Taking a break before my last class of the day, I sit down on my favorite bench underneath a massive oak tree.
Relaxing back into the bench, I close my eyes and let my mind wander.
It’s been a few days since my talk with Maddy and there’s still been no sign of Ryder.
It’s like he’s disappeared off the face of the Earth.
Bentley has text me a few times though and we have made tentative plans for a weekly study session in the library.
Even if nothing comes of Bentley and I, he’s still a great guy and I wouldn’t mind getting to know him a little better.
He seems like the type of guy who would make a great friend and without Maddy around, I really need one of those.
A shadow falls over my face which pulls me from my thoughts and I open my eyes to see none other than Ryder himself standing in front of me, looking as sexy as always.
“Ryder,” I acknowledge then close my eyes again.
Just because I decided that I want to have sex with him doesn’t mean that I’m going to make it easy for him.
I feel him sit next to me on the bench but he doesn’t say anything.
When I open my eyes and glance over at him, he is leaning back on the bench with his left foot propped up on his right knee.
He has his left arm draped over the back of the bench and is staring out around the quad.
Isn’t he going to say anything to me?
I sure as hell aren’t going to be the first one to break this silence so he better do it otherwise we will sit here forever.
He seems to hesitate for a moment longer. “I have something for you.”
“Oh yeah, what’s that?” I ask, intrigued.
He pulls a bit of paper from his back pocket, then hands it to me. When I open it, I see a phone number written down in a messy scrawl, along with the name Ryder Scott.
Smiling, I ask, “Did you write your full name so I wouldn’t mix your number up with all the other ones I get?”
He smirks, “Something like that.”
I hold the bit of paper up between two fingers and stare at him. “What would you like me to do with this?”
I love that he caved first and gave me his number, it makes my plan so much easier.
Leaning in close, he smiles like he has a dirty little secret. “Well, I was thinking that you could use it to text me your answer about dinner tonight.”
“Dinner tonight?” I ask coyly.
Hopefully he means dinner and dessert because if he does, then I’m all for it.
“Yeah.”
“Why not just ask me to dinner now?” I love flirting with Ryder, there’s just something so sexy about it.
I’m starting to feel a bit of a connection with him which I’m sure will make the sex ten times better.
He shrugs, “I figure you are still playing hard to get and would play the whole, ‘I’ll check my schedule and get back to you’ thing.”
“Well in that case, I do have to check my schedule and get back to you.” Except even if I had plans, I’m pretty sure I would cancel them.
I’m already planning my outfit and I can’t wait to text Maddy to let her know that Ryder and I are going on a date.
“Okay,” he stands from the bench. “I’ll see you tonight Olivia.”
As he walks away, I call out, “I haven’t even given you my answer yet.”
He smiles over his shoulder and damn him but I want him something bad.
As soon as he disappears from sight, I program his number into my phone in case I somehow lose the bit of paper.
Then I fold the bit of paper and stuff it into my wallet.
It’s official, I’m a loser and a stalker.
Heading to class, I start thinking about what I’m going to wear again but he never said where he wanted to take me.
I figure it will be somewhere casual but I still want to look amazing.
During class, I have trouble concentrating and go over every single piece of clothing in my wardrobe.
I want to come across as sexy but like I’m not trying too hard otherwise he will see straight through me.
It’s like he can see straight through me already which is kind of daunting.
Most guys read me all wrong and I let them but Ryder seems like he knows me already.
When the professor wraps things up, I grab my belongings as quickly as possible and high tail it back to my apartment. I take my time in the shower, washing my hair and shaving off every single bit of unwanted hair below my neck.
By the time I’ve finished blow drying my hair it’s seven o’clock so I decide to text Ryder that I’m free for dinner.
He texts back almost instantly telling me that he will pick me up in half an hour.
Fuck.
Half an hour?
Is that a joke?
How am I supposed to get ready in half an hour?
Grabbing my makeup, I try to be as fast as I can but since I’m trying to treat this date like it’s no big deal I don’t bother with too much.
Walking back into my room, I pull on my favorite pair of skin tight black jeans that basically mold to my ass and some ballet flats.
High heels will seem like I’m trying too hard.
I decide to go with a cute dark green sweater that makes my eyes pop and when I take a look at myself in the full-length mirror, I have to say that I’m impressed.
I’m dressed completely casual but still look great, which is exactly what I was going for. Like I threw something together last minute but still manage to look fucking amazing.
I jump when there is a sudden knock on the door and I take my time to answer it, not wanting to seem too eager.
When I open the door, I’m greeted by Ryder who is leaning against the doorframe.
Fuck he’s sexy.
It’s like I forget how sexy he is when he leaves and it’s always a surprise seeing him again.
If it’s possible he seems to be getting hotter every time he shows up.
Or maybe my hormones are just getting even more desperate for him.
It’s probably both.
“Hey.” His eyes roam over the length of my body, taking me in leisurely and I love the fact that he doesn’t hide that he’s doing it.
“Hey yourself, what’s with the motorcycle helmet?” After a brief pause, I start to panic, “Wait, it is a motorcycle, right? Not some scooter or something because that would totally ruin the image of you I have in my head.”
Now I have two fantasies, sexy lumberjack and badass biker.
His smile is breath taking, “It is but I don’t have a spare helmet on me so do you mind if I leave this here?”
Hmmm, that’s awfully convenient.
That way, he will have to come back to my apartment to get it.
Not that I mind one little bit. “Sure.”
Grabbing his helmet, I walk over and place it on the table then grab my handbag.
After locking up, I turn to Ryder and ask, “Where are you taking me tonight?”
He gestures for me to walk into the elevator first. “El Torero, you know it?”
“Yeah I do and nice choice.” That’s actually one of my favorite Mexican restaurants and Maddy and I used to go there all the time for tacos and tequila.
“Glad you approve,” he winks and I can feel my panties dampen.
The restaurant isn’t far so we decide to walk and it’s a beautiful night. The sun is starting to set and I almost feel giddy with excitement.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been excited about going out with someone.
Ryder looks down at my feet and laughs, “Nice choice in footwear.”
“Yes, well now I’m extra glad I didn’t wear heels. I presumed you would drive me somewhere.” Although the thought of another piggyback ride on the way home has me wishing that I did wear heels.
It’s like he can read my mind. “Are you disappointed that I didn’t?”
“No, I actually like this idea.” I walk most places when I can anyway so it’s nice that Ryder doesn’t feel the need to drive everywhere.
“Good.” He looks away but I catch a small smile tugging at his lips. “I wouldn’t have minded if you wore heels again.”
“Why’s that?” I ask coyly, pretending like I have no idea what he’s talking about.
This time, he doesn’t try and hide his smile. “I’d have an excuse to carry you again.”
Hot damn.
I want to tell him that he can carry me anywhere he likes but that might seem a bit forward for the first date.
I love sex just as much as the next person but I still like people to wonder whether or not they have a chance.
Guys can get a bit cocky if they think I’m a sure thing.
The last thing I want is to lose Ryder’s interest because I seem desperate or clingy.
When we walk into the restaurant, I can’t help but laugh as he made a reservation under my name.
He winks at me as we walk to our table and I have to stop myself from grabbing on to him.
Taking our seats, I want nothing more than to position my feet right next to his so he has the opportunity to play footsies with me but I’ll save that for at least the main course.
If I can.
It’s taking everything in me to keep all of my limbs on my side of the table.
The entire dinner ends up being light and carefree.
We don’t get into each other’s personal lives but we don’t need to.
Conversation between us just flows.
Ryder is great at banter and I haven’t laughed this hard in a long time.
I didn’t think I would laugh like this at all this year with Maddy gone.
Too bad Ryder seems like the type of guy that wouldn’t want anything serious, he’s pretty fun to hang out with.
I’m almost sad when the night is over but I suggest walking back to my apartment to delay the evening from ending too quickly.
Ryder follows me inside under the guise of getting his helmet but to my utter surprise, he really walks over and picks it up.
What the fuck is he doing?
Is he really going to leave?
After the epic night we had, he can’t seriously want to call it quits now.
When he opens his mouth, I hurry to say, “Would you like a drink?” He does a quick scan of my apartment and when I notice he is looking between the two bedrooms, I point out, “My roommates not home.”
“Where is she?”
“She?” I ask. “I never said my roommate was a girl, I could live with a guy you know.”
“You could but neither room looks very masculine so I just figured…” he trails off awkwardly.
For such a confident guy he has gone weird all of a sudden. “Well you figured right and her name is Maddy. She’s actually spending her senior year in Italy.”
His eyes widen, “Really?”
“Yeah it’s a long story but I spent most of the summer there with her and she was seeing this guy so, you know.” Kind of obvious ending with that one.
Girl meets guy so great that she doesn’t want to leave him behind but is perfectly happy to leave her best friend.
It’s all very cliché.
“So her room just sits empty?”
I sigh, “Yeah, I thought about subletting it but if she changes her mind and comes home, I want her to be able to move straight back in.”
“Sounds like you guys are close.” He puts the helmet back down and I sigh in relief.
Thank god the nights not over yet.
“She’s my best friend and we’re so close we’re practically like sisters.” Which is why I find it so gross that Maddy and Tyler are secretly in love with each other.
“That must be nice.”
“It is…anyway, drink?”
“Yeah, sure.”
Grabbing two beers from the fridge, I pop the lids and hand Ryder one.
Walking over to the couch, I take a seat and wait for Ryder to join me.
He hesitates for a few seconds and looks around, “This is a nice place.”
“Thanks, where do you live?” I probably should have asked during dinner but I was having so much fun with our banter that I didn’t want it to end.
After looking around for another few minutes he finally sits down next to me. “Um, about half an hour from campus, it’s a lot more affordable.”
“Maddy and I are pretty lucky that our parents help us out but my dad is so paranoid that I’m going to get robbed or something that he picked this place himself.” We argued at length about getting this apartment but really, I was just playing mind games with him. I love this apartment and it’s so close to everything that it’s super convenient.
I wouldn’t have put it past him to change his mind if I was too agreeable.
He’s come to expect an argument from me and in most cases, I like to provide that for him.
Ryder relaxes back on the couch but he still seems a touch tense. “He sounds protective.”
That’s the understatement of the century right there. “Overly so, to the point of it being annoying. Why do you think I chose a college on the other side of the country? I was dying for some freedom.”
As soon as Tyler announced he was attending college in New York, I was over the moon.
If Tyler got to go to college all the way across the country, then that meant Dad didn’t have a valid argument for stopping me from doing the same.
He tried his hardest to convince me to stay on the west coast but I wasn’t having any of it.
Luckily Mom talked him around and I don’t even want to know how she did it. Those two are super gross with their PDA and it’s disgusting.
Ryder’s arm finds its way to the back on the couch and it’s like he’s relaxing more as the time slowly ticks by. “A protective parent isn’t exactly a bad thing, I’m sure he’s just looking out for you.”
“Yeah, you say that but wait until you meet him.” Fuck, why did I say that?
I’m basically implying that he’s going to meet my parents and this is only the second time we have gone on a date.
My only intention tonight is to fuck him so why would that thought even cross my mind?
Knowing my luck, after that comment he will probably run for the hills.
When he finishes his beer and places it on the coffee table, I figure he is close to leaving and honestly, I don’t blame him.
I’ve been coming on a little strong tonight but it’s like I can’t help it.
My body knows what it wants and it wants Ryder.
Shuffling closer to him, I place my hand on his thigh. “Do you want another beer?”
He shakes his head, “I shouldn’t, I still have to drive home.”
Which means he’s going to leave.
Think Olivia, think.
Running my hand along his thigh, I say, “You don’t have to leave so quickly, the night is still young.”
When he leans over to look into my eyes, I can see the indecision on his face so I lean forward slightly.
I don’t have to wait long for him to dip his head and brush his lips against mine.
His kiss is firm yet passionate and I open my mouth to him eagerly.
I groan when our tongues collide and I lift my body over his so I’m straddling his lap.
Grinding my lower half against him, I continue to kiss him and rub my hands over his shaved head.
When his hands stay firmly planted on my thighs, I get frustrated.
Tonight isn’t going at all how I thought it would.
Grabbing the hem of my sweater, I break our kiss to pull it over my head and throw it across the room.
Leaning in to kiss him again, I’m surprised when his hands stay rooted to my thighs.
My hands wander over his chest and down his abs but he still doesn’t move.
Reaching behind my back, I’m about to undo my bra clasp when his hands reach up to stop me.
Sitting back, I stare at him in confusion. “What are you doing?”
He seems to be battling with himself. “I didn’t ask you out tonight with the intention of fucking you Liv.”
Really? Well he could have fooled me. “But you left your helmet here as an excuse to come up here after our date.”
Shaking his head, he says, “No, that’s my spare helmet. My helmet got stolen and since that’s the only other one I have, I didn’t want that one to get stolen too.”
Seriously? “Oh, but…I don’t get it.”
Ryder brings his hands up to his face and starts rubbing vigorously. “Liv, I asked you out tonight because I like you. I want to get to know you.”
What the fuck is happening right now? “So, just to clarify, you don’t want to have sex with me?”
“Not tonight.”
Well, this is new.
I can’t say this has ever happened to me before.
“Not tonight? What are you, some kind of girl?” I don’t get it, I’m basically serving myself to him on a silver platter and he’s saying no?
He seemed like all the other guys I normally have casual sex with so this is definitely an interesting development.
Who would have thought that Ryder would ask me out because he wants to get to know me? If Bentley wants to ask me out just to fuck me then I know something is wrong with the world.
“That comment is a bit sexist don’t you think?” His eyes glint with humor but I don’t find him very funny right now.
I’m horny as fuck and I have been looking forward to tonight ever since he asked me out. “Ryder, I’m in my bra and straddling your lap. I’m a sure thing, you don’t have to feel bad about sleeping with me. Hell, you don’t even have to take me on any more dates if you don’t want to.”
“Liv,” he grabs my face in his strong hands. “I’m telling you that I want to get to know you before I sleep with you. I like you and don’t want to rush things.”
“Rush things?” I ask in confusion.
He nods, “Yeah, what’s the hurry?”
“What is this? The fucking twilight zone?” I push his hands off my face. “You flirt with me, take me out on a date and eye fuck me the whole night. You come back to my apartment, give me a nickname and tell me you don’t want to rush things? What’s next? You’re going to instill some fucking five date rule like some romantic comedy.”
He thinks it over for a moment, “A five date rule doesn’t sound too bad.”
“What?” Standing up from his lap, I start pacing my living room. “Are you fucking with me right now?”
He has to be fucking with me, right?
This is just another one of those games we play with each other.
Some kind of weird kinky banter where he pretends he doesn’t want me.
I felt his dick when I was grinding on his lap so I know he is into me, that thing is at full mast and I can still see a bulge in his jeans.
Like he can read my thoughts he starts rearranging his pants. “No Liv. I’m serious. I like you but I don’t just want to fuck you once and then forget about you. I would like to date you.”
“Date me?” I really didn’t see that one coming.
I thought I had Ryder pegged as the player.
At least that’s how he comes across.
I had everything sorted so clearly in my head. Bentley’s the nice guy who would be looking for more and Ryder’s the bad boy who would fuck my brains out a few times then call it quits.
How did I get that so wrong?
My instincts are normally spot on.
He stands and walks over to me, wrapping his hands around my waist. “Yes, date you. Have you never dated someone before?”
“Of course I’ve dated before,” I say angrily.
I’m not a moron, I know how dating works.
He starts rubbing his hands along my waist but keeps his eyes on mine. “Then why is it such a surprise that I want more than sex from you?”
Looking away from him, I mutter, “I don’t know.”
His hands tug my body closer to his. “Look, your five-date rule doesn’t seem like too bad of an idea-”
“It wasn’t my idea,” I snap.
He smirks, “But you brought it up.” Rubbing his hands up my back, he waits until I’m looking at him before he speaks, “All I’m asking is a chance to get to know you before we sleep together. I don’t want you to wake up tomorrow morning and forget about me.”
“Like that could happen.” Ryder’s not exactly an easy guy to forget.
Especially for blowing my mind tonight and not in the way that I was planning.
“Five dates, please?” he pouts and I have to admit it’s pretty cute.
Fuck it.
Five dates won’t be so bad.
Wait until I tell Maddy about this, she will probably have a heart attack.
The fact that Ryder isn’t just interested in a one-night stand is surprising, but in a good way.
I actually like it.
I like him too which is the only reason I’m even thinking about agreeing to this stupid rule.
Besides, we’ve had two dates already so really, it’s only three more dates.
Three more dates will be easy.
Maybe I can convince him to have lunch and dinner with me on the same day and count it as two dates.
“Fine,” I grumble.
His smile is instant and he leans down to kiss me.
Since I know I’m not getting any tonight, I don’t put much effort into the kiss.
Ryder laughs against my mouth, “Don’t be like that Liv, I’m trying to be a good guy here.”
“Maybe I wanted the bad guy.”
He winks at me, “Maybe I can be both.”
Hmm, I like the sound of that. “So when are these next three dates happening? Are you free tomorrow?”
His eyebrows scrunch together in confusion, “But we said five dates.”
Someone isn’t very good at math. “And we’ve had two, so that leaves three more.”
He starts to argue but then blows out a puff of air, “You’re right.” He starts laughing to himself, “You’re a sneaky one Liv. Fine, three more dates but none of this meeting up for coffee for ten minutes. I want proper dates, where we talk.”
“Talk,” I deadpan.
He’s smiling like an idiot but I can’t bring myself to smile back. “Yes, talk. Like we did tonight. I want to get to know you Liv.”
“Why?” Most guys are happy for a quick fuck and then move on, it’s what I’ve become accustomed to and it suits my lifestyle. I hate being tied down and the few guys I have dated started to get clingy after a few months.
His hands continue to wander up and down my back. “Because you’re beautiful, smart, funny-”
“Those attributes could be said about anyone,” and they aren’t exactly original.
“Fine. You’re confident, sexy as hell and you know it, you know what you want and you aren’t afraid to go out and get it. I’ve never met someone like you before Liv and I don’t want to miss my chance with you.”
“You know you could fuck me tonight and I would still go on three more dates with you,” I say, trying to convince him one last time.
He leans down to kiss me again, “I know, but this seems more fun.”
“I don’t know about that,” I say sarcastically.
“Delayed gratification.” When I stare at him blankly, he laughs. “I thought you were an English major.”
He continues to laugh as he slaps me on the ass and walks over to the table to grab his helmet.
“You’re seriously leaving?” I honestly thought at some point he would tell me he was joking and whisk me into his arms.
“Yes, I’m seriously leaving but what are you doing this weekend? We should plan something for date number three.”
Weekend? Why wait that long? “What about tomorrow?”
He smirks while finally staring down at my breasts, “It’s hot that you want me so badly.”
Rolling my eyes, I walk over to the door and open it. “Text me and if I feel like replying then I will.”
He kisses me as he struts past and I slam and lock the door as soon as he is out of the way.
Placing my top back on, I grab my laptop and open a new email to Maddy. I madly bash away on the keys to get my frustrations out.
Tonight was complete bullshit.
I was supposed to be having orgasm after orgasm and instead, I’m by myself, emailing my best friend.
How sad it that?
Underneath all of my anger, I have to admit that it’s kind of nice that Ryder wants more with me but he could have more with sex still on the table.
He didn’t need to take it out of play all together.
He’s certainly an enigma and one I didn’t expect to have to try and figure out.
After my novel length complaint to Maddy is finished, I hit send and get ready for bed.
Just as I get under the covers, my phone lights up with a text from Ryder but I’m too angry to look at it.
If he’s going to make me wait five dates to have sex with him then he can wait five days for me to reply to his message.