonight will be insane, and that means there’ll be no time for studying between guests. It’s a real balancing game between making money and studying.

I sigh and walk down the hall and into the kitchen. The dishes have been done and my insides soar when I find a pod and little note by the coffee machine. Dammit, I really wish that note didn’t make me feel this happy.

* * *

Try this hazelnut vanilla coffee. My buddy at Scotia Academy got me hooked and I special-order them in from Canada.

* * *

Shocked and pleased—maybe a little too much—that he left me a note and his special blend of coffee, a burst of warmth and happiness rolls through me. Why the heck would he do this? A thank you for last night, maybe?

Chuckling at his antics, I pick up the pod and examine it. “Looks like you’re pod worthy, Lanie.” I laugh as I say the nickname Brady bestowed upon me. I kind of like his spin on my name, especially when he whispers it in my ear in bed. A fine shiver goes through me and I try to shake it off. It’s time to move on from last night, so I put the pod into the machine and press the start button. It gurgles for a second and then delicious smells fill my nostrils as it brews. I turn around to lean against the counter as I wait, and even though this isn’t my place, it suddenly feels lonely without Brady. Will we hang out again tonight?

No. No. No.

Go ahead, have some fun for a change, girlfriend.

I shake my head because that is not conducive to keeping my focus on school, and my head in the game.

But the sex was so good, sweetie.

Yeah, but I need to guard myself against his charm because I understand the cost of love.

Maybe it will be different with him.

No, it’s never different.

You’re just afraid to take a chance.

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