The Do-Over (9 page)

She shook her head. “I like your honesty. It makes me feel I can trust you.”

“Then my honest opinion is we should have sex.”

“What are the stipulations for this coitus contract?”

“I knew the lawyer in you would come out soon.” Kyle took her hand and kissed her fingertips before setting it down. It was a completely unexpected gesture. Damn…he was an excellent negotiator.

“My only rule is that you have to be patient with me.” She watched his shoulders relax, and he exhaled as if he’d been holding a long breath.

“I promise that you’ll set the pace. My only rules are that we have safe sex, you understand that I won’t spend the night, and that I have sex with other women. Oh, and the most important rule, the cardinal rule, the non-negotiable one…”

“What?”

“Don’t fall in love with me,” Kyle responded with complete seriousness. Lanie couldn’t help but giggle.

“God, you have an ego. You really think I’m so fickle that I’m going to fall out of love with Brad and in love with you. You’re drop-dead gorgeous. Even I can see that. You’re sexy, and I have fun with you. I’m glad you’re my friend, but I’m a total realist here. I don’t covet any sort of relationship with you.”

Lanie felt guilty about her outburst when Kyle’s shocked expression transformed into hurt. She never expected him to be upset by her comment. He looked away from her for a moment as if to compose himself. His voice was quiet, almost strained when he did speak. “I know you don’t think so, but sex changes girls. I’ve seen it over and over again.”

“I’m not like most girls, Kyle. I know what I want,” Lanie answered simply.

He nodded, giving her a weak smile. “That’s for sure. In fact, I’d say you’re not like any other girl I’ve ever met, and just so we’re clear, that’s a compliment.”

She wanted to make him feel comfortable again, so she decided to turn the conversation to a subject matter he’d appreciate. “How many girls have you slept with?”

“I don’t know…tons.”

“So more than two thousand?” Lanie asked seriously.

“What?”

“A ton is two thousand, so by saying tons, you would be literally saying at least four thousand.”

“I wasn’t being literal, smart-ass,” Kyle replied, stifling his laugh.

She started laughing too. “Shut up! You know the number. Tell me. I want to know your credentials, mister.”

“What the fuck? You want references?” Kyle asked with an impish smile.

She laughed again. “No, silly, I’m just curious. Over ten?”

Kyle leaned toward her. “Lanie, I slept with more than ten girls before I was sixteen.”

“Over a thousand?”

“Jesus, where are you coming up with these numbers? You realize I have a job and it doesn’t involve touring with a rock band.” She couldn’t help laughing. It was a hearty, gut-busting laugh, and he joined her.

“You have a beautiful laugh. How come I don’t hear it more?” he asked with a tenderness in his voice she found unnerving.

“And you always use protection?” Lanie asked, wanting to change the subject.

“I always use a condom and get tested regularly, at least once a month. Well, at least, now I do.”

“You didn’t before?”

“No, there were a few times I didn’t,” Kyle admitted.

“Because you were in a committed relationship?”

Kyle sighed. “Because I was overanxious, and it’s better without a condom. I’ve never been in a relationship.”

His answer didn’t surprise her. It was apparent Kyle had an aversion to commitment. “How old are you?”

“I feel like you’re cross-examining me.”

She was actually doing just that. She wanted information. If only she could be this self-assured in the courtroom. “Sorry. I just want all the facts before rendering my decision.”

“I’m twenty-nine. The same age as Brad.” It made sense since they were childhood friends, but in many ways, Kyle looked younger than Brad, especially when he smiled with that cocky, crooked grin.

“Why is it better without a condom?”

“It’s a necessary barrier, but just an additional layer. And as you know, I don’t like layers.” His smile faded as he looked toward the widow. “But I regret it. I got tested right after, and thank God, no one got pregnant, but I can tell you, the few times it happened, I sweated bullets until the results of both tests came in. I never want to go through that again.” He took her hand, caressing it slowly. “Are you worried about that? Because I can assure you I’m free of any diseases, and I won’t get you pregnant.”

“I believe you. I was just curious about the condom thing.”

“Any other questions, Counselor?”

“Is this a one-time thing or a recurring event?”

“It can be whatever we choose. An open-ended contract, if you wish, until one of us decides it’s enough.” He stared at her, and although his expression was intense, Lanie didn’t feel the need to look away. He smiled and his eyes seemed even brighter. “This is so weird. I’ve never really had such a frank, open discussion about sex.”

“It makes me feel more comfortable to have all the facts.”

“You can ask me anything you want. This is your choice, but I…I need you to understand that I want this…I want you very badly. I promise if you agree, my experience will only benefit you. My ultimate goal is to give you pleasure.”

“So we’ll be lovers?”

“I prefer friends with benefits, but it’s all semantics.”

“Kyle, I agree to all terms, but I have my own stipulation.”

“What’s that, Lanie?”

“Don’t talk about what we do with Brad, okay?”

“Because he’ll think less of you? Because you’re embarrassed to be with me?” He tensed as he asked the questions, surprising her.

“I doubt Brad thinks I’m a virgin. You were shocked too. In reality, I doubt Brad really thinks of me at all. To answer your other question, I wouldn’t be embarrassed at all. In fact, I couldn’t think of anyone better to deflower me. I don’t want you to mention it to Brad because I’ll probably be horrible at this, and I’d rather he not know that.”

“I don’t know what kind of relationship you think we have, but Brad and I don’t have those kinds of discussions.”

“Don’t you do that whole locker-room talk thing?”

“Maybe in high school, but we’re adults now. I don’t kiss and tell. Or do anything else and tell. I’ll be discreet, and it’s none of his business anyway. You do bring up an interesting point though.”

“What’s that?”

“I promise not to say a word, but you’ll have to tell Cassie I’m very good in bed.”

“What if you’re not? You want me to lie?” She knew they were stupid questions. She had no doubt Kyle Manchester knew how to satisfy a woman.

“Jesus, Lanie, you have a way of insulting me like no one else. I am very good at this.” His voice dropped. “And I’ll be very gentle with you. I won’t say a word to Brad, but Cassie will, and it will only help your case.”

“Why will Cassie?”

“Because that’s what girls do. They talk, they never stop talking, and they can’t keep secrets.”

“I don’t do that, Kyle.”

He smiled, placing a strand of loose hair behind her ear. “That’s because you’re not like any other girl, sweetheart.”

As they shared a banana split and made plans to initiate their contract, Lanie was less anxious and more excited about the prospect of being intimate with Kyle. Although, when she stood up, she had to stretch out her tense muscles. She started a mental list of all the things she needed to do to get ready. The anticipation was tangible, and she felt it in every nerve ending in her body.

Chapter Nine

On Thursday night, Kyle lay on Lanie’s bed, waiting as she got ready in her private bathroom. He had no idea what she was doing, since he could have easily taken off her clothes. Kyle decided to be patient and give her all the time she needed. When she finally walked out, he tried hard not to wince or laugh. She wore a hideously huge white chiffon nightgown with a myriad of layers and ruffles. It managed to successfully conceal every inch of her body.

“Lanie, is that you under all that?” he asked.

“You don’t like it? I thought it was sexy.”

“Uh, no…it’s not sexy, baby. You’re really playing up the whole virgin thing, aren’t you?”

She looked down at her nightgown, and Kyle prayed she wouldn’t start crying. When she looked up at him again, she was giggling like a schoolgirl.

“Yeah, it’s pretty ugly.”

“Did you think it would turn me on? You look like a fucking wedding cake.”

“I don’t know. Cassie said I should get it. I should have been suspicious.”

Fuck Cassie, Kyle thought, realizing she had purposely sabotaged Lanie. Cassie knew how to look sexy. Hell, she could teach a class on it. Why didn’t she help her sister?

“Come here,” Kyle said, helping Lanie onto the bed. The gown crinkled noisily with every movement.

Lanie lay next to him, and they both stared up at the ceiling.

Finally, Lanie said, “Are you expecting me to make the first move?”

Kyle laughed. “I’m just wondering how I’m going to navigate all those layers. Does that thing come with a map or anything?”

Lanie punched him in the arm. “I thought you could find your way around a woman’s body.”

“Oh, I can. Just give me a second.” He looked at Lanie and then started laughing again, noticing the lace collar that covered her entire neck. She was laughing too, so he didn’t feel so bad about it. Then the moans started, loud, pulsating grunts followed by a knocking sound like a headboard slamming against a wall.

“Shit,” Kyle said, wishing the sounds were emanating from this room. Obviously Brad and Cassie were enjoying an intense fuck session in the next room. Cassie started calling out Brad’s name. She said it louder and louder, and for a moment, Kyle almost thought she wanted Lanie to hear her.

“Do you listen to this every night?”

“Most nights,” she answered. The laughter had gone out of both of their voices.

“Why don’t they go to his house? Brad has a really nice apartment.”

“Cassie feels more comfortable here, I guess.”

Cassie preferred it here because Lanie could absorb all of that sound. She had to know Lanie had a crush on Brad, and the girl went out of her way to make her sister feel uncomfortable.

Kyle turned to Lanie, cocking his eyebrow. “Want to give them a run for their money?”

“Not really. I don’t feel very sexy right now, not that I ever did. But this gown is totally ridiculous, and I don’t want background vocals.”

Kyle understood exactly what she meant. He would be able to perform, but it would be more difficult, like a competition. Definitely not something he wanted to subject Lanie to, especially her first time. He had to be gentle with her, even though it wasn’t his usual technique.

He bent his elbow, propping his head on his hand, and stared down at her. “What do you want to do?”

“There is something, but I don’t know if it’s appropriate.” Kyle’s ears perked up. Was it possible Lanie was a little freaky?

“Don’t be nervous. You can tell me.”

She leaned over until they were nose to nose and whispered softly, “I want to watch the Bears game.” Kyle felt his erection grow as he broke out into a huge grin.

“Me too, but it’s Thursday night, sweetheart,” Kyle said.

“They play on Thursday night this week,” she replied sweetly.

“Why the hell didn’t you say so in the first place, woman?”

They turned on the television in Lanie’s bedroom, and she went to change. She came out in a green V-neck T-shirt and soft cotton shorts. He’s never seen her so…layer-less. Kyle couldn’t take his eyes off her legs. She had long, shapely legs. He wanted to feel them wrapped around his hips

I was wrong, he thought. Her legs are definitely her best feature.

To get comfortable, Kyle shed his jeans but kept his boxers and T-shirt. They sat on her bed and rooted for the Bears while they tried to drown out the noises in the other room, occasionally turning the volume up on the television. Kyle pulled her into his arms. He liked the feel of her against his chest, and she didn’t back away. There was something very comforting in watching the Bears with Lanie in his arms, like a little slice of heaven.

“What would you like me to wear, Kyle?” she asked, looking up at him with those intense golden eyes.

“Nothing.”

She smacked his chest gently. “Come on, I want to dress sexy even if I can’t
be
sexy. I know that getup was old-fashioned.”

“Lanie, that was old-fashioned in the 1800s.” He tilted her chin up and smiled down at her. “You are sexy, sweetheart. There’s no reason to cover yourself up.” As soon as he said it, he realized the words were true.

She was turning him on fiercely. He had no idea when they’d stopped watching the game and started kissing. It was sometime between the third quarter and the welcome quiet in the adjacent room. He ran his hands down the length of her body and caressed her breasts through the thin fabric of her T-shirt and thicker fabric of her bra, exploring their round fleshiness. He kissed her neck and then slid his tongue down the V of her shirt. He pressed soft, wet kisses around her chin and threaded his fingers through her silky hair. He wanted to be inside her, to feel her tightness around him, but he sensed she wasn’t ready. She needed to be coaxed. He pulled her T-shirt up and kissed her belly. It was flat and firm, and he ran his hands down her soft, velvety skin, dipping his tongue into her belly button.

He reached into her shorts, inside her underwear, and inserted his finger into her hot, wet pussy. She jolted from his touch. “Shh, you trust me, right, Lanie?” he whispered, punctuating each word with slow kisses along her abdomen.

She didn’t say anything but nodded, tightening her grip on the bedsheets. He slowly circled her and then thrust his finger into her. “This is what it will feel like but a hundred times more intense.”

She didn’t answer, but her moans told him she was enjoying it. He found himself mesmerized by her arousal. She made beautiful faces when she moaned. Her mouth moved in the most seductive ways, revealing perfectly white teeth. He shifted toward her without stopping the rhythm of his thrusts. He placed his mouth over hers and swallowed her moans, relishing every one. Then Kyle moved toward her ear, nibbling on it. “You’re so tight, baby. We’re going to have to get you ready,” he whispered.