Page 13 of Swimming for Seduction

“It’s okay to be vulnerable as long as you’re not feeling it alone,” she whispers before pulling my face to hers and kissing me slowly.

I’m not sure if her words were for me or herself, but either way, I’m not passing up the chance to feel this with her. I take her ass in my hands, squeezing in time with the movement of her lips on mine. We make out like that for several minutes until the feeling of my cum drying in my boxers gets too uncomfortable to ignore and I break our kiss with a nervous chuckle.

“I should clean up,” I tell her when she arches a brow.

As much as I want to beg her to join me in the shower, I’m also scared of where it will lead. If I thought what we did earlier made me vulnerable, what would having sex with this temptress do to me? I know she’s not ready for the kind of relationship I want with her, and I don’t think I can give her that part of myself until she is.

“I’ll order pizza for dinner,” she says, either oblivious to my inner debate or choosing to ignore it as we walk into the living room. She stops to pick up her phone, seemingly ignoring me as she taps at the screen. My shoulders slump as I walk past her toward the hallway, certain that she’s putting that wall back in place when she surprises me yet again. “I think I’ll haveyoufor desert.”

Chapter 11

Ricki

I grown as I stretch my muscles after waking in Tyler’s bed alone.

When he’d stepped out of the hallway in his low-slung black joggers and tank top last night, I wanted to forget the pizza sitting on the coffee table and eat him instead. He’d unknowingly awoken something inside of me that I couldn’t find a way to put back to rest. I’d never lusted after someone like this before, and I didn’t know what to do other than to give into it until these unwelcome feelings eventually leave with him. Because, let’s face it, menalwaysleave.

It’s what my father did to my mother long before his death took her hope for a life with him away for good. The only wayto avoid the heartache I’ve watched my mom face my whole life was to be the one to bolt first. But I refused to do that until I’d satiated this new hunger. I should have known it wouldn’t be that simple with my nemesis turned obsession.

Tyler stalked past me like I wasn’t drooling over him and plated our food before flopping onto the opposite side of the couch. I was left to either eat my food and pretend I was just as unaffected as he seemed to be or let him know how much I wanted him by making a move. So, I sullenly ate my pizza as we watched reruns ofSupernatural, wishing that my monsters were as easily slayed as the ones that Sam and Dean faced.

I wanted to cast Tyler as one of those monsters, but I knew that wasn’t true. He’d told me that he was mine and he’d given me more power than anyone else in my life ever had. But I didn’t know what to do with it. The self-assured woman that greeted him earlier was no where to be found and I could tell that it was affecting him as much as it was me. When it became clear to both of us that the night wasn’t going to end how either of us wanted, he’d insisted that I take his room while he slept on the couch.

I sigh as I finally drag myself out of bed, following the smell of fresh coffee. When I make it to the kitchen to find a note tucked under a canister of my favorite protein powder, my heart sinks.

Ricki,

I’m sorry you’re waking to this note instead of my smile.

I wanted to invite you to come to Thanksgiving dinner with my folks, but I know you’re not ready for all that. If I’m wrong, feel free to call me for the address.

But if I’m right and you need some space, I’ll stay with my parents until Sunday when you can return to your dorm.

If I don’t hear from you sooner, I’ll see you next month for Christmas Eve dinner at Aunt Chelsea’s.

Forever yours,

Tyler

P.S. – Yes, you are still my plus one. No, you can’t get out of it. It’s for your own good.

I smile as I read the first half of the note. I’m almost tempted to call him until I get to the line about dinner at his aunt’s house next month. Where I’m expected to introduce myself to Brady whether I’m ready to or not.

How had I let myself get so wrapped up in the power he’d offered me yesterday that I’d forgotten…I have zero control when it comes to Tyler Sheppard?

Tyler

I fucked up. I never should have left that note on my counter before leaving my apartment Thanksgiving morning. Ricki hasn’t returned a single text or answered a single one of my calls since. I knew reminding her of the dinner I’d coerced her into attending was a risk, but she needed to know that while I may submit to her, I’m still going to look out for what’s best for her. In this case, that’s making her face her fear of rejection by her estranged brother.

I’m sitting in the bleachers, watching as my girl glides through the water, taking first place in the 50 yard freestyle. Classes ended a week ago for the winter break, but today is the last swim meet of the year. I’d love nothing more than to take her out to celebrate her win today, but I doubt she’s going to be happy to see me. Nevertheless, I’m waiting for her outside the locker room after the last event is finished.

As expected, she attempts to step around me without a second glance. But I didn’t miss the way her eyes flashed withexcitement when she first saw me. Or the way they fell with sadness before rolling as she squared her shoulders.

“You beat your best time, today,” I say as I follow her toward the parking lot. “You’re a goddess in the water,firecracker.” I use the nickname in hopes of getting some kind of reaction instead of the cold shoulder I’ve gotten the past four weeks.

“What do you want, Tyler?” she spits as she spins around to face me.

“You,” I tell her honestly, earing me another eyeroll. “Okay. I wanted to let you know that I’ll pick you up at seven on Sunday.”

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