Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 128260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 641(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
“So you don’t plan on having any more sex for the next, what? Four years or so? How old are you?”
“Twenty-three. So yes, he’s about four years away in the plan.”
“You’re going to wait four years to have sex again because of some stupid plan?”
“It’s not a stupid plan! I’ve always had one. It keeps me focused.” I felt my face fall. Now that I had explained my entire plan out loud, it was beginning to sound less rational than it always had in my mind. “Anyway,” I went on, “it’s going to help me achieve my dreams.”
“Your dreams? You sure about that?”
I snorted. “Now who’s pretending to be Dr. Phil?”
He watched me. “Okay, fair enough. Let’s get back to the sex then. You’re planning purposefully on a four-year dry spell? Didn’t you like it the first time?”
I felt my cheeks heat as I looked down. “Sure, it was fine.”
“Fine? Uh-oh. Any man who gets a ‘fine’ from a woman on any topic is in serious trouble.”
I took a deep breath. “Listen. It was fine, okay? Not spectacular. Not terrible. Just fine.”
He studied me for a minute. “So he didn’t make you come, buttercup?”
“God! I can’t believe we’re discussing this. No, he didn’t make me come, okay? For all I know, I can’t come with another person in the room. All right? Why don’t you give me your email and I’ll let you know in four years if things have changed! Dear Carson, I work! Love, Grace. You’ll remember me, won’t you? You’ll celebrate on my behalf?” I banged the back of my head on the elevator wall behind me. I felt embarrassed by this line of conversation, especially considering whom I was talking to. Actually, I was feeling kind of stripped down in a lot of ways. And he was making me question things I never questioned. How had this happened exactly? With this person? I started laughing and shaking my head.
“What?” he asked.
I groaned. “I don’t know. This whole situation is just…funny.”
He nodded like he knew exactly what I meant. “Yeah, I guess it kinda is. All the same though, my offer stands. We could make a weekend of it at least. I think your future husband might be really happy you said yes to me.” He shot me a practiced wink.
“You’re serious, aren’t you? Why? What’s in it for you exactly?”
He just raised his eyebrows, remaining silent.
I shook my head and let out a sound of exasperation. “I mean, don’t you get enough random sex as it is?”
“Listen, consider it a challenge for me, okay? I think I could give you something no one has before and that’s a hell of a turn-on for me. See, we’d both get something out of it and then part ways as Buttercup and Schmuck Number Two.”
I opened my mouth to answer and was interrupted by the shrill ringing of the elevator phone. Saved by the bell once again.
_________
Carson
The phone rang a second time, and I realized that I had been holding my breath waiting for her answer. I was lying to her about my reason for asking to be Schmuck Number Two. Not about thinking I could make her come. I was pretty sure I’d be successful at that. And that was a turn-on. The thought of seeing an expression of pleasure wash over her beautiful face had me swelling in my jeans. But the real reason I was holding my breath for her answer was because I hadn’t wanted anything in a really long time, longer than I could remember, and I wanted her. Not just her body but her. I wanted to see her reaction to my touch. I wanted to hear some more funny shit come out of her pretty mouth. I wanted to hear her try to justify her stupid plan. I liked her. And fuck me, I hadn’t liked a woman in a really long time. It felt good to want something. And that shocked the hell out of me. I couldn’t have her in any real sense, and it’s not like I wanted that anyway. But a day or two of Grace Hamilton in a hotel room? Yeah, I wanted that. I wanted that a lot.
I got up and answered the phone. “Hello?”
“Hey, it’s Rich in maintenance, just wanted to update you and make sure you’re okay. We got the part we were waiting for and now it just needs to be installed. Shouldn’t be longer than an hour.”
“Okay, man. Yeah, we’re fine. Thanks for the update.” I hung up and turned to Grace.
“Seems you’re stuck with me for at least another hour.”
“At least?”
“Yeah, at least. Longer if you agree to spend the weekend together.” I hoped she couldn’t tell that this meant something to me. If she turned me down, it was going to sting.