Page 38 of Best Laid Plans
I don’t like her easy response. Part of me is hoping she’ll talk me out of it, remind me that I don’t need to be dating right now. That I don’t date, period. That I was supposed to be done with Cole after the first night. And my focus should be on making my body a cozy, loving place for Ellie and Josh’s embryo. I tell her as much.
“I’m not going to tell you not to go. Maybe this is what you need right now. Distraction from the process. Have fun. Enjoy the sexy times, because it’s not going to be the same eight months from now when you’re sitting on the couch massaging your perineum.”
“What’s my perineum? Is that part of the baby?”
“Nothing you need to know about tonight.”
“Hmm.”
After a little more catch up about how Sam’s week has been going, we hang up so I can finish getting ready.
I pick out a white off-the-shoulder sundress with a floral pattern. It’s short which shows off my legs, and the short sleeves are off the shoulder which exposes my décolletage. The perfect dress to torture Cole throughout dinner. Hopefully he’ll realize his mistake and not turn me down in the future. Butwhat futuream I even talking about? We’re having dinner, I’m getting orgasms, then I’m out. For good. I mean I have to be regardless of what I want. Right?
I’m still wondering, what does he think he’s doing with this whole date thing? I just need a few mind-blowing orgasms to tamp down these hormones. I’ll just have to make that clear—that we’re friends with benefits minus the whole friends thing. So, we’re just benefits. Two people mutually benefitting from the orgasms we give each other. Sounds like winning to me.
A simple chain necklace and heeled sandals complete my outfit. There’s a knock on my door at five ‘til seven, just as I’m throwing my lip gloss, wallet and phone into my purse. Deciding to make him sweat it out for a minute, I run back into my bedroom for an extra pair of panties to bring along as well. I’m thinking the Niagara Falls situation between my thighs calls for bringing a backup pair.
By the time I get to the door, my heart is racing wildly. That’s not normal. It’s barely twenty feet to my bedroom, I guess I need to work on my cardio. I take a few deep breaths and open the door.
Standing there in dark jeans and a striped button-down shirt is Cole. His sleeves are rolled up, exposing his tan, muscular forearms. Yum, my favorite. My heart beat is thump thump thumping at the sight of him. Apparently it hasn’t gotten the memo that I’m not being chased by a wild animal.
He smiles when he sees me. I watch the whole transition from neutral face to lips parted, then teeth appear, and finally it reaches his eyes and wow. I think that’s my favorite thing. I wonder if I could video Cole smiling and watch it over and over in slow motion.
“You look gorgeous.” He leans in to kiss my cheek, his masculine scent washes over me and fuck, my panties are wet, again. My clean underwear supply is dwindling, and Cole is not helping the situation.
“Thanks.” I feel my cheeks heat. What the heck is wrong with me? It’s just a compliment on my dress, which I picked out for the very reason he’s complimenting me. I don’t think I even blushed when he licked my pussy. I’ve got to get it together.
“Where’s your bag?”
I look down at the small crossbody purse in my hand.
“What bag?”
“With your stuff to spend the night.” Cole looks at me pointedly to emphasize his requirement that I spend the night this time.
“I don’t really need anything. You’ve got an extra toothbrush, right?”
“You’ll need a change of clothes, unless you want to wear that all day tomorrow, too.” He shrugs like it wouldn’t bother him one bit, but I’m more focused on this change of events.
“All day? I agreed to breakfast, that shouldn’t last all day.”
“I amended our date. I need twenty-four hours. I’ll bring you home tomorrow evening.”
“You can’t just demand I hang out with you all day. What if dinner is miserable? What if we have nothing to talk about? What if the sex is bad?”
Cole’s eyebrows shoot up at that last one. Okay, I don’t think that is even remotely possible based on our track record, but who knows, maybe I’ll get to know more about him and he’ll become less attractive. Now I’m just being delusional but this guy is nothing like I’m used to. He’s a lot of work.
It’s a standoff at my door, while I weigh my options. If I refuse his twenty-four-hour date demand and he walks away I’m left with zero orgasms and a dead vibrator. A trip to Target for batteries would take thirty minutes, likely two hours if I browse. But, who am I kidding? My vibrator has nothing on Cole’s magic fingers.
I could call his bluff, or negotiate, but I’m pretty sure Cole isn’t as horny as I am. His refusal to fuck me on his desk this morning is a perfect example of his annoying restraint. I, on the other hand, might go blind if we don’t have sex again soon. In the end, I decide that the more time I spend with Cole can only increase the potential for more orgasms, so finally, I step aside, and let him into my apartment.
I watch him taking in the small space that is my living room. Knowing what Cole’s place looks like makes me wonder what he thinks of my apartment. It’s small, especially in comparison to his spacious two-bedroom condo, my decorating style with its eclectic, bright colors whereas his apartment is decorated in neutral hues and modern style furniture.
“I’ll be right back.”
I don’t think Cole even hears me as he crosses the space to the dining room wall where I have a photo gallery wall display. I leave him there and rush to pack my overnight bag. I don’t even know what I’m packing, I just start throwing things in, uncomfortably aware that Cole is in my apartment looking at my stuff, and the fact that my apartment isn’t exactly clean. After filling my bag with a random assortment of clothing, I stop by the bathroom to collect makeup and toiletries. At least he hasn’t seen the twenty-seven hair products and lotion containers on the bathroom counter. I tell myself not to stress, it’s not like I’m auditioning to be his live-in girlfriend. Then, I manage to pare down my ten-step nighttime facial care routine to three items.
Once I’m ready, I return to find Cole still studying the pictures on my wall.
