16. Genital Masseuse
SIXTEEN
GENITAL MASSEUSE
Rylee
Trey
Pick one.
Rylee
What’s this?
Trey
A link to different styles of tables Bennett builds.
Rylee
You’re having a table built for me?
Trey
Yeah.
Rylee
You don’t have to buy me a table, let alone have one custom built.
Trey
I insist. In fact, the order has already been placed and Bennett would kick my ass if I told him to cancel.
Rylee
At the very least, let me help pay for it.
I had no intention of replacing the table since we barely use it. Why waste the money when I can use it for something else? But I can’t ask Trey to buy me a new one. Especially a custom built one. That’s going to cost a fortune. Anything from the discount store would work just fine.
Trey
Nope. I broke it, it’s the least I can do. Plus, getting one from Bennett, I’ll know it’s high quality and can withstand our extracurricular activities. Which I plan on doing more often with you. *eggplant emoji* *water droplet emoji*
All it takes is one line from him to completely divert my focus away from my money concerns. I don’t know how he does it. But it’s been a long time since I’ve felt like this. Actual happiness. It’s a foreign feeling, but one I’m enjoying with Trey.
Rylee
And he’s tested this. *winking face emoji*
Trey
I’ll ask.
Oh my god. Bennett must think we’re nymphomaniacs.
Rylee
I was joking. Don’t ask.
Trey
Too late. He says, and I quote, “What the fuck is wrong with you? But also, yes.” We’ll have to test it out when it’s ready. For the sake of quality control.
Trey
I’ll bend you over the edge and slam my dick inside your tight pussy to test the sturdiness.
Trey
Then I’ll lay you out on top to make sure it’s suitable for feasting.
A tingle shoots directly to my nipples at the thought of him licking my pussy. Instantly, my thighs clench together, and I shift in my seat.
Trey
Then lastly, we’ll test its weight capacity as you ride my dick like a cowgirl. Giddy up.
“You look like you’re using Cupid’s arrow to pleasure yourself right now.”
I slam my phone screen side down on the bar top at Porter’s. Heat rushes to my cheeks. Glancing up, I see Dessa staring at me, a sly smirk covering her red lips. My shift technically ended, but I’m waiting for Chad to come in before I leave in case she needs help with anything. “Um. No. Trey’s just telling me about the new dining table he’s having custom made for me.” My phone buzzes again, but I ignore it.
“I wish dining tables turned me on like that.”
It’s not the table, but what he wants to do to me on top of it. I knit my eyebrows together, feigning innocence. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I bite the inside of my cheek, wrestling my smile.
“Oh, come on. Your cheeks are redder than an iron poker sitting in a fire. There’s more than just table talk happening.”
Lach creeps up behind me. “She has a point. You’re looking a little flush.”
I jump. Then backhand him in his chest. “Now you're on my case too?”
“Just calling it like I see it.” He takes a seat on the stool next to me. “How’s it going with Casanova?”
“Really? You want to talk about my… I don’t even know what it is.”
“Banging and hanging? Insignificant other? Flirtationship? Genital Masseuse? Porn pals?” Dessa supplies.
I glare at her.
“What?” She laughs. “I’m only offering suggestions.”
“Genital masseuse is my favorite. I need to find me one of those,” Lach says.
“What’s wrong with friends who occasionally hook up?” I shrug.
“Nope. It’s forever now referred to as a genital masseuse.” Lach wiggles his eyebrows.
I sigh. I’m not winning this friends with benefits conversation so I change it. “Where’s Chad? He’s ten minutes late.” I glance at the time on my phone while simultaneously checking if there’s a new message from Trey.
“He’s been so flaky lately. He’s constantly poking at Jake’s last nerve. A couple days ago, Jake had to stay late because Chad called in at the last minute,” Dessa says.
Lach rolls his eyes. “Someone’s just butt hurt because he got demoted. But it’s his own fault he sucks at his job.”
“That reminds me,” I turn to Lach, “there’s a small liquor delivery coming later. They forgot a couple of boxes so they’re dropping them off at the end of their route. I can trust you to take care of that for me?” I flash him wide, puppy dog eyes.
“For you, anything. Now if it was Dessa… I might need her to be my genital masseuse.”
Dessa busts out laughing. “You’re such a perv. Be your own genital masseuse.” She throws a bar towel at him. He grins and throws it right back.
“Sometimes you need someone else to do it. It's a different grip. A different pressure. A different stroke.”
I press my hands to my ears. “I don’t need the play by play about your masturbation techniques.”
A beam of light floods into Porter’s as the door opens. Dessa lifts her head while Lach and I twist in our seats. Chad strolls in. The hood of his black zippered hoodie is pulled over his bowed head and his hands are shoved in the pockets. He strides past without an ounce of acknowledgment. We turn to follow his movements until he disappears down the hallway.
Lach leans in so only we can hear. “Who wears a hoodie when it’s almost seventy degrees outside?”
“I’m sweating just looking at him.” Dessa fans herself with her hand.
“Well now that Chad’s here, I’m out. I’ll see you two tomorrow.” I rise to my feet. “Don’t forget the delivery.” I clasp Lach’s shoulder.
“Got it,” he responds.
I tuck my wallet under my arm, then I’m out the door. The bright sun instantly warms my face as I stroll through the parking lot. As I approach my SUV, my stomach quivers. Glancing down, my front driver’s side tire is sitting flat on the pavement. Shit. I unlock my SUV and toss my wallet on the seat. I round to the rear and lift the hatch. After digging around, I pull out the jack, and set it on the ground next to the flat. Then I heave the spare tire out and roll it toward the front of my SUV. The faint sound of my phone buzzing from inside my vehicle catches my attention. I pull open the door and dig it out of my wallet. A message from Trey flashes on the screen.
Trey
Hey, what are you doing? You left me hanging, so now I have to assume you’re lying in your bed touching yourself while you’re thinking of me.
Rylee
I wish that was the case, but no. I’m in the Porter’s parking lot attempting to change a flat tire.
Trey
Give me five minutes and I’ll be right there.
Rylee
You don’t need to come. I got this.
Trey
Have you ever changed a flat tire?
Rylee
No actually. I’ve watched others do it a few times, so I understand the concept.
Trey
I’ll be right there.
I tuck my phone into my back pocket. Resting my hands on my hips, I stare down at the flat and blow out a deep breath. I kneel and position the jack on the metal frame. With the vehicle still on the ground, I shove the lug wrench onto the lug nut and twist. It doesn’t budge an inch. I wipe the sweat from my brow and try again. Using all my energy, I push down on the wrench and nothing.
Tires rolling on the blacktop draws my attention. Trey’s SUV comes into view and parks next to me. He hops out and does a quick inspection of what I’ve done so far.
“That’s pretty good. You got everything in the right position.”
“The lug nuts are a little tighter than what I was expecting. I’ll have to hit the gym and work on lifting weights. These noodlely arms don’t quite cut it.” I hold up my arm and flex my bicep.
“You got some muscle there.” He squeezes my tiny bicep.
“Probably from lifting boxes of beer.”
“It’s still sexy.” He winks before squatting down to remove the lug nuts.
In a different life, Trey would be everything I’d want in a man. Bold. Confident. Assertive. Cocky, but in a playful non-asshole way once you get to know him. The last one is the one that always gets me in trouble, and that’s not what I need right now. That’s not what Abby needs. It reminds me of a sign that hung on the wall in my middle school history class. “Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it.” I’ve made the mistake once. I don’t want to do it again.
Trey finishes removing the flat tire and swaps it with the spare. He inspects the old tire, searching the tread for a nail. I’m right beside him, searching as well. Then he freezes.
“I don’t think they’ll be able to patch this one.”
“Why? What’s wrong?” My brows furrow.
“It looks like something slashed your side wall.” He runs his finger over the gash on the inside of the tire.
“Damn,” I mutter to myself as I mentally calculate how much a new tire will cost. But it’s not just one tire. At the very least, I’ll need two, so it’s even.
“Did you run anything over while you were driving?”
“Not that I can recall.”
“We’ll buy you a new tire.” He rolls the flat tire to the rear of my SUV while I grab the jack and wrench. “I’ll follow you to the tire shop. There’s a place on Maple that’s reasonable.”
“Okay.” He gives me the address and I type it into my phone’s GPS.
Three stop lights and a right turn later, I’m pulling into the parking lot of the tire shop. At the counter, I glance down at the rectangular patch on his dark blue work shirt and read his name. Clint . I tell him about the flat tire and needing a new one, but I’ll buy two if I have to, but use the least expensive brand. After typing on the computer, he informs me it will be about an hour, and I can wait in the waiting area.
“Shit.” I plop down in one of the chairs. “I’ll have to ask Marcie if she can wait for Abby for me.” I pull out my phone and send her a quick text.
Trey takes the seat next to me. “So, is this considered another date?”
“At the tire shop?”
“Sure. They have food and beverages.” He jumps to his feet. “What would you like? Chocolate chip cookie? Blueberry scone?”
“Chocolate chip cookie, please.”
“Coffee? Water?”
“Water.”
Trey collects two bottles of water in one hand and two cookies in the other. Before sitting down, he passes me one of each.
“A meal and a conversation. This is totally a date.”
I shake my head. It’s almost impossible to argue with his logic. “If you say so.” I sink my teeth into the soft cookie, the chocolate melting on my tongue. At least, one thing has gone right today. This cookie is delicious.
Trey’s knee brushes against my crossed leg. “So I was thinking. Um. I would like to meet your daughter.”
When he’s finished, he spares a glance at me as if he’s a little timid in asking me, which is the completely opposite of the Trey I’m used to.
“You would?”
“Yeah.” He shrugs a shoulder. “She’s your entire world and I want to be a part of it, too.”
I’m torn. On one hand, I enjoy my time with Trey. He’s so sweet and makes me laugh, but this isn’t what I’ve been looking for. Then there’s Abby. I haven’t introduced her to anyone I’ve dated. But we’re not dating. “It’s a big step. Weird step. She’s never met anyone I’ve been…”
“Friends with?”
A humorless laugh escapes me. “Something like that. Can I think about it?”
The corner of his lips tip up into a small smile. “Of course.” He jumps to his feet and holds out his hand for my crumpled napkin.
My phone buzzes and I pull it out of my pocket. Marcie lets me know she’ll wait for Abby at the bus stop. When Trey hasn’t returned, I glance up, and he’s talking to Clint behind the counter. Trey glances my way and flashes me his sexy dimpled smirk. A couple of minutes later, he returns to his seat.
“What was that about?” I ask.
“I wanted to make sure he got the correct tires.”
My brows pinch together. Why would he ask the tire guy about the right tires to use? It doesn't make sense. But it’s Trey. He does a lot of things that only make sense to Trey. I brush off the thought. Instead, I mentally plan what I can do to save to pay for the new tires.
When my SUV is done, Clint calls me to the counter. He passes me an envelope of paperwork along with my keys. “You’re all set.”
“What do I owe you?”
“Nothing.”
My gaze twists to Trey, and he flashes me a half-smile. Shock settles in that Trey had something to do with the paid in full receipt.
Clint adds, “It’s all paid for. There’s also paperwork in there for an extended warranty on all four tires. If you ever drive over a nail or if a tire needs to be replaced for whatever reason, it’s covered.”
“Wait. All four?”
“Yes. All four have been replaced.”
“Thank you,” I sputter out. Still in disbelief. I grab my keys and paperwork and spin around. Trey’s waiting for me by the front door, hands in his pockets, acting coy. As I approach, he pushes the door open for me.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I say as I walk past and out to the parking lot.
“It’s a date and I always pay for my dates.”
I spin around, walking backwards. “This wasn’t a date. I can’t have you buying me tires. Or anything. You shouldn’t even be buying me a table.”
Trey grabs my hand, halting my progress. “I did it because I wanted to. And when I asked if this was a date, you told me if I say so and I’m saying so.” He shrugs. “Plus, your old tires were shit. I didn’t want to find out you were in a car accident because you blew a tire or lost traction.” He tugs me closer so we’re chest to chest. His thumb brushes over my cheek sending a flutter to erupt in my belly. “Just say thank you. And if you want, you can pay me back in orgasms.” He smirks.
I bark out a laugh. “I’m not prostituting myself for tires.”
He rests his forehead against mine, dark steely gray eyes with swirling flecks of silver meet mine. “But is it prostituting if I’m giving you the orgasms? Because that’s equally enjoyable.”
I'm unable to hold back my smile. It’s like a permanent fixture whenever he’s nearby. “Thank you.”
Trey always distracts me from any problem I’m having. He spins it around and lightens the mood. He makes it easy to forget how many obstacles I face on a daily basis. I guess, to me, it’s just life. I don’t know how to handle anything else. He’s thrown my world completely off its axis. I’ve spent so many years doing everything myself, it’s hard to accept help. I lift my gaze, and his eyes are soft and sincere. He’s doing this because he wants to. Because he cares. But it’s hard to convince myself of that. I tamper down those feelings because I know he won’t have it any other way. Brick by brick he’s managing to tear down my carefully constructed wall, and it’s terrifying because at the end he’ll be gone, and I’ll be left in the rubble. Alone. Again.