Sorry for the long wait! Without further ado...
He was surprised when her name popped up on his caller ID. She'd never called him before, only texted.
"Hello?" he answered trepidatiously. Technically, it was an unexpected call from his boss.
"This is your fault, you know," she said unkindly.
"What's my fault?" He walked slowly along the bridge as the girls played below him.
"I took your advice and spent a few days with my sister to help her out with the funeral arrangements," she said haughtily.
"Uh huh."
"And now, she wants to plan a trip down here for her and her family."
He smiled at how annoyed she sounded. "That sounds nice."
"No! It's not," she replied. "Her kids hate me. Her husband is annoying. And she is overbearing. I had separated myself from them. I had broken free. But, thanks to you, now I'm all tangled up with them again."
He held back his chuckle. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because it's your fault!" she yelled shrilly. "And also," she continued slowly, "I'm trying."
"Trying what?"
"This whole...you know...friendship, thing."
It was hard to control his smile. Thankfully Blue was looking up at him and chattering quietly so to anyone watching, it would look like he was smiling at her.
"Good. I'm proud of you," he said.
She cleared her throat. "I think you owe me an apology."
He laughed. "Okay. Sure. I'm sorry."
"Not the kind of apology I was looking for," she said smoothly.
"Oh, I know what kind of apology you're looking for. But tonight's not good for me. It's Barry's birthday. We're going out with some friends."
"How about tomorrow?"
"Sure. Sounds good," he said. He decided to press harder. "If you come over right after work I could make us some dinner, too."
There was a long pause. "You want to make me dinner?"
"I'm making myself dinner either way," he said casually. Keeping it casual, that was the key. "I'm inviting you to join me. It's part of that friendship thing you were talking about earlier. But you don't have to accept."
"Isn't there a rule about eating before sex?"
"Only if we're having sex in a pool."
"Oh, right," she said, and he happily noted she sounded like she was smiling. "What are you thinking of making?"
"I don't know. Burgers, maybe?"
She grumbled in disgust. "No thanks."
He laughed. "I can make something else."
"No, don't worry about it," she said. "Maybe I'll join you another time."
"Yeah, alright. Swing by when I'm making filet mignon or something fancy," he joked.
"I have to take baby steps, you know? This kind of friendship is new to me. Also-" She cut off suddenly.
"Also, what?" he pried.
"Dinner and then sex?" she questioned. "I'm not an expert, but I'd say that's a date."
"I wasn't asking you for a date," he said laughing.
"I'm not taking any chances. You're not going to trick me into dating you, Grady."
"Well, there goes my master plan."
"I'm sure." She sighed. "There's really no way for you to meet me tonight?"
"Not unless you're okay with a quickie in a bathroom stall at the sports bar we're going to."
Barry waved to him from the platform by the stairs. Owen nodded to him and crept his way along the bridge towards his friend.
"No, thank you," she said with great distaste.
"Then you're out of luck," he said sadly. "Sorry, sweetheart."
"You can't make any time for me, Grady?" she asked in a dangerously sweet voice. "Not even if I promised another apology?"
He smiled. "Don't tease me, woman. I'm about to be in ear shot of the birthday boy, by the way, so I should probably go."
"What if I begged?" she asked. "You like it when I beg, don't you?"
"I love it when you beg," he said.
"I'm begging you, Grady," she said in a breathless voice. "I need you. Please."
Barry shouted to him as he was all but crawling on the bridge. "Who are you talking to?"
"My mother," he lied.
"Your mother?" Claire asked. "How very Freudian of you."
"Have you stopped your teasing?" he asked.
She hummed. "Not quite. Keep your phone on you tonight."
"Why?" he asked cautiously - not that he didn't always have his phone on him anyway. Who didn't these days?
"I might send you some texts," she commented idly.
"Pictures?"
"If you're nice."
"I'm always nice."
"I might beg some more, too," she said.
"About how much you want my body?" he asked cheekily.
"About how much my body misses your tongue."
"Just my tongue, huh?"
"No, not just."
He was finally standing in front of a curious and annoyed Barry. "Alright, I got to go, Mom."
"Remember to keep your phone on you."
...
She didn't wait long before texting him. Towards the end of his work day, he had already received two very flattering text from her regarding his ability to be "so deep" inside of her.
Just got out of the shower. I guess you could have come over and joined me in there, he texted just to taunt her.
Damn it, Grady. What were you thinking? I could have been on my knees in that shower giving you another apology.
He laughed quietly as he dried off and found a change of clothes.
And now I'm putting clothes ON. This just doesn't seem right. You should be here talking clothes off of me.
Or drying you off from your shower, she said. You could take me on your bathroom counter.
I don't know what the hell has gotten into you, he texted her, smiling and shaking his head. But whatever it is, I like it.
You. You've gotten into me. Quite a few times, actually. And it's been a pleasure every time.
So you're not like this with the other men in your life?
He realized he was holding his breath as he waited for her reply, which seemed to be taking longer than her other texts. He wasn't sure why he felt like he needed to know if he was the only one she was currently having this sort of affair with. They'd never made any deal about being exclusive and he knew she'd been on some dates - like with Browning, for instance, but that was when they hadn't met for a few months.
Do you really want to talk about what I may or may not do with other men when we could be talking about what I want to do with you? she asked evasively. Like how I want to wrap my legs around you and feel your hands on my waist. No one could say she wasn't good at distractions.
Now, let me get the full picture, here, he said as he left his trailer. Am I already inside you at this point?
No, but I'm sitting on your lap and I've got you in my hand.
Nice. I'm about to get on my bike and ride over to the bar so I won't be able to talk. But you keep sending the play-by-play of this fantasy you've got going on and I'll see what I can do about making it come true.
She didn't immediately respond and he was already running a little late so he quickly stashed his phone in his pocket and straddled his bike. He was sure it was just his imagination as he drove to the sports bar, but it felt like his phone was vibrating against his leg every few seconds. When he got off his bike and walked to the bar, he checked and saw he only had three missed messages from her.
You better drive safe on that death trap. I will be so mad if you die before fucking me at least one more time, was the first text.
This is absolutely ridiculous, you know. I don't know why I'm even wasting my time texting you these things when I know I'm not seeing you until tomorrow anyway. I should just take a sleeping pill and go to bed. Or maybe I should just call another willing guy... There's bound to be SOMEONE on this island who's free tonight, was the second; and he didn't like the flare of jealousy he felt at what he read.
The third was a little more fun for him: I do not think it's fair that the last time we were together YOU were the only one to come. I realize that you had been mad at me and that I was essentially apologizing for upsetting you, but still. You could have returned the favor. Maybe then I wouldn't feel like I was going out of my mind thinking about your head between my thighs, and your tongue and your fingers and my hands in your hair and your hands on my hips and breasts.
You know I'd have you in my bed right now if I could, he texted her when he spotted Barry at the bar with a small group of friends.
You said you'd always be available when I needed you. I. Need. You.
He smirked and his his phone in his pocket for the time being as he greeted his friends and ordered a beer.
"I've got your next round," he told Barry who held up his bottle in thanks.
"Glad you could make it," he said over the loud chatter and music. Owen gave him a strange look, unsure of what his tone was supposed to mean. "I didn't know if maybe your new mysterious lady friend would have you busy tonight."
Owen gave him a sly look and quickly peeked at those around them to see if anyone was listening. "Are you ever going to let that go?"
Barry shook his head. "I'm curious as to who had you calling for a transport at five o'clock in the morning."
"It's was one time, man," Owen argued. "And I bought you breakfast to make up for it."
"You left your own party to be with her. She's either something very special or she just has your wrapped around her finger."
He could feel his phone vibrating in his pocket but he refused to look at it while Barry was being so inquisitive.
"Are you still seeing her?"
Owen nodded and took a long chug from his beer. "I might need something stronger if you're going to keep asking me about her."
"Sure!" he agreed enthusiastically. "Let's get you drunk. Maybe then I'll get some real answers out of you."
"Can't you just enjoy your birthday like a normal person?" Owen teased.
The crowd around them broke into a ruckus cheer at something happening during the soccer game playing on the television that they weren't paying attention to. Barry, being interested in the sport, had his attention drawn away long enough that Owen felt safe to peek at his phone.
I want you on top and inside of me.
You've got a perfectly good set of fingers, hon. Use your imagination.
He locked the phone's screen and shoved it back in his pocket before anyone noticed. He wondered if she'd take offense to his suggestion. He also wondered if she'd follow through on it.
He took another long swig of his beer. He was already feeling a little hot under the collar and the alcohol wouldn't help him get cooler but it might help numb his mind so he wouldn't be so preoccupied thinking about Claire masturbating. He jumped into a conversation with some of his friends to distract himself and bought Barry another beer when he was ready. Eventually he pulled far enough away from his group, sitting a few stools down on the bar and pulled out his phone again.
Next time you want me, I'm going to tell you to use your hand and you tell me if that makes you feel better.
But did you use your hand or not? He questioned.
Not.
Do it.
No.
It'll help.
Oh my God. I can't talk to you about this.
But you can talk about wanting me to tongue-fuck you?
"Who are you texting?" Barry asked jeeringly, suddenly at his side and clapping him on the back.
"Jesus Christ, Bar," Owen said, startled.
"Girlfriend?" he asked.
Owen shook his head. "She's not my girlfriend."
"I saw the name." Owen froze and stared wide-eyed at his friend. "Well, I saw part of the name," he admitted. "I saw a 'C' and an 'A.' Cathy?" He guessed. "Cara? Carly? Cameron?"
Owen smiled and shook his head, looking at his beer bottle. "I should probably save her number under a different name."
"How about 'Master'?"
"I'm really not that whipped, you know."
"I'm not so sure about that."
"Am I with her tonight?" he challenged.
"Not yet," Barry said knowingly.
"No," Owen said, shaking his head. "Not tonight. It's your birthday, so I'm staying here." He took a quick swig. "That's right - I'm giving up sex for you."
Barry smiled and patted his back again. "Don't make any sacrifices for me, my friend. You know I wouldn't do the same for you."
"Ouch," Owen laughed. "I guess I'm just a better friend than you."
"Is she really asking you to meet up with her?"
Owen smiled as he felt his phone buzz with another text. "Yep."
Barry shook his head, grinning. "Something's wrong with you."
He shrugged. "I'm letting her sweat it out. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?"
Another loud cheer from the crowd watching the game erupted and pulled Barry's attention away from his friend. Owen was free to check his phone again.
I'm just going to go to sleep, she said. Maybe I'll have a nice dream.
I'm telling you, just use your hand. Just pretend it'a mine.
He knew he could leave the bar and go see her. Barry wouldn't care, really. But he kind of liked putting her off like this. He felt it was important for her to know that he could say no and put his foot down. Also, he really loved that she was as frustrated as she was.
Your hand feels better than mine.
The alcohol was getting to him. He hadn't had that much but he'd been drinking fast.
God, I want you, he sent to her.
I want you too.
I want to be buried in you.
I want you on top of me.
I want you riding me, he countered.
I want you to have me against a wall.
I want to have you on my desk again.
I want you to bend me over mine.
Well, shit, he thought. He was only getting more and more turned on.
We have to stop. It's going to get pretty embarrassing for me soon if we don't.
I'll see you tomorrow. Until then, make sure you think about me all alone. In my bed. Naked. Thinking about all the things we could be doing to each other. All the ways I want you to take me. Getting myself off with my fingers and wishing they were yours.
She made it very difficult to resist her.
Just don't tire yourself out before tomorrow.
Never.
He smiled and quickly down the rest of his beer before ordering another.
Mostly just flirty, sexy fun. But whatever. Next chapter will be up soon. That's a promise!
