Chapter 2 #2
“Agreed. But, I do think there’s something to what she’s saying.
” Rina placed some food on her plate and thought over her next words before she spoke.
“Maybe you don’t have to look at them as just a penis.
However, the fling idea isn’t a bad idea.
No expectations. I think you felt all kinds of pressure with Jeremy because he was all in, and you thought if you did the deed, you’d have to stay with the guy.
No, you need a one and done, and then it’s behind you. ”
“You guys, I’m not afraid of sex,” I said over my laughter.
“I wasn’t looking at Jeremy like he needed to be husband material.
Hell, the guy would make the best husband.
He’s loyal and kind and honest and sweet.
I just felt nothing when I kissed him, and I hate saying that.
I tried for a few months, hoping it was just nerves or something, but it wasn’t.
And him being a teammate made it even more awkward.
I was actually more attracted to that guy I made out with my junior year, Carmine. ”
“The one with the tattoos and the cigarette breath?” Rina asked as she fanned her face.
“Yep. The one you guys pushed on me when you came to visit, and we all went out. I mean, I couldn’t stand his personality, but he had those dangerous vibes, and at least I felt something when I kissed him.”
“Damn, I bet he had a big schlong. He kind of radiated that big-dick energy.” Sloane reached for the beer Marcy had just set down and took a sip.
“You can’t tell the size of a man’s penis by his attitude,” Rina said, shaking her head and smiling. “No freaking way.”
“I disagree. There are a few men who just have it. You just know they’re packing, right?”
“Name one.” Delilah raised a brow and crossed her arms over her chest as if the whole conversation was absurd. Which it was, but I loved every second of it.
“Hugh Reynolds. My God, have you seen the hands on that man? I’ll bet women tear at that long hair when they’re in the throes of passion with that sexy god.”
Rina spewed beer across the table and started coughing profusely. I patted her on the back, but we were all laughing so hard, it was challenging to be of help to her.
“I’m not even going to argue with that one.
Sorry, Lila. I know he’s your brother’s best friend, but there’s no way she’s wrong about him.
” Rina wiped her mouth with a napkin before cleaning up the beer on the table and leaning in close to whisper.
“You know how he dated Kara Whooters for a short time?”
“Yes.” I raised a brow, wondering where this was going.
“She said he gave her three orgasms in one night. Three. Ummm, have any of you ever experienced that?”
“Holy shitballs. Boomer needs to up his game.” Sloane rubbed her hands together.
“Well, I don’t know how to even respond to this breaking news. But I do have a meeting with him tomorrow about the job he offered me.” I shrugged.
“That’s who you should have sex with,” Sloane said too loudly, and we all looked around to make sure no one was listening, and I shot her a warning look.
“What? It could be a job perk. He’s experienced and obviously a great lover.
The man just knows how to please his women.
I swear I orgasmed when he asked me how my beer was last night.
That voice. Those hands. That freaking hot Jesus hair. I am here for all of it.”
“Does Boomer know that you’ve put this much thought into the way Hugh Reynolds pleases his women?” Delilah asked, because Sloane and Boomer had been dating since high school.
“Please. Boomer doesn’t worry about that. Not with all the sex we’re having since we moved in together. But there’s no shame in looking, as long as you don’t touch, right? And you could make this happen while you’re here.”
“What if you made a list of all the things you want to do while you’re home?
You know, like a bucket list. You have this other life out in Chicago where you’re this superstar runner and a big-time businesswoman, but you’re here for a few months.
You can do all the things you want while you’re sort of on this break from your regular life.
Like girls gone wild on spring break in Miami Beach, this is summer break in Cottonwood Cove, Lila-style.
Find a guy to have a fling with and knock it right off the list,” Rina said as she smiled at Sloane, and they nodded like this was a genius plan.
“For God’s sake, you two. It’s not a grocery list; it’s her virginity. It’s not something you check off a list.” Delilah was always the voice of reason.
“You lost your V-card to Scotty Manchester. He had chronic tuna breath. I think that was something you checked off a list,” Rina said with a smirk.
“You know, some people think that his tuna breath is because ole Scotty-boy likes to head down south more than your average man.” Sloane waggled her brows before holding up her hand for another round.
“I assure you, that is not the reason for Scotty’s tuna breath.
” Delilah raised a brow, and we all lost it again.
I polished off my beer around a fit of laughter.
It felt good to be here with them, having a great time just like we always did.
I didn’t have to worry about practice the next day, or racing, or midterms or finals.
I didn’t have to worry about making sure I secured a job for my future.
I felt like just a normal person for the first time in my life, if I were being honest with myself.
I wasn’t driving toward some epic dream or trying to accomplish something that everyone thought would be impossible.
Unless you counted losing my virginity, which had apparently become the impossible dream.
I’d planned to lose it a few different times, but it just hadn’t happened.
We spent the rest of the night carrying on like fools, drinking far too much, and I slept at Del’s place. She lived with her sister, Jory, and we’d tiptoed in way too late. But it felt like old times, having sleepovers and laughing with my friends.
It was exactly what I needed.
The next morning, my head pounded as I walked to Reynolds’ Bar and Grill.
I’d hurried home and taken a quick shower and pulled myself together.
I hadn’t ever been hungover because I’d always been too busy to allow myself to feel like crap the next day.
I had always been very consistent about my work ethic, so I was embracing my inner rebel as I pulled open the door.
“Bear?” I called out, because I didn’t see anyone in the bar area.
I’d called him that since we were kids. He’d called me Snow, and I’d called him Pooh Bear, but he’d insisted I drop the Pooh when we got older.
I still laughed when I thought about the way he’d tried to gently ask me to just use Bear because he didn’t want to hurt my feelings.
Hugh Reynolds was a huge man with a big personality, who women had chased for as long as I could remember—but to me, he’d just been Bear.
Charming and protective and kind. Sure, I’d gotten mad at him and Trav and Brax more times than I could count for running off any boy who tried to talk to me when I was in high school.
I probably had those three to blame for my current situation, although they hadn’t followed me out to college, so I guess that was on me.
He came around the corner, carrying a large box in his big arms. I couldn’t help but zone in on his hands now that Sloane had mentioned them.
My God, those were some giant hands.
He set the box on the bar and reached up for the brim of his navy baseball cap, spinning it around in one quick movement. The man managed to make turning a cap around on his head look like the sexiest thing I’d ever seen.
“There she is. I heard you were out getting into trouble at Garrity’s last night.” He smirked.
Dark, thick hair that stopped at his shoulders and sage-green eyes framed by long, black lashes.
He had more facial hair now than he did a few years ago when I left for school, and it worked for him.
I’d always known Hugh was beautiful, but it was more than just physical.
He was smart and loyal and funny, and people had always been drawn to him.
I’d been more of a sit-back-and-observe kind of gal, and I’d admired the way he owned every room he entered.
“The gossip mill is still rampant in Cottonwood Cove, I see.” I raised a brow and moved toward him as he wrapped his arms around me.
He smelled like leather and cedar and sexy man.
Was that a thing?
No one had ever smelled sexy to me, but it didn’t surprise me that Hugh did.
And I probably reeked of day-after tequila and nachos.
He pulled back and smiled. “Come on. Take a seat and fill me in. What can I get you to drink? I heard you’re a tequila girl now.”
He made his way around the bar, and I sat on the stool and dropped my purse onto the marble bar top.
“Please don’t say that word,” I said as I rubbed my temples. “A water would be great. How do you know what I was drinking?”
“I stopped by to help close down Garrity’s last night, and Marcy said you all had just left and that you were having a good time.
I think that’s good for you, Snow. You deserve to cut loose for once in your life.
” He slid the water toward me and then unbuttoned the cuffs of his white button up and rolled them up a few times, exposing the inked muscle on his forearms as he leaned forward.
His veins bulged against his tanned skin, and the move was so sexy that I squeezed my thighs together in response.
Hello, hormones.
What the hell was that about?
The man shows me his forearms and my body finally reacts for the first time ever?
It must be the remnants of tequila left over in my body.
I’m guessing booze and sexy boys go together—maybe that’s where I’d gone wrong.
All work and no play had landed me with a college degree and no life experience.
“I think you’re right about that, Bear. Time to live a little, huh?”
“I think that’s a good thing. I still can’t get over seeing you win that national title,” he said, as the corners of his mouth twitched, and he smiled. Had I ever paid this much attention to a man’s movements before?
“I still can’t believe you all came for my final race.” I shrugged.
“Damn straight. I followed your career pretty closely. Looking up all your results online and watching you kick ass over the years,” he said. “It’s amazing. You deserve it all. How do you feel being back here?”
“Aside from my brother having a temper tantrum about it, it feels really good to be home.”
“He’s worried about you being pulled into your dad’s mess. It’s fair, right?”
God. Why did Hugh have to be so logical?
“My dad’s not perfect, but he’s human. We’re all flawed, aren’t we? I don’t know why Trav can’t ever give him a pass.”
Hugh’s tongue dipped out, sliding along his bottom lip, and he tucked his hair behind his ear. I sucked in a breath and had the sudden desire to run my fingers through his hair.
“You still want to save the world, huh, Snow?”
“I’d be fine just saving my father.”
He studied me for a long minute before he nodded. “I get that. So, you’ll spend the summer here and then head back to that big-time job you’ve got waiting for you.”
Travis was so determined for me to leave. But I liked being home. I’d missed it.
“That’s the plan. Thanks for offering me a job. So, when can I start?”
“Of course. I mean, you’re slightly overqualified, but I could use the help. Maybe you can figure out how to get things running smoother because I’m fucking tired.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.” Why was my voice all husky and breathy?
Thank you, hangover, for making me sound like a cat in heat.
He smiled. “Well, good. Because I need you, Snow.”
Oh, yeah. This man definitely gave a woman three orgasms in one night.
No doubt about it.
“Good. Because I’m all yours.”
What? Did that sound as inappropriate aloud as it sounded in my head?
I’d been home for two days, and my dad seemed happy to have me here.
I had a job and a sexy-as-sin boss.
Obviously, nothing could ever happen with him.
It was Hugh Reynolds, for God’s sake.
But that didn’t mean I wouldn’t enjoy spending my working hours with him.
Things were looking up in Cottonwood Cove.