Surprising Set-ups

Hannah

Leaving Jordan’s house after our date was difficult. I had only been in his bed for a few hours, and aside from a few wandering hands, nothing else sexual had happened. But I felt comfortable being there with him.

He asked me questions about myself and actually listened. I didn’t even have to pry to get the same questions answered. He was an open book.

Like me, he had been in romantic relationships before, but they just never worked out. There was no big drama or horrible heartbreaks; he simply never felt a lasting connection with anyone.

Listening to his deep, rumbling voice in my ear had almost lulled me to sleep.

When my phone notified me that my activity ring wasn’t closed yet, around eleven, I reluctantly untangled myself from the sheets and started to get dressed.

“We should probably be responsible and hold off on sleepovers, huh?” He leaned up with his head propped on his palm, watching me adjust and put back on the clothes he had taken off earlier in the night.

“Well, I wouldn’t mind them, but I do have to go to work tomorrow.”

“Yeah, four twenty is going to sneak up on me tomorrow,” he agreed.

My eyes widened, and I suddenly felt like an ass. “I’m sorry. I probably kept you up way past your bedtime.”

He laughed as he rolled to his side and propped his head on an elbow. His chest was on full display, and I just wanted to climb back in the bed and run my fingers up it.

He made having a hairy chest look unbelievably sexy. His body was so masculine and toned, the hair just added to that rugged, sporty look he had going on.

“I’m not complaining at all. I’m the one who suggested getting together on a weeknight.”

“You could’ve kicked me out if you needed to sleep,” I told him.

“Hannah, I was enjoying myself; why would I ask you to leave?” He smiled. “I may be a little tired in the morning, but I think the successful date was worth it.”

I felt that way too. It wasn’t some over-the-top, super fancy outing. But I felt like I got to see parts of him I hadn’t before. He shared his house with me; we got to know each other better.

This was progressing into something I could see becoming more. He wasn’t as intimidating as I had thought he would be. He really was just an average guy.

“It was a nice evening,” I agreed.

“Would you be interested in repeating it on Thursday?” he asked in that low, scratchy voice of his that made my knees weak.

I nodded, and I’m sure my smile looked ridiculous. “I don’t want you to feel like you have to cook for me.”

“Do you like to cook?” he asked curiously. “I know you held your own at the class, but you didn’t really say if you enjoyed it.”

“My thoughts about cooking aren’t of dislike. I guess it’s just a means to an end for me,” I confessed. “I can do it, but I don’t find some great joy in it.”

“Maybe you just haven’t had the right teacher,” he mused with a grin.

“Do I need to go find Mrs. Matthews?”

He sat up, and the sheets pooled around his lap. My eyes were drawn to it, and he smirked when he saw what I was looking at.

“I could teach you.”

“I’m sorry... what?” I responded distractedly.

He laughed and scooted back a little, leaning against his headboard. “I’m feeling a little objectified right now.”

“Well, I would tell you to put some pants on, but that would be a shame.” My eyes followed the sharp lines of his pecs and abs and the enticing trail of hair that led beneath the sheet that was starting to tent a little.

“You just want me for my body,” he teased and pretended to look sad.

“Am I supposed to say no to that?” I laughed as I took in his sly smile. As much as he tried to argue the contrary, we both knew he loved how I looked at him.

The attraction between us was definitely mutual, and if the way we moved together was any indication, our physical compatibility was exceptional.

“Come here,” he said, patting the bed next to himself. I had pulled my slip and panties back on, but my dress still lay forgotten on the floor.

“Aren’t I supposed to be leaving?” I scolded, hand on my hip. “You need to get to bed.”

“I think I need a goodnight kiss,” he said, pointing to his cheek and winking.

I climbed onto the bed next to him. He leaned in and cupped the side of my jaw, tenderly pressing his lips to mine.

The hum I let out couldn’t be helped, and he quickly parted my lips with his tongue. His other large hand closed around the side of my hip and pulled me closer.

“You could stay,” he murmured, kissing a trail up to my ear.

I shuddered against him, and my resolve weakened as he sucked on my skin. I wanted to climb back under the warm covers with him... but...

“I don’t want to do the walk of shame at four a.m.,” I whispered.

“You could go to the 5 a.m. class tomorrow.”

I couldn’t tell if he was serious or not. I was not a 5 a.m. exercise person.

“I can’t work out in a dress,” I pointed out. I had thought running in loose leggings was a challenge, a dress would bring all kinds of other problems.

“I wouldn’t argue,” he smiled. Of course, he would be okay with it.

“Somehow, I don’t think the heeled boots would work well on the treadmill or the rower,” I added as I pointed to my impractical shoes on his floor.

“Maybe not,” he sighed, using his fingertips to push the hair out of my face. “You could pack a bag next time.”

Was that moving too fast?

“I’ll think about it.”

“I promise it’ll feel good to get a good workout in before you start your day,” he coaxed.

I still wasn’t convinced that working out that early was a good idea.

“I guess it depends on what kind of workout you’re talking about.”

He shook his head at my giggles. “Double morning workouts could always be enjoyable too.”

“You behave,” I warned as I leaned away from him.

“I like being a bad boy.”

“You’re making it hard to go home.” I wanted to climb back into the bed and have him wrap those strong arms around me again.

“You’re just making it hard,” he said with nonchalance as he leaned back with his arms crossed behind his head.

“I’m gonna put my clothes back on now.” I laughed as I reached down to pick up my dress.

His underwear was sitting beside it on the floor, so I tossed them in his lap. Standing up to pull my dress over my head, I heard the sheets move as he covered himself up.

He sat at the edge of the bed and watched me as I pulled my dress down and bent down to put on my ankle boots.

“Are you coming to Mal’s class tomorrow night?” I asked as I straightened back up.

He sighed and shook his head. His face showed evident frustration. “Yeah…”

“Well, don’t sound too excited to see me,” I teased.

“It’s not you…just having some issues with my sister’s opinions lately.” He sighed again, rolling his eyes. I could only imagine what trouble Mallory was trying to cause.

“At least Mollie is nice.”

“She is. I just wish her twin would learn to keep her mouth shut.”

“Is there anything I can—”

He shook his head, cutting me off. “No, it’s her problem with me. She just needs to respect that my life is my own.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said. He looked frustrated, and I wished there was something I could do to fix it for him. But he obviously wanted to keep it to himself.

“I’ll walk you to your car,” he said as he swung his legs over the side of the bed.

“You gonna put on a shirt? You’ll give your neighbors a free show like that,” I told him as I ran a teasing finger down his chest.

“Eh. Let ’em look.”