He rubs the nape of his neck and sighs. “Yeah. But damn…I don’t want to let you go.”
“I’ll never let go,” I whisper, because how can I not when I’m dressed as Rose? “Obviously, I have to let you go as far as dating. But not in a pry your cold dead hand from mine kind of way.” He gives me a wry smile. “You know, why should we let go?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, why can’t we still hang out? There’s no reason we can’t still be friends.” His brow arches, full of suggestion. “And do other stuff.”
Hm. That’s a curveball I didn’t see coming, but it’s an interesting proposition. “You mean like no strings stuff?”
“Yeah, if needed. Booty Calls. Wingmen. Whatever’s needed.”
“So, friends with benefits?” It’s a bit unorthodox, but so am I, it seems. Besides, I may never find another nap partner at this rate. “I’m down for all that.”
“So, uh, we’re breaking up?” he asks.
“Yeah,” I say, wishing it could be different. “It’s best to not drag it out.”
Not to harp on the Titanic theme, but the old Chloe would hold on until Ryan realized for himself what I already know and dumped me. To put it in Jack and Rose terms, six months ago, I would’ve dragged his frozen body around with me. Horrifically morbid, I know, but that’s how tight I hold on to something and refuse to let go.
As he stares at me, my chest squeezes. On paper, Ryan seemed perfect for me. In my heart, not so much. This picky bitch in my chest may never be satisfied and that’s a scary thought. I wonder if there are any romance books where the lovelorn heroine goes from guy to guy, has fantastic sex, but ultimately dies on a hill alone? Someone should write that book.
He steps closer and trails a finger across the pink satin sash beneath my breasts. “So how do you feel about breakup sex?”
This may be the most satisfying breakup I’ve ever experienced. No pun intended. “Is that a thing?”
“We can make it one,” he says.
“I like that idea.” A last goodbye to the beard. “But where? Your mom is staying at your place and I’ve, uh, got a roommate.” Who is very judgy.
He glances across the room over to where Ruth is surrounded by a group of people, staring in rapt fascination to whatever she’s saying. “Mom’s occupied, so she won’t miss us. Follow me.”
Hand in hand, Ryan leads me through the throng of people out of the lobby to a side door covered in spiderwebs. We slip through to a long corridor and then it’s all very Jack and Rose as we run to the exit at the end. Well, it’s not as graceful as in the movie since I’m lugging this door, but I do giggle and act all breathless as he swings it open and leads me outside. In a giddy rush, we race across a large grassy lawn area and slip into an alcove of tall bushes.
“Oh, it’s like a maze in here,” I say, eyeing the surrounding space. “How very Bridgerton.” Forget Jack and Rose, I may shift fantasies to the Duke. Ugh. I can’t even stick to one guy in a fantasy. Okay, back to Jack.
“This is my secret spot,” he says. “I come here to get high sometimes.”
“It’s cool.” I drop my door on the ground. “You know, you look really hot in suspenders.” I fondle the straps, slipping my fingers beneath the dark fabric, and yank him toward me. “Did you know they originally intended them to be an undergarment? To wear them over your clothes was considered risqué.”
His hands clasp my ass, squeezing the cheeks and pulling me against his crotch. “I knew that. You think they’re hot, huh?”
“Mm-hmm.” I lean in to nip his earlobe. “I’m glad you wore them.”
“Yeah? Mom said they were a free add-on.” He cups my breasts and leans down to lick the valley between them. “What do you want for goodbye sex? Should we have anal? I’m your guy to experiment with.”
That’s a valid point, and if I’m going to attempt butt stuff, it should be with someone who has experience. However, no matter the level of expertise, on the hard ground does not seem the ideal place for butt stuff. “I’m not really comfortable with that yet. Just the regular sex will do.”
“Okay.” My breath hitches when he squeezes my nipples. “I love this dress. Wish I had my pad to sketch you.” His hands caress their way down to my waist. “I’d make sure to shadow all the curves I want to lick.” Yards of material inch up my legs, exposing them to the chilly air, as Ryan creates a wave of goosebumps, slipping his warm hand between my thighs and into my panties. “Mm. You’re wet.”
My breath curls and wafts in the cold air as our foreplay progresses to pants and moans.
“Knock. Knock,” he whispers in my ear as he fingers me.
An orgasm is up ahead, and I cling to his suspenders, wanting to ignore the interruption. “Who’s there?” I finally get out.
He peers down at me with hooded eyes. “Annie.”
Annie? Sexy times are not the time for guessing games but dammit, now I’m intrigued and it would be rude to not answer the door.
“Annie who?”
“Annie one this wet needs a good fucking.”
His finger hooks inside me, hitting a magical spot that causes my knees to sag. I groan. Both at his corny joke and the sensation of his thumb pressing against my clit.
It’s a good thing we don’t have a relationship anymore because lies no longer matter. “Good one.”
To prevent further jokes, I press my lips to his and occupy his tongue with mine. Without the beard, the sparks between us don’t ignite in an inferno, but they are hot enough to smolder in a sizzling slow burn. We kiss, slow and sensual, until I’m pawing at his zipper to free his thick length.
“Ah, feels so good,” he says, rocking into my hand as I stroke from base to tip, running my thumb through his pre-cum. Stubble rasps against my skin as he buries his face in my neck, nibbling and sucking. While I give him a hand job, I imagine we didn’t break up and everything in this clown world is right. That beard is back and there is no Austin or Bud preventing what could’ve been twin perfectly lovely flames.
“I’m going to come in your hand, if you don’t stop,” Ryan says, jerking his hips.
“Same,” I murmur, trying unsuccessfully to hook a leg around his hip to give him better access to all of my bits. “I’m so close.”
“I feel like we need to fuck on the door.”
“We’d be fools not to,” I pant out.
Within a few seconds, we’re stretched out on the plywood. After Ryan shows me they would have both fit, he rolls on top of me, and braces on one hand.
“Knock. Knock.”
He runs his fingers through my wetness, teasing me. The motion of his hand compels me to ask, “Who’s there?”
“Anita.”
Our bodies grind together. “Anita who?”
“Anita my dick in you.”
“Do it.”
Once the condom is on, I flip to my hands and knees and he hoists my skirt onto my back. Brrr. It’s cold out here. Things to be thankful for—at least we’re not in icy water.
“I’m going to take my time and savor you.” He removes my panties and covers each cheek with love-bites. The sting disappears when he follows up with an ass massage. “I really like your ass. If you ever change your mind, I will do it right.”