My Anchor (Trio Series Book 1) (2 page)

A little more flirting and playing hard to get, Clay buys me one more drink. After I finish we are off to his place. I don't see Shana or Cristal when we leave, I guess they already left.

His place really isn't too far from the bar, a nice apartment complex with a private entrance.

“Nice place,” I say as we get through the door.

“Thanks. You want a drink?” He asks grabbing himself a beer from the fridge. “Nope, I'm good,” I say and walk up to him taking his beer and setting it down on the counter. He smiles, damn that smile, yep definitely a good choice for the night. Putting his hands in my hair he tilts my head back and kisses me. I moan into his mouth causing him to kiss me harder then his hands drift downward. He grabs the back of my thighs and lifts me onto the counter top, wrapping my legs around his waist I grind myself into his erection. “Damn girl.” He says between kisses. “Let's go to my room. Don’t want my roommate to come out and see us.” I nod and follow him to his room.

In the morning when I wake up Clay is nowhere to be seen. Good, no awkward goodbye. I get out of bed and start the search for my clothes. I have that nasty taste in my mouth and I'm sure I have some serious raccoon eyes. Oh, the magical walk of shame. I grab my purse, find my mirror and check out my face. Not too bad. I try and rub away the mascara flakes from under my eyes and the lipstick smears off my mouth. There that’s a little better. I take the hairband I always have wrapped around my wrist and throw my hair up into a messy bun, now it doesn't look I slept in a batch of pine cones. Taking a deep breath I open the door and walk out of his room.

“So you are alive.” A deep voice startles me. I look around and my eyes land on someone in the kitchen, someone not being Clay. This must be the roommate. He has his back to me and is drinking a bottle of water. His gray tee shirt is wet and I can see his muscles flexing under it. Then I zero in on his ass, shit don't get me started on that.

“Is Clay…”

“Sorry babe Clay is gone already, hope you weren’t expecting to see him again. Really isn't his style.” He turns around and damn the front looks as good as the back. He has dark hair buzzed short on the sides and a little longer on the top. Just the right amount of facial hair. Maybe a couple days growth neatly trimmed. Sexy. Green eyes and soft kissable lips. This guy is probably hands down the hottest guy I have seen in the flesh.

“Nope, I'm good, just making sure I don't have to do the awkward morning after thing.”

“Lucky for you then. Coffee?” He gestures toward a coffee pot.

“Sure. Thank you.” He grabs me a cup and I sit down on a barstool facing him.

“Cream? Sugar?”

“No just black.” I wrap my hands around the warm mug that says I love Washington on it and take in the apartment. It looks like a typical bachelor pad pizza boxes, beer cans, dirty clothes everywhere. Yep men live here. Bringing the mug to my mouth I blow slightly then take the tiniest sip as to judge how hot it is. Then an even bigger one when it turns out to be just the right amount of hot.

“You sure are a screamer.”

I choke on my sip. “Excuse me?” I ask after a slight coughing fit.

“I’ve heard Clay’s girls coming before, none of them have been as loud as you.” He smirks. “Or as sexy.” He adds. “Thought he was killing you in there, almost went into check. How did he manage to snag you?” I'm speechless, who the hell is this guy? I abandon my coffee and get up to head out the door.

“Thanks for the coffee. I’ve gotta go. Nice meeting… you.”

“Lee.” He holds out his hand, I take it ignoring the tingles I get from touching him. When I take my hand back a little too quickly he smirks at me again.

“Linn.”

With that, I turn and rush out the door. Digging through my purse I find my phone and cringe at the missed calls and texts. I call Shana holding the phone from my ear at first knowing it’s going to be loud.

“Well, she is still alive! Thanks for calling by the way. Not! Jesus Linnie, you could have sent a text, smoke signal maybe. Shit send a raven or something we have been worried about you!” Just then Lee comes walking out of the door fresh shirt on now, a pair of jeans and a green ball cap. I turn my back to the man, must not look directly at him, I tell myself. Why has he gotten me so flustered? Guys don't do this to me.

“I'm sorry Shane I'm on my way home now just going to call a cab no worries.”

“Fine, but you are grounded. No more ditching us.” Then she hangs up. Yeah, I do believe she is mad at me. Oh well not like it hasn't happened before. It never lasts long, she loves me.

“You need a ride?” Lee asks for behind me.

“Um no I'm fine I will just call a cab,” I answer and start walking further down the sidewalk.

“You’re sure stubborn aren't you? Come on I will give you a ride.” I walk a few more steps and decide that a ride would be better than standing here on the corner like a freaking idiot.

“Fine, a ride would be nice thank you,” I say in a polite voice that really sounds like something Cristal would say. I turn around and walk in his direction when I get to him he holds his hand out in the direction of the parking lot. “This way.” He says and we walk the rest of the way to a yellow jeep that is probably the coolest thing I have ever seen. He actually opens the door for me to get in, smiling at me before making his way around to the driver’s side.

“Breakfast? I could use some waffles.” He asks while sliding his seat belt into place.

“I'm really not dressed for breakfast, but thank you for the offer.” This makes him laugh.

“Not dressed for breakfast. Haven't heard that one before.” We ride in silence after I tell him where to drop me off. The town is still fairly quiet, it being 6:30 on a Sunday morning I really don't expect to see too many people out. Our apartment complex really isn't too far from his and it takes no time to get to my place.

“Thanks for the ride,” I tell him hopping out of the jeep. I'm halfway to our building when he calls out my name. I turn around to find him right in front of me. Shit he is fast.

“Give me your number.” Not a question, a demand I really don't do alpha well.

“Bossy aren't we? Why do you want my number?” Obvious I know, I'm just being a shit.

“Call you. Maybe find out if I can get you to scream even louder.” Fuck.

“I… I… n…no.” And he has me stuttering. Walk away, must walk away I mentally tell myself turning to get away from him.

“Shit, I'm sorry.” He lightly grabs my arm to stop me. “I'm just fucking with you. Look I know I'm an ass. I don't normally ask out my roommate’s chicks. You're just… Can I take you out sometime?” He really is too damn pretty to say no to. So I give him my number.

“I’ll pick you up around noon today wear a swimming suit.”

“Today? You don't waste any time do you?”

“Not when I see something I like I don't. I’ll be back in a few be ready.” He says then takes off to his Jeep. What a weird morning.

“Well, there she is,” Shana says when I walk through the door. “So how was it? Did he rock your world?” she asks in a mocking voice.

“No complaints. I’ve had better, though. Got a date tonight so don't wait up.” I yell out and duck off to the bathroom to avoid their response. We don't have anything planned so really there shouldn't be a problem. Well, shouldn't be. I strip off my clothes and get into the shower scrubbing off the night before only to put it back on right after I get out. Maybe I don't cake on the mask too much today but it’s there none the less. Making my way back to my room I run into Cristal. “Date? With the guy you were with last night?” Here come the questions.

“Um no, not him, his roommate?” I say it as a question because really it is a little weird.

“Roommate? Seriously? Linn what the hell?” That’s Shana.

“Yes seriously. He asked me out and I said yes. No big deal.” I open my door and leave it open, this conversation isn't over I'm sure.

“What kind of guy asks out his roommate’s hook up? Eww, maybe he does it all the time.” Cristal this time.

“I don't know guys. He asked. I said yes no big deal. We are going swimming or something.” No big deal.

“Swimming?” Shana laughs.

“Yeah swimming.”

“You don't swim!” They both say at the same time.

“Well maybe I will today you never know.” I defend myself. I really am not much of a swimmer. It’s not that I'm scared of water it’s just not my favorite thing to do. Ever. But I do have a very sexy bikini. For sunbathing. So it really doesn't cover much. It’s black. Simple. I put it on throw on a pair of shorts and a loose hot pink tank top. I grab a hair tie and put it around my wrist then start French braiding my hair so it drapes over my shoulder. Tying it off at the end

“I can’t believe you are bailing on us again. It’s dirty Sunday and you have already broken so many rules it’s not even funny. And it is the first one here. We need to christen the apartment, together!” Cristal says bringing up our Sunday ritual. Every Sunday, after a Saturday night out, we laze around together nursing our hangovers. Bloodies, Grey's reruns, and number one rule no showering. If you shower you are not allowed to participate. Hence the name ‘Dirty Sunday’.

“I went and bought clamato and vodka. And I have pickles.” She says the last in a sing-song voice. I do love pickles in my bloodies.

“Nope she showered. She gets none. Rule number one. Guess we get to swoon over Mc Steamy by ourselves today Cris.” Shana says and heads to the kitchen. “Have fun swimming.”

“You look good,” Lee says kissing my cheek then opening the door to his Jeep helping me inside. How chivalrous.

“So where are you taking me?” I ask when he gets in.

“You'll see.” He says with a wink. We take off out of town and hit I90 for a few miles the turn off onto another highway. I haven't been out of town this way before.

“So tell me about yourself.” Tell him about myself. What the hell could I tell this man that wouldn't have him running for the hills? I'm not much of a dater, my longest relationship was a month. Not that it would qualify as ‘dating’ Dylan and I hooked up on and off for that month. I was 19 and he was 21. Everything was going great until feelings started to get involved. That was my cue to leave. I don't do feeling and I don't do back story. His or mine. But Lee? He makes me feel different like maybe things could be… never mind let's just keep it short and sweet no one will get hurt. We can have a little fun then go our separate ways. That’s all men really want isn't it? The short version of the life of Linn he gets.

“Well, I grew up in a small town with the two best friends anyone could ask for. Shane and Cris, they are both older than me by a year. We’ve been friends since forever it seems.”

“And how old are you?” Lee asks looking at me with a raised brow. Why do people have to do that?

“I'm 20. You?” He clears his throat, seeming uncomfortable. “You look a little older than 20. Thought you were maybe 22.” This makes me laugh I am probably the most immature person my age. You know that saying girls mature faster than boys? Yeah doesn't apply to me.

“Do I seem 22? Wait how old are you?” I barely hear him answer under his breath. “29? Seriously? Dang, I snagged myself an old man.” I'm rolling with laughter now.

“What the hell is so funny? And I'm not an old man.”

“Sorry. You are just making it sound like this is some sort of scandal. I’ve been with older men, believe me, all of you are the same regardless of your age.” Maybe a little too much info.

“Ouch. How old?” Shit.

“Okay share time is over,” I say trying to get out of this conversation. This is why I try to stay away from the conversations, I tend to over share. No filter.

“Fine, I’ll let it go.” He concedes. Then gives me a sideways glance. “For now.” For now… how about forever?

“What is it that you do?” I ask him if he is going to pry so will I.

“Well, I am currently working at a small claims firm downtown. Nothing too big, a guy I went to college with had a spot open at just the right time.” Lawyer aw crap, a guy Rita would approve of. Maybe I should give him to Shana. The thought instantly bothers me, okay keeping him to myself.

“Cool.” I hear a song on the radio I like and reach over to turn it up real loud. I do believe I just put an end to all conversation.

After what seems like hours we finally end up at Flathead lake. I can never get over how beautiful it is here. I mean Montana is gorgeous but when you get to the mountains it just puts a whole new meaning to the word. I grew up on the flatter side of the state so seeing this part always takes my breath away.

“You ever been on a sailboat?” He asks grabbing a small cooler from the back of the jeep. Shit we are going out on a boat? Maybe I should have lead with ‘I really am not a fan of the water’ before agreeing to go on this… whatever it is.

“Nope. Never.” I smile trying to hide my hesitation.

“Good. I like knowing I'm the first… to take you out on a boat.” He smiles. Shaking my head I follow him down the dock and onto a small sailboat named Casanova. Go figure.