Chapter 7
SEVEN
Hartford
Soft music plays from the stage in the back of Pour Some Sugar On Me coffee shop as I enjoy my latte. While I take another sip, I stare at my phone, contemplating my sanity. Paxton’s text feels like it’s screaming at me.
You’ve got a package.
It’s not just a package. It’s a vibrator that he is going to control while it’s on me.
“In public,” I whisper, covering my face with my hands.
“Hey, Hartford, you all right?”
I drop my hands and plaster on a smile. “Hey, February. Yes, I’m fine. This pistachio latte is delicious and the musician Harrison hired is amazing.”
February and Harrison opened this coffee and music shop just a few months ago. It’s become wildly popular in that short amount of time. The vibe is relaxing, comforting almost. I love coming here to clear my head.
Which is usually a lot easier when I’m not thinking of my best friend controlling a vibrator that is being held in my panties with a magnet.
“Thanks,” February says, tucking her dirty-blonde hair behind her ear. “Definitely the best decision I’ve ever made.” Even though she’s talking to me, her blue eyes linger on her boyfriend, Harrison.
Harrison’s a solid guy. We go way back to high school. Now, Magnolia Ridge and Magnolia Point are separate high schools, but back then, we all roamed the same halls.
Paxton and Harrison played football together and were good friends.
They’ve stayed in touch all these years, but I hadn’t seen Harrison until he moved here a few months ago.
You could see the love he has for February shining in his eyes.
Made me a little jealous if I’m being honest. I’ve never seen anyone have that look when they talk about me.
After I met February, I understood. She’s so darn sweet and was excited to meet me. Apparently, Paxton talks about me to just about everyone and she couldn’t wait to put a face to the name.
The four of us have met up for drinks at Atta Boy Brewery a few times and it’s always a lot of fun.
“Seriously, are you all right?” she asks, bringing me back to the present.
“Yeah, I’m just focused on work.” It’s not a total lie.
“Would you like a refill?” she asks, smiling.
“No, but thank you. I need to get going. I wish I could hide out here all day, but research and articles wait for no one.”
She steps closer, picking up my empty cup. “What research are you doing?”
My entire body flushes with embarrassment as I scramble to think of a response. There’s no way I’m telling her I need to go home and try on the vibrator that Paxton ordered for me before he uses it on me.
What the hell am I doing?
“It’s not exciting enough to talk about,” I say with a noncommittal shrug. “Thanks for the latte. I’ll be back tomorrow for my daily caffeine boost.”
We say our goodbyes and I walk outside, closing my eyes as a sense of relief washes over me. I don’t like lying, especially to my friends, but if anyone knew what Paxton and I were doing, they wouldn’t understand. They would jump to the conclusion that we are dating or actually into BDSM.
My phone alerts me that I have a text and I pull it out as I start the short walk home.
I haven’t heard back from you. Do you not like it?
I’m on my way home now. I was out.
Are you visiting community munches without me, Hart?
Ha. Ha. I was at Pour Some Sugar On Me.
I should’ve known. You’re so predictable.
You thought I was at a community munch.
I was joking.
Where are you?
Your place, waiting for you.
Why are you at my house?
Well, since I’m leaving for a work trip tomorrow, I thought we could have our usual night of dinner and drinks before I leave.
I close my eyes, shaking my head. I completely forgot about his trip. My mind is so focused on this BDSM article and the things we’re supposed to be trying that I lost track of everything else.
My cheeks puff up as I blow out a lung full of air. For a minute, I thought he was waiting to see the vibrator, or hell, maybe use the thing.
As I approach my place, I see Paxton leaning against the grill of his Jeep. My heart skips a beat at the sight, and I tell myself I’m simply happy to see him before he leaves. When he’s gone, I miss him terribly. It’s lonely without his big mouth and muscular body.
Yes, you’d have to be blind not to notice his body.
“Took you long enough,” he says, pushing off his Jeep.
“I didn’t realize I was supposed to rush home for you.”
We both laugh and he wraps his arm around my shoulders. “I rush home to you every time I leave.”
Butterflies take over my stomach, causing an ache inside me. Which is weird because I’ve never reacted this way before. Why now?
“You rush home for me?”
He bumps his shoulder against mine. “For Pad Thai, Hart. I crave the Pad Thai.”
“Yeah, I know,” I say, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear as I avoid eye contact.
“Here’s your package,” he says, handing me a little brown box.
“You took my package from my porch?” I ask as we walk to the door.
“You’re damn right I did. Packages get stolen daily and the thief would be all too happy to get that little baby.” He wiggles his eyebrows. “It’s small. I thought it would be bigger.”
I open the door and we step inside. “I thought size didn’t matter?”
He cracks a grin and follows me to the kitchen. “That’s what guys with small dicks say. I don’t say that.”
“So, your dick is big?” I drop the package on the counter and open the fridge, suddenly needing water. I can’t believe I just asked him that question.
“You wanna see for yourself?”
I spin around, my eyes nearly popping out of my head. “What? Hell no, never.”
He smirks and picks up the package. “Relax, I’m kidding. But good to know you never want to see my dick. It’s a real ego booster.” He shakes the package. “Open this thing already.”
“First, give me that.” I snatch the package out of his hands and hold it behind my back. “Second, you certainly don’t need me to give you an ego boost. You get enough of that from everyone else.”
It’s true. The way women react to him is slightly sickening at times.
If I were a jealous person, I would feel the desire to claw out their eyes so they stop eye fucking him.
And it’s not just the women, it’s men too.
They want to know how he gets women to their knees with a simple look, and my favorite is when they ask what his workout routine is.
Yes, he’s good-looking. Ugh, no, that’s not true. He’s a damn Adonis god.
I refuse to let his head get any bigger. Even if the idea of seeing how big his dick is made my nipples harden. He says something, but I’m not listening. Not paying attention, because all my thoughts are thinking about how this man gives off big dick energy.
“Earth to Hartford.”
I blink. “What?”
He leans closer, crossing his muscular arms across his solid chest. “I said, my ego is only boosted when it’s a compliment from you.”
I smile, loving how he’s capable of making me feel special. “All right, smooth talker. Are we staying in or going out?”
“Hart, if you don’t open that vibrator, I’m gonna do it for you.”
My cheeks heat and I drop my gaze to his feet. “I don’t want to open it in front of you,” I whisper.
His fingers lift my chin, tipping my head up. “After my trip, I’ll be controlling that vibrator while you wear it.” His voice is low and deep, almost seductive. “I think it’s safe to open it in front of me.”
Holy fuck. My panties just got wet at the idea of Paxton controlling my orgasm. I’ll need to dissect that feeling later. Alone.
His green eyes stay locked with mine, searching for something I would totally give him at this moment. Our faces are inches apart, and I can feel his warm breath blowing across my skin.
It’s Paxton standing in front of me, but the urge to push up on my tippy toes and see what his lips feel like is overpowering. It seems like we stare at each other for days until he breaks the spell I’m under.
“Hart, you all right?”
“What?” I ask, confused.
He blows out a breath and pulls me in for a hug. “Christ, you scared me. I’m used to you zoning out, but damn, that was an entirely different level. I thought you were having a medical issue or something.”
Oh my God, I imagined it all, didn’t I? There’s no connection happening. There’s no deep, seductive voice, eye searching, or lips close to mine. It’s a fantasy. Just like this entire thing happening between us. Or should I say not happening between us?
Paxton’s helping me as a friend. There’s nothing else there. It’s clear to him. I need to keep reminding myself this is an experiment for work. Nothing more.
I roll my eyes as I pull away from him. “I’m fine, no medical issue happening.”
Unless wet panties caused by a figment of my imagination is a medical issue. Which I highly doubt.
“Let’s just order some Pad Thai and watch a movie. I need to be on the road early, so I’m going to need to cut our night short.”
“Okay, that works,” I say, getting myself under control.
He takes the package and tears it open, then pulls the pink vibrator package out. “Well, she’s cute.”
I reach for it, but he holds it above his head. It sucks being the short one. “Paxton Atwood, give it to me.”
He keeps his attention on the vibrator box, reading the back instructions. “Check this out. I can download an app and control this thing right from my phone.” He opens up the box, pulling out the device.
I study it. “So, I guess this one part goes inside my panties, and oh look at this.” I hold a small magnetic pink heart in my hand. “This heart goes on the other side of my panties, keeping it in place. Neat.” I don’t know how I feel about this thing.
I notice Paxton is busy tapping away on his phone.
I set the device down and stare at him. “You’re going to download a vibrator app onto your phone?”
He stops what he’s doing and looks at me. “How else do you expect me to control it?”
My eyes widen. “Your brothers might see it.”
“So?”
“What would they think?” All I can picture is the Atwood brothers discovering the app and going rogue with it.
He grins. “They’d think I’m happy to please a woman.”
“They wouldn’t question you about it? I mean, they know you’re not seeing anyone.”
Paxton stares at me, studying me before speaking, “Listen, I know you’re nervous and I value your feelings, but trust me, nobody is going to see this app.” He lets out a deep sigh. “My brothers don’t take my phone and study it.”
I laugh at my ridiculous thoughts. He’s right. “Let’s just order some food. And watch Fifty Shades Of Grey for research.”
For the rest of the evening, things are easy between us, and my anticipation grows. Soon I’ll have Paxton getting me off in public. The scene with Meg Ryan faking an orgasm in When Harry Met Sally comes to mind, and I wonder if I’m ready for this.
But nothing could prepare me for what really happens.