7. Torey
Chapter 7
Torey
I was going on a date with Ryan—not a real one, of course, but we had to sell it as real. This meant my obsessing over what to wear was perfectly justifiable. I took stock of what was in my closet and whittled it down to three options that didn’t make me look like I was trying too hard or a hobo. The red strapless dress was too much for any first date, especially a fake one. Jeans seemed too casual, which meant I settled on a pair of black leather pants paired with a soft white cropped sweater, finishing off the look with fire engine red lips and spiky stilettos. My hair was in soft waves and I looked…good.
I had enough confidence to pull it off, which meant tonight would be good. We just needed to get reacquainted with each other, get to know each other for real. That was it. No romance, no flirting, no sparks of any kind.
Just a fake date.
For a fake relationship.
A crisp knock sounded, and my heart raced even though I told it not to. I hurried to open the door. “Hey.” My throat was dry and my hands were slightly damp as it took in the sight of Ryan in dark jeans and a black shirt that was slightly open at the chest. The scent of his cologne wafted in my direction, making my knees go a little weak. “You clean up nice. Very nice.” That throaty sound wasn’t me. Was it?
Ryan continued to stare, his mouth slightly open, appreciation darkening his gaze as it traveled from my stilettos back up to my face. “Wow, Torey, you look incredible.”
I felt that compliment all the way down to my toes. “Incredible? I like it.”
“Yeah, me too.” There was no mistaking the heat in his gravelly voice. “Ready?”
I nodded and reached back for my red clutch and my coat before I accepted his hand. “I am. Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.” The teasing glint in his eyes was absolutely contagious.
“So you’re a man who likes surprises. This date is already off to a good start. What else?”
“I love a woman in leather pants, especially when she fills them out so fantastically.” He opened the door to his truck and helped me inside, which gave me a few uninterrupted seconds to enjoy the way he filled out his jeans, not to mention the way the scruff only enhanced his sex appeal.
That was the second or third time that he mentioned finding me attractive and as much as I wanted to believe it, I was still hesitant.
Ryan started the truck and took off. We were both silent for the first mile or two. I imagined both of us were trying to figure out how to navigate this evening, but then he reached out and took my hand in his, and I just knew that everything would be all right. “Are you okay with everything?”
I nodded. “Yeah. I mean, I feel bad about your leave. I know it’s just a limited time and now you have to spend the week doing this, which really helps me more than you.”
“No more apologizing, okay?” He gave my hand a quick squeeze. “We’re in this together, Tor.”
His words allowed me to relax and I squeezed his hand in return. “Okay. Good. Great. Thanks.”
His deep laughter echoed inside the truck. “Perfect.”
As the ride went on, I felt myself growing giddy about spending an entire evening with Ryan. When the car slid into a parking spot, the sound of country music blared from the building. My eyes grew wide and I turned in the passenger seat, placing both hands on his thigh. His really big, really muscular thigh. “We’re going dancing?”
“We are. I figured we can have some fun, get to know each other while covering two topics for the week, dancing and music.”
All I thought about was having myself pressed against him while he spun me around the dance floor, his heady scent mixed with mine until I was dizzy.
“But first, dinner.” His smile was incredible and I felt my heart as it raced inside my chest. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“I really want to be all dainty and say no, but the truth is that I’m starving. I haven’t eaten since I inhaled the scent of your sandwich earlier today.”
He laughed and helped me from the truck. “Then I’ll make sure to feed you extra.”
“Not unless you want me to burst out of these pants.” I slapped a hand over my mouth. “Why did I say that?”
“Hey, calm down, Torey. Relax, it’s just me.”
Just him. “I’m nervous and I don’t know why.”
“Because this is weird. It just is. But we have each other,” he said and took my hand in his. “So we’ll be fine.”
We were led to our table right away and I immediately ordered a drink, which came quickly. “We’ll be fine,” I insisted with more confidence than I felt.
I decided to just dive right in. “So Ryan, why did you choose the Army?”
He blinked. “You mean why did I enlist?”
I shook my head. “No, you were always protective and fit. I figured you might end up in law enforcement but this fits. I’m just curious why the Army instead of another branch.” I frowned. “Is that a weird question to ask?”
“No, actually. It’s just nobody’s ever asked that before.” He sipped his lemonade and sighed. “I chose the Army because I always wanted to be Special Forces.”
“Wow, even back then at eighteen you knew?”
He nodded.
“That’s incredible, Ryan. And you achieved it. Congratulations!” I raised my glass to him. “So what’s next, like a four-star general, or something?”
His laughter was deep and rich. “Who knows?” He put his glass down and stared at me until my nipples hardened. “So, you dated Lancaster?”
“No. I became friends with him. We kissed but there was no spark but we really like each other so now we’re friends. It’s weird but somehow not as weird as dating my best friend’s brother.”
“Is it that weird?”
I shrugged. “Yes, no… I don’t know. Maybe?”
“Wow,” he chuckled. “That’s crystal clear, Tor.”
“Shush.” We laughed and talked throughout the delicious meal—steak for me and a burger for him—as we got to know each other. “Are we ready to burn off some of these calories?”
“I don’t know about burning off calories, but I hope you can two-step because I haven’t been line dancing in ten years.”
“No pressure, right?”
“Wrong,” he whispered as we made our way back to the car. “So much pressure. I’m expecting cowgirl level line dancing from my girlfriend.” His gaze flicked down to the floorboards before he put the car in gear. “Will you be able to dance in those?”
I arched a brow at him. “Just you wait, smart ass.” The minute we arrived at the dance hall, I tugged him onto the dance floor and we tore up the aged wood until we were sweaty and laughing. “How’s that for dancing in these shoes?”
Ryan leaned in close and wrapped an arm around me as a slower song began. “Watching your hips sway in those things was incredible.” His brows wiggled and his eyes danced beautifully.
“You are such a charmer. Who knew?”
He leaned in close, so close I was sure he was going to kiss me and then he didn’t. “I knew and now you know too,” he whispered in my ear.
It happened several times throughout the evening. We had a good time. We flirted and our hands were all over each other. The chemistry between us was unbelievable but still his lips never touched mine.
I double-checked that I didn’t have garlic breath.
Checked for spinach in my teeth.
It was all good, minty fresh and free of debris, but it didn’t matter.
It shouldn’t matter, that’s what I told myself every time it happened. Six times, to be exact. Except it did matter, dammit.
By the time the end of the date rolled around, I was anxious and frustrated and yeah, I can admit that I was turned on. As hell. I wanted him to kiss me. I mean, how could I not after we spent two hours with our bodies pressed together, dancing and laughing like a real couple.
Maybe I was the one who wouldn’t be able to handle the pretending. Maybe I was just in over my head.
Or maybe I just really needed to get laid.
“Are you okay, Torey?”
I blinked to focus my eyes and realized we were already back at my place. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just lost in thought, I guess.” I sighed heavily and tried for my best smile. “Thanks for a fun time, Ryan. I’ll see you soon.” I jumped from the truck and hurried up the driveway, feeling like a fool.
“Torey, wait up!”
I did not in fact wait up; instead, I sped up. But it was silly because Ryan had a foot on me, not to mention daily physical training. “It’s fine, Ryan. You don’t need to walk me to the door.”
“Of course I do.” He caught up with me easily and then blocked my path. “What’s going on? I thought we had a good time.”
“We did. I mean, I did. I had a good time.” I smiled and placed a hand on his chest. “Thanks a lot for tonight.”
His hand slid up my neck and cupped the side of my face. “I had a great time tonight too.” He leaned in close and my breath hitched.
This was it. He was finally going to kiss me again. My eyes fluttered shut and I licked my lips.
“A really great time,” he whispered against my lips. The heat of him covered me for just an instant and then it was gone. “I’ll call you.”
When I opened my eyes, he was halfway down the driveway, watching me. What in the hell just happened? He leaned against the front of his truck and watched until I was on the other side of my front door. “Dammit.” I growled and stomped my foot, annoyed that I was annoyed that he hadn’t made a move.
Ryan’s almost kiss was better than kisses I’d had with other guys, and I knew I’d go to sleep dreaming about that sweet torture.
And wishing it was more.