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Kendra
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I left for my dinner a few minutes later, ordering an Uber even though it wasn’t too far away. I didn’t want to be late.
As soon as I got in the car, my phone lit up with a message from Tyler.
Tyler: I can't wait to see you again, sexy girl.
Kendra: Hey, don't make me blush. I'm in a car, I’ll be at the restaurant in seven minutes, and I don't want to be red in the face.
Tyler: That way, everyone will know you have someone to make you blush.
Kendra: Or they’ll think I ate chilies, like in Seattle.
I held my breath, waiting for his reply, shimmying a bit in my seat. A small part of me was all for some sexting, but...
Tyler: Text me when you're home, beautiful.
Oh, I planned to do just that. During the ride I also got a message from a contractor I’d asked for a quote on tiles and flooring. He didn’t have time until spring. I needed someone as soon as possible, but I had to push the issue to the back of my mind for now.
The dinner lasted until 10:00 p.m. I liked catching up with past clients, and it filled me with joy when they came back for more projects. But this time, I couldn't wait to get home. I debated messaging Tyler on the way, but I didn't want to start blushing in the Uber. I could wait a few more minutes until I was in my apartment; then there would be no one to witness it.
I practically jumped out of the Uber after it pulled in front of my building. There was a line in front of the elevator, so I took the stairs two at a time. My apartment was only on the third floor, so I often took the stairs; I felt like I was getting my cardio in whenever I avoided the elevator.
The second I entered my apartment I took out my phone and messaged Tyler so quickly that I nearly broke a nail.
Kendra: I'm home.
He called me the next second. I hadn't even finished taking off my shoes. Grinning, I darted straight to my bedroom, sitting on the bed, and answered him.
"Hey, Kendra," he said.
"Hey.”
"How was your dinner?"
"Great. I love catching up with past volunteers. It’s been an amazing evening.” Except for the part where the contractor didn’t have time for me. I groaned just remembering.
“But you sound a bit off.”
“You’re observant. You know how I told you about that house I bought? Well, I'm still waiting on contractors to quote me on tiles and flooring, and one said he doesn't have time until spring. I need someone who can do it now."
I moved to the center of the bed, propping myself against the pillows.
"I can talk to my brother, Luke. He's an architect, and he works with a lot of contractors."
"Oh my God! You think he'd be able to recommend someone to me?"
"I'm sure he can."
I smiled. "That would be great. Thanks so much. Wow, you are so thoughtful."
"I'll talk to him. When do you plan on moving?"
"As soon as it's done. I've wanted to own a house for years. It's almost like a dream that I thought might never happen." I held my breath, biting the inside of my cheek. This was an intimate part of me that I didn't often reveal.
"I'm guessing it’s making you feel safe after everything you've been through."
"Yes, exactly." But the weird part was, I felt safe with him, and it wasn't a feeling I was used to.
"What are you doing tomorrow?" he asked.
"Well, I'm going to be at the office all day, going through a lot of admin stuff that I couldn't do while I was away. You?"
"Management wants to talk to me."
I sat up straighter. "Oh, why?"
"They didn't say, so it could go either way."
"I'll keep my fingers crossed, and toes, and legs.” I stretched out, crossing my legs at my ankles, and leaned back into my pillows. “My God, my bed is so comfy."
"You're in your bed?" he asked.
"Yeah."
"What are you wearing?"
"Um, my clothes."
"Take them off for me."
"You're bossy on the phone too."
"Hell yes."
My nipples perked up. Hmm, I could play this game. I'd never flirted like this on the phone, but there was a first time for everything.
"What should I start with?"
"What are you wearing?"
"The same thing I was wearing at the fair."
"You had a jacket on."
"It was open."
"Kendra, the only thing I was focused on was clarifying what happened, so you had no doubt about my interest in you."
“I don’t,” I assured him in a whisper. And I didn’t. For him to come see me at the fair and clear my mind of any concerns was proof of his caring in itself.
Clearing my throat, I decided to turn things playful again. "I’m wearing a skirt and a sweater." I left out that I was also wearing tights because there was nothing sexy about that. But I desperately needed them starting in November or I’d freeze off some pretty intimate parts.
"Take off your sweater slowly."
I did as he asked, dragging my fingers up over my bra as I went. Goose bumps prickled along my skin. I heard his breathing on the phone. It was almost like he was here with me.
"It's gone," I whispered.
"And now your skirt."
"You’re getting naughty."
"You have no clue just how naughty I want to get."
I pushed down my skirt and the silly tights, letting my fingers wander back up.
"What do you want me to do with my bra and panties?"
He groaned a guttural sound that turned me on. I was instantly soaked.
"Nothing."
I blinked rapidly. "What do you mean, nothing?"
"I can't do this and not race to your place and knock down the door."
I swallowed hard. "So why don't you do it?"
"Because first I want to take you on that date I promised you. I don't want you to think this is just physical."
I blinked. Had he really said those words? I'd been dating on and off for my whole adult life, and I was sure I'd never heard it.
"Wow," I breathed, not sure what to say back.
"I mean it, Kendra. I don't want you to feel like you're my secret or something. You’re special to me, and I want you to know that."
I winced. "Is this because of what I said at the fair? I just said it because of the photo, you know?"
"I know. But I have big plans.”
"Oh? Details?"
“Just one: tomorrow will be a big day,” he said cryptically.
“Don’t be mean. I want to know more.”
“I don’t know how long the meeting will take with management. It’s at five."
"Okay." I debated trying to lure out more of what he had in mind, but I decided to let it go. I yawned, pushing down my soaked panties.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Yawning."
"There was another sound."
"Are you sure you want details? You might break down my door."
"Kendra." His voice was raspy and oh-so-deliciously commanding.
"I'm taking off my panties, okay? They're wet, and it's all your doing. You don't even have to be here and this happens to me. I'm not even sure how it's possible."
"You’re driving me crazy, woman."
I bit my lip. He wanted to take me out on a date. I wanted him to come bang down my door. Even though the devil on my shoulder was egging me to continue teasing him, he was being such a gentleman that it wasn’t fair.
"Okay, how about we call it a night?" I suggested.
"I'll be in touch tomorrow, beautiful. Good night."
I was giddy once we hung up, and I took off my bra. Instead of going to bed, I went to my pantry, glancing at the mountain of boxes I had there. They were full of books, summer clothes, along with all sorts of stuff like extra plates that I didn’t need on a daily basis. I’d booked a moving company to take them to the house the next day, so I stayed up late and packed six more boxes.
All the time, I couldn’t stop thinking about Tyler. I'd always been realistic—too realistic and focused on reality, according to Emma. Growing up, that had seemed like the only way to get through the day, and in time, it became a habit. I never let myself be silly and daydream.
But I couldn't help but daydream about my sexy hockey player.