14. Bucket List
FOURTEEN
BUCKET LIST
Rylee
I freeze. My heart jumps to my throat. Is someone else in here with us? Carefully, I refrain from making any noise as I stealthily survey the arena, my eyes scanning every corner without moving my head.
More crackling sounds through the loudspeaker before the young male attendant says, “Rule number six. No person-to-person contact. We have to ask you to leave.”
The florescent over head lights flicker to life.
Warmth spreads across my chest and up to my cheeks. Trey pulls away slightly and holds his hands up, palms out. I drop my forehead to his chest and my shoulders shake from laughter. It's like that time as a teenager when I got caught making out with my boyfriend by his parents. I glance up, squinting my eyes as they adjust to the harsh lighting. “See. You can’t just veto rules.”
He shrugs, then grips my hips to help me down. I run my hands down my thighs to smooth the fabric of my dress, putting it back into place. Trey grabs our laser guns and we quietly exit the arena.
A wide grin covers Trey’s face. Not an ounce of embarrassment from being caught. Me, on the other hand, I shield my face, unable to meet anyone’s eyes. Trey sets the plastic guns on the counter, then proceeds to help me remove my vest.
Trey rests an elbow on the counter and leans in. “So, you must have cameras in there since you caught us. Any chance you can make me a copy of the tape?”
“I don’t think so.” I grip his bicep, tearing him away from the counter and drag him toward the exit.
Halfway to the door, Trey turns around. “If either of you had a girl like her alone in the arena, you know you’d do the same thing.” He wraps an arm around my shoulder, pulling me into him, and we stroll toward the door.
I playfully backhand his stomach. “Did you really have to say that?”
“Something for them to aspire to.”
“To be like you?”
“Nah. To take the most beautiful woman on a date.”
Heat spreads across my cheeks for a different reason. He tugs me closer, and I go willingly, wrapping my arm around his waist.
A cool breeze hits us as we step out onto the sidewalk, and I snuggle deeper into his side.
“Here. Take my jacket.” He pulls away, rolling his shoulders until the fabric slides down his arms.
“I’m fine snuggled next to you.”
“You can have the jacket and a snuggle.” Trey wraps his warm jacket over my shoulders and pulls me into the crook of his arm again.
I sigh, soaking up the warmth. “Well, I have to say that’s a first. I’ve never been kicked out of laser tag before. I guess I can cross that off my bucket list.”
“What else do you have on that list? I’d be happy to help you cross off anything else.” His hand lazily runs up and down my arm.
A laugh bubbles out. “I’ve had more excitement than I can handle for one night.”
“Since you scored the last point, I’ll let you pick our last activity.”
I glance around as lamp posts create a warm glow over The Lakewalk. The bright moon shimmers and dances across Lake Superior as waves lap at the rocky shore.
“Let’s see what’s going on over there.” I point down The Lakewalk where a patio is lit up with Edison lights and two firepits.
Upon arriving at the brick patio, the cozy warmth from the nearby firepits immediately greets us, and we spot a couple of unoccupied seats. A server introduces herself, and we order two glasses of wine.
“I’m kinda surprised at how well thought out your date is. I never expected this,” I wave my hand over the romantic ambiance of the patio, “would be a date you put together.”
“What kind of date did you expect from me?”
“Honestly?” I glance up at the inky sky filled with stars. “A few hours at Sugar Daddy’s followed by dinner at The Pink Taco.” I tilt my head, a half-smile on my face. “But also, who thought it was a good idea to name a business The Pink Taco?”
A deep laugh escapes him. “Seeing their location is next door to a strip club and they sell tacos, it’s kind of brilliant. If they sold soup and sandwiches, it might be a little awkward.”
“True. That wouldn’t make any sense." I run my fingers along the hem of my dress. “But seriously, this date has been amazing. Is this what all your dates are like?” I’m fishing for information and doing a terrible job at it.
He reaches for my hand, flipping it over, and traces the lines on my palm with his fingertip. The soft touch almost tickles. “No. Dates like this are saved for special occasions.”
“What’s the special occasion?”
He glances up at me, a smile flirts on his lips. “You finally saying yes to a date with me. It needed to be memorable, so I can persuade you into a second one.”
Sitting up, I lean closer, so my lips are poised over his. “If I’m being honest, you’ve already done it.” I bite on the corner of my lower lip, causing his eyes to drift downward. His hand starts at my knee and slides up my thigh a fraction, sending an eruption of goosebumps over my entire body. Then his lips are on mine. It’s soft and sensual and everything I’m not used to from Trey. But certainly, it’s something I could get used to.
He pulls away, making the kiss entirely too short. “What do you say we get out of here?”
First, it’s been forever since I’ve been on a date, but it’s been even longer since I’ve had this much fun on a date, and I don’t want it to end. I’ve fought myself so long because I thought it was the right thing to do, but like Dessa said, I need to be a little selfish. Tonight, I want to do just that.
As I rise, the incessant throbbing from my heel to my toes intensifies and I cringe. Apparently, my feet are done with these shoes. Sitting down for the past hour didn’t give them the break they needed. I’ll muscle through the three blocks we have back to the car, then they’re gone.
Trey reaches down and intertwines his fingers with mine. The gesture is simple, but also the sweetest. At every opportunity, he wants to be near me, touch me. I never expected him to be this sweet. He’s the perfect mix of cocky playboy and sweet boy next door. And he’s making it hard not to fall for him.
The incessant throbbing much like a steady heartbeat shoots through my feet with every step. Finally, my feet rebel and I stumble forward.
Trey glances down at me, eyes laced with concern. “Are you alright? You only had like half a glass of wine.”
“I can’t do it anymore.” I stop. “These shoes. They have to go.” I drop his hand and grip his bicep for support. Kicking up my leg, I reach behind me and flick off one shoe. It clatters to the sidewalk and I repeat the process on the other side. I exhale a sigh of relief as my bare feet are no longer constricted in three-inch heels. “There. Much better.”
“You’re not walking barefoot to the car.”
“I’m not putting these godforsaken things back on.” I hold up the pair of heels.
Trey steps in front of me and bends down, wrapping his arms around my thighs and lifts.
A half giggle, half shriek escapes me. “What are you doing?”
“Carrying you.”
“Back to the car?”
“Yes.”
“That’s like three blocks.”
“Get comfy then.”
“Oh my god. I can’t believe you’re doing this.” I giggle. Other couples stroll past us, and I smile and wave. I’m sure it’s not every day they see a grown man carrying a woman down the sidewalk.
“I hope this doesn’t kill the romantic mood, but what’s the story with Abby’s dad?” Trey asks.
My body stiffens. “Mood deflated faster than a popped balloon.”
“We don’t have to talk about it. Forget I asked.”
It’s not a giant secret I’m holding on to, but I hate even mentioning Kyle’s name. It gives me hives, but Trey deserves to know the truth since he asked. “No. It’s fine. But do you want to do this while you’re carrying me over your shoulder down the sidewalk?”
“Sure. It gives me a possessive edge. Like I’m whisking you away.”
I laugh. Honestly, I wish he could have been the one to whisk me away seven years ago. “Here’s the Cliffs Notes version. My junior year I met Kyle. Only a few month into dating I got pregnant. Kyle proposed, and I stupidly said yes. We got married. I took a year off and had Abby. Throughout the following two years, I was constantly wooed and swept off my feet by him, while he shamelessly did the same with countless other women.”
His arms wrapped around my legs, tense. “Shit. I’m sorry Rye.”
“Thanks.”
“Did you leave?”
I huff out a humorless laugh. “Actually, no. He left us.”
My body jerks as Trey comes to a halt. “Fuck. Rye.” He bends at his knees and releases his grip around my legs. As my body slides down his, my fingertips follow every ridge and valley on his chest until I’m on my feet. One hand threads through the hair on the side of my head and the other grips my waist. “Kyle’s a fucking idiot for letting you go. But also, I wouldn’t have this moment with you if he didn’t.” He leans in. I lift my chin and my eyes flutter closed, as I wait in anticipation for his lips to touch mine.
“Trey! Trey!” a woman’s voice sounds from several feet away. “Trey. I’ve been calling you, but you never returned any of my messages.”
My eyes pop open as Trey’s grip on me loosens. We both turn around. A leggy blonde and her equally leggy friend stand in front of us.
“Uh. Yeah. I’ve been busy,” Trey says as he searches for my hand, linking our fingers.
“You’re always so busy. We need to go out for drinks so you can relax,” the woman purrs.
“I’m on a date right now.”
“Oh, sorry.” The woman’s gaze wanders over me from head to toe. I’m sure sizing me up. “I thought maybe she was your sister or something since you don’t date.”
“Nope. This is my date.” Trey glances down at me before lifting our connected hands and placing a kiss on the back of mine. “And she’s definitely not my sister.”
“Oh. Sure. I’ll just… call you later.”
“Please don’t,” he murmurs under his breath. Once the woman is out of earshot, Trey faces me. “Sorry about that.”
“No. It’s okay. You had a life before me. And before whatever this date non-date is.” Things were going too good on our date, so it’s only natural something would mess it up.
“Don’t diminish what this is.” He gently squeezes my hand.
My phone buzzes in my wallet. Pulling it out, Kyle flashes on the screen and I roll my eyes. He’s like Beetlejuice. I said his name too many times tonight. I shove it back inside. Eventually it’ll go silent.
“Do you need to take that?”
“No. It’s nothing.” If it’s important, he’ll leave a message that I’ll ignore until morning. Unfortunately, it buzzes again, and I know I can’t continue ignoring it. Dammit for being a responsible adult. “Excuse me.”
Trey nods. I step to the side and answer the phone.
“What do you want, Kyle?” I spare a glance over my shoulder and Trey’s scrolling on his phone.
“Nice talking to you, too.”
“There are no pleasantries when it comes to us. I’ll ask one more time, what do you want?”
“I know I have plans this Wednesday with Abby—”
“You are not bailing on her again,” I whisper yell in my phone, hoping Trey doesn’t hear, but his head lifts my way, so I know my irritation didn’t go unnoticed.
“I have this important business meeting.”
“Bullshit,” I spit out. “You always bail on her. It’s like she doesn’t even have a father.”
“Rylee.”
My name coming out of his mouth makes my ears bleed. “Whatever Kyle. I’ll be the one to tell Abby you’re not coming to see her. Again. I’ll be the one who has to bear the disappointment on her face. Again. You need to figure your shit out and act like a father.”
I end the call. By now, I’m used to this, but not Abby, and it's always my burden to see the almost tears in her eyes whenever he cancels. I hate him even more because of it.
“Everything alright?”
My heart nearly jumps out of my chest from Trey’s voice. For a second, I forgot where I was and who I’m with. “Yeah.” I flick my wrist between us. “Just my ex, bailing on Abby… again.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about. You’re not the one bailing on her.”
“I know. I’m sorry that you have to go through that.”
“Sadly, I should be used to it by now. He couldn’t keep a promise if his life depended on it. At least one to his own daughter.” Silence passes between us. “You know what? Let’s not talk about him. He’s a mood killer. Let’s get out of here.”
We continue strolling down the sidewalk to where Trey’s vehicle is parked. I hate Kyle even more now that he killed the vibe of my date. He always manages to ruin things for me. It’s like it’s coded into his DNA. Find new and exciting ways to make Rylee miserable. Screw it. I’m taking control. He doesn’t get to ruin my date. When we reach Trey’s SUV, he unlocks it with the key fob. Before he can open the passenger door, I stop him with my hand on his bicep.
I peer up at him. “Are benefits still on the table?”
He turns toward me. The pad of his thumb caresses the apple of my cheek. His hand continues to glide across my skin until his fingers thread through my hair. His large palm warms my cheek. “No.”
My stomach falls. It was inevitable this would have to end, but I was hoping it wasn’t tonight.
With his other hand he grips my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. “I don’t want benefits. You’re worth more than just benefits. But I’ll take whatever you give me.”
A slow smile spreads over my lips. “Can we go to your house?”
“Absolutely.”
He opens the passenger door and I slide in. While he rounds the hood, I click my seatbelt into place. We’ve had sex before, but the butterflies are fluttering faster this time. Maybe because it’s not a spontaneous, spur of the moment thing. Instead, I have the entire drive to his house to think about it. Trey climbs in and starts his SUV. He glances over at me while reaching his hand over the center console and intertwining his fingers with mine. It’s the simplest gesture, but one that calms my erratic heartbeat.
The short ride to his house is silent, but the way his thumb brushes over the back of my hand says everything I need to know right now. I want Trey.
His neighborhood is a far cry from my tiny apartment complex. Enormous houses with even bigger lawns line the streets. A pang of guilt hits me as this is something I’ll never be able to give Abby. A neighborhood filled with other kids to run around and play with. Or a backyard to build a fort or play kickball in.
As we approach a navy blue split-level house, he turns left and pulls into the sunken attached garage. I yank myself out of my thoughts. No pity parties tonight. There’s only room for one party, and that’s between my legs.
The garage door closes, and we both step out, but before we reach the door to the house, my heels that I never put back on slip from my fingers, dropping to the floor with a clatter. Trey twists around and I throw myself into his arms, slamming my lips to his. Without breaking our connection, he twists us around and cages me against the front fender. A shiver runs down my spine as he threads his fingers through my hair, cupping my head as he deepens the kiss. I wrap my arms around his waist and tug him to me, wanting to feel all of him. A low moan escapes his throat.
He pulls away, but his lips linger on mine. “Did I tell you this is the best friendship I’ve ever had?”
“And if you stop, this friendship is over.” I grip his chin and haul his mouth to mine in a bruising kiss. It’s frantic and demanding. Mostly, it’s everything I’ve been missing in my life.
I hike my leg over his hip. The hem of my dress tickles my skin as it slides up my thigh. His now rock-hard bulge presses against my pussy and I release a needy moan. Shamelessly, I grind myself against him like a cat in heat. Needing anything and everything that he’ll give me. His hand skates up my thigh and between my legs. His fingers rub against the fabric of my panties between my legs.
“You’re so fucking wet for me,” he whispers, low and growly. “You like grinding against my dick? How bad do you want it?”
His words send an electric current pulsating through my entire body. “Trey,” I pant. “I want it. I want it so bad.” My hips move in sync with the rhythm created by his skilled fingers, intensifying the pleasure.
He wraps his other hand around the nape of my neck and slams his lips to mine. He slides my panties to the side and runs his fingers down my bare pussy. I whimper into his mouth from the contact. He continues to move his fingers up and down, brushing against my clit with each pass. My hard nipples brush against the fabric of the dress, sending another lightning bolt directly to my core. Trey plunges a finger inside of me and I break our lip lock.
“Oh. Fuuuck.” I moan when he adds a second finger, pumping harder and faster.
“Come for me, Rye. Come all over my fingers.”
My nails dig into his shoulder while his fingers continue to move inside of me. He adds a third, stretching me even more. A tingle starts in my lower belly. My pleasure cries and pants grow louder with every thrust, echoing off the cement.
His lips move to my ear as his warm breath skates over the shell. “Fuck. Rye. Your pussy is gripping me like a vise. Now be a good girl and come for me.”
In that moment, his thumb grazes my clit and that’s my undoing. A burst of white-hot heat floods my entire body.
“Oh! Trey! Yes!” I continue to grind against him as I ride out my orgasm until I eventually come to a halt.
Trey pulls his fingers out and slides my panties back into place. My wobbly leg drops, the icy cement does nothing to cool the scorching hot inferno blazing through my entire body. He brings his hand up to his mouth and opens. His lips wrap around his fingers, sucking my orgasm off them.
A deep moan rumbles from his chest. His hooded gaze meets mine. “I’ve never been the type of man to stop at only one.”
* * *
An hour and two orgasms later, one for each of us, we’re standing in Trey’s sprawling kitchen. I swear half my apartment could fit in his kitchen. He’s sporting nothing but a pair of black boxer briefs while I’m wearing one of his dress shirts.
He passes me a bottle of water from the fridge. “Did I ever tell you that you look fucking amazing wearing my clothes?”
“You like it?” I trail my fingers down the pearl buttons until I reach the hem that kisses the tops of my thighs.
“Fuck yeah I do.”
In two long strides he’s standing in front of me, caging me between him and the counter. He bends down and runs his nose along the column of my neck. I tilt my head to give him better access.
“The dress you wore tonight is a close second.”
“I have a confession. The dress isn’t mine. Dessa let me borrow it. I don’t own anything remotely close to it. Or the heels.”
“The dress was stunning on you. Tell Dessa I’ll pay her for the dress because you’re keeping it. This isn’t the last time I want to see you wearing it.”
Heat creeps up my cheeks once again because he knows exactly what to say and when to say it.
“If we’re throwing out confessions, I have one of my own. I like you, Rye. I really like you and it’s more than this friend’s bullshit. It’s been a really long time since I’ve felt like this, so take that for what you will. I’m willing to wait for as long as it takes. Even if that requires me coming into Porter’s every day just to see you.”
“On the days I’m not working, you’ll be so disappointed. I doubt Jake can fill out that dress quite like me.”
Trey chuckles. “No, you’re absolutely correct. I like it so much. Just thinking about it makes me want to go for round two.”
“Should I leave you alone with the dress?”
“Only if you come with it.” He presses his lips to my neck, licking my heated skin.
I suck in a sharp breath, something rancid invading my nostrils. It’s like passing a farm on a hot summer day. It’s nauseating. My stomach does back flips that could rival an Olympic gymnast. Bile creeps up my throat. With both hands, I shove at Trey’s chest. He stumbles backward.
“Okay. We don’t have to go for round two.”
My hand flies up to cover my mouth. I scan the dimly lit kitchen, searching for a garbage can, but I have no idea where it is so I use the only other thing available. Racing to the kitchen sink, my fingers curl over the edge of the counter and I bend over, emptying the contents of my stomach. I dry heave a few times before it settles. A little.
Trey rushes to my side. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah. I don’t know what came over me. Maybe it was something I ate? Or I’m getting sick?”
He runs his hand up and down my spine while I’m still leaning over the sink. When I rise to my full height, he passes me a bottle of water. I take a swig and swish it around in my mouth before spitting it out in the sink. Then I turn on the faucet to wash away everything I vomited.
“I’m sorry about that.”
Trey passes me a sheet of paper towel to wipe my mouth. “That’s the first time someone vomited after having sex with me.” He crosses his arms and leans against the counter.
“I’m glad I could cross that off your bucket list.” I swallow the last gulp of water from the bottle.
He steps to the side to pull out a drawer with the trash can and recycle bin.
The odor from earlier hits me again, except this time it's like a freight train of stench and I gag.
“Want to go lay down? I’m sure I have some Pepto or Tums you can take for your upset stomach.”
“I don’t know. If it's the flu, I don’t want you to catch it. Maybe it’s best if I go home.”
Trey moves to stand in front of me. His hands brush up and down my biceps. “Are you sure? I don’t mind. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
I nod. “Yeah. It’s for the best.”
Getting sick is not how I wanted the night to end, but Trey was so sweet, wanting to take care of me. Kyle would have tossed me a bottle of water and a blanket and told me to sleep on the couch so he wouldn’t catch whatever I had. But not Trey. All he wanted to do was to take care of me, even if it caused him to catch whatever I may have. But I’m not used to sweet. Since my divorce, I never allowed anyone to take care of me, so I wasn’t about to start now.