Mine Always (One Night with You)

1. Lacey

I scrollthrough my phone while my pancake browns, looking for a notification that my date has canceled. But there’s no cancellation, only a message that my “boyfriend by the hour” as the website called him will be meeting me Saturday night.

I close my eyes and try to picture the suave, handsome man who was promised to satisfy my dirty cravings. But all I can see is an image of Ryan, my older brother’s hot best friend. A man who also happens to be my roommate and sixteen years older than me. Off limits in every way and also not interested in me even a little bit.

My screen lights up with a call from an unknown number and I answer quickly, wondering if it’s about my date.

But it’s not about that.

It’s another automated message from the nearby art school, reminding me I only have a few days left to confirm my acceptance if I want to join the fall semester.

I sent some artwork into the prestigious university a few months ago on a whim. I never expected to hear anything back, let alone that they accepted me.

It still feels surreal to think that somewhere out there, I’m actually wanted even if it’s only by a school.

I’ve spent my life as a foster kid, being bounced from one place to the next. Even my half-brother whose doorstep I landed on seems hesitant to accept me.

The social worker’s voice from the past echoes in my head, “Some girls just aren’t wanted. They’re not loveable enough.”

For the first time in years, I let myself drag out the memories I keep locked away in a box in my mind. That little red house on Stonewell Drive. Having a mom who put bows in my hair before school. Getting help with my homework from a dad. Eating meals with a family.

I should have known that wouldn’t last. Nothing good does.

The scent of burned pancake hits my nostrils just as the fire alarm screeches, alerting everyone in the apartment building that I’m a cooking disaster.

I shut off the burner then glance in the direction of Ryan’s bedroom. Eric, my brother, probably slept at the office again. But I hate waking Ryan. He rarely sleeps due to chronic insomnia.

Since I’m barely five two in heels, I grab a kitchen chair and use it as a makeshift ladder, hoping I can stop the noise before Ryan is awake.

I manage to shut it off and in the sudden silence, I hear his husky voice. “What are you burning this time?”

His sudden appearance startles me, and I tip forward in the chair, headed to the chipped linoleum.

Ryan’s reflexes are still fast from his years in the Marines. He catches me, his strong hands going around my chunky hips and keeping me upright. This close to him, I can see the flecks of blue in his Atlantic gaze and the hint of gray starting around his temples.

“Huh, purple,” he says softly.

I dyed my hair a lavender color last night. Years of ducking out and avoiding people have taught me how to quickly change my appearance. I haven’t had to hide out from anybody in a long time. But I get bored easy these days.

Suddenly, I’m aware that my chest is against Ryan’s. Despite the black t-shirt he’s wearing, my nipples tighten at the connection with the hard planes of his body.

Ryan’s breathing hitches but that has to be a reaction to moving so quickly to catch me. Something flickers across his face then his gaze drops to my lips.

For one heart-stopping moment, I think he’s going to kiss me and I’m pretty sure that would be the most amazing thing to ever happen to me. I’ve never been kissed.

“Pancakes!” I exclaim, in answer to his earlier question about what I’m burning. Great timing as always.

Ryan blinks and the spell he was under is broken.

“Letting go.” His words are deep as he loosens his hold on my hips.

My body slides slowly down his, and I feel his arousal against my stomach through the thin material of his track pants.

There’s an answering rush of wet heat in my panties even as I know that his excitement can’t possibly be my fault. He must have been having a sexy dream.

“Do you want some?” I ask, trying to get back on familiar ground with Ryan. I blush as soon as I realize it sounded like I just propositioned him. “I meant, pancakes. Would you like some pancakes?”

Ryan shakes his head as if he’s clearing the cobwebs from it. “You gave up carbs last week.”

He was on a trip to Egypt for the company where he and I both work, Alpha Defense Industries. It’s some type of government defense contractor and Ryan heads the legal team.

I’m just a gopher there, someone who runs errands and does menial tasks. My brother got me the job. Still, the pay is decent, even if it’s not enough to cover my tuition at the fancy art school. But it’s OK. Girls like me don’t get to dream. I learned that one a long time ago.

I move to the stove and grab a different frying pan. “I did give up carbs. For all of three days. Then I realized that carbs make me happy and fuck the diet industry.”

I’ll just find somebody that likes my curves. Like maybe my date tonight.

Ryan pours himself a cup of coffee, stifling a yawn.

“Did you have trouble sleeping again?” I click my tongue against my teeth. “You should have woken me. I would have watched Star Trek with you.”

Ryan tries to be quiet at night but sometimes, the sound of him moving about the apartment wakes me.

When that happens, I sit on the couch and watch TV with him. He’s been introducing me to the best classic sci-fi shows including the original Star Trek. It’s kind of our thing. I guess he’s trying to look out for me since I’m his friend’s kid sister.

I know Ryan’s insomnia has to do with a mission that went wrong. But he never talks about it and I haven’t asked. Instead, I keep him company so at least he doesn’t have to be alone.

“Are you going to the masquerade tomorrow night?” I ask, working to act casual as I pour fresh batter into the pan. For some reason, the idea of him knowing I had to hire a date is too humiliating. But still, the thought that my date could be a creep also has me worried.

Ryan turns to me and grimaces. “I hate black-tie events.”

I focus on the pan. Other than my brother who will be busy at the masquerade, there’s no one I would trust to have my back like Ryan. Six foot two and all muscle, he’s sure to intimidate a potential date that’s shady.

“Why? Are you looking for a date?” There’s amusement in his voice.

The thought that he’s laughing at me, at his poor best friend’s little sister who can’t get a man, stings. “Of course, I have a date.” I lift my chin and hold tight to my pride.

A muscle works in Ryan’s jaw, but he stays silent.

“That’s kind of the thing.” I nudge my pancake with a spatula and drop my gaze. “It’s my first time meeting him, and I’d feel a little more…well, comfortable if you were maybe there. Just to make sure he’s not something dangerous like a serial killer or a low carber.”

He’s quiet for so long that I glance up to gauge his expression. But it’s impassive and devoid of any emotion. “Give me his name, and I’ll vet him.”

Like I want Ryan figuring out that I had to pay a man to date me…or for a night of smoking hot sex.

“I don’t know his name.” I doubt given his profession that it’s his real name on the website anyway. “But he’s meeting me by the fountain. I’ll be wearing a purple dress and he’ll be carrying a purple rose. Just hang out by the fountain for a few minutes, doing that broody bodyguard thing and make sure he’s legit.”

Ryan sets his coffee cup on the counter and studies me. “And what do I get in return for my broody bodyguard services?”

His sexy baritone sends shivers down my spine and has me imagining what it would be like to spend a night in Ryan’s bed.

I flip my pancake and place it on a plate, trying not to think about all the filthy things I’d like him to do to me.

Since I know exactly which button to push to get Ryan to do me a favor, I give him an innocent smile. “You’ll get the undying gratitude of your best friend’s little sister.”