Page 6 of Free Fall

Lo,hasmy tide turned?

Because from the looks of this guy’s rather spartan profile, he isfine. Wide hazel eyes. Brown hair cut in close curls around his face. Smoking body. He sent a lame opening line, but that’s common enough.

New in town?I respond.

My stomach twists with anticipation. Sex with strangers is always a little dangerous, but that just adds to the excitement. I hope he tops. No, Ireallyhope he tops. Because I’m dying to be plowed hard by someone who knows what they’re doing. It’s been too long.

I rub my cock through my jeans and stare at the screen, willing his response to be not-creepy or otherwise full of red flags.

“Please let me get laid today; please let me get laid today,” I whisper, relief flooding me at the entirely normal reply that flashes onto my screen. “Yes!”

Celli’s right. I am desperate for it. But it’s not a relationship I want right this minute. It’s dick.

CHAPTER TWO

Dan

Imight notbe into love, but I’m definitely into sex.

So, after I’ve washed off in Peggy Jo’s shower and driven my van back to the campground near Yosemite Valley where I’ve been parking the last few weeks, I climb into my very cozy bed wedged into the back and pull out my phone to peruse the local ass on offer.

There isn’t much. Mariposa County is pretty rural, and I quickly grow frustrated. Hooking up isn’t going to be as easy as it had been when I was staying closer to Vegas. Most of the guys on the app are okay, a few are even borderline hot, but too many of them also seem to be operating on the DL. One even has a photo of himself in a bathing suit, flanked by his wife and kids, their faces covered by emojis. Who does that? This guy apparently.

I almost resign myself to spending quality time with my hand and a porn site when I swipe to another profile that catches my attention. Young guy, but not too young—probably my age, so 25-ish—with long, black hair, skin the color of ocean-kissed sand, and a brilliant smile. Shirtless, yes, and looking sexy as hell with his finely honed, slim arms, and dark nipples. Most guys on these apps pose topless or otherwise show off their sex appeal, but most don’t smile in the photos they upload. Or if they do, not likethis.

This guy’s smile issopretty. The way his eyes curve up at the bottom, nearly eclipsing his dark irises, turns them into happy, upside-down half-moons. And then there are his teeth—so bright and shiny, and yet imperfect with a slight overlapbetween his front two. It’s…what word would my third foster mother, Edith, have used? Charming. His smile is charming.

And Iamcharmed.

Charmed enough to want to see him naked and bent over my bed, at least. Would he object to me grabbing hold of his hair as I plow into him?

I click to the messenger side of the app, hoping I’ll get to find out. If not tonight, then soon. He’s not online according to the notification at the top of the screen, but I send a tentative message to feel him out. I’m not in any big rush. I’ll be here all season.

Sup?

It’s my go-to opener. Non-committal. Common. I’ve gotten it from other guys on apps when they’re trying to pick me up, so I figure it’s a safe and inoffensive way to get a guy’s attention. I wait a few seconds to see if he’s got notifs turned on, but his status doesn’t change, so I put the phone aside and do some hang-boarding over the sliding door of the van.

I face outward, my feet lifted away from the ground as I work my arms. The night is pleasant, with woodsmoke in the air from neighboring campfires and the sky thickening with dusk. A breeze ruffles my hair, and I can hear the rustle of the aspen leaves and a squirrel scurrying nearby.

Ping.

I drop to my feet again, get back in the van, and collapse on my bed, phone in hand.

New in town?

I type out my response.Climber. Seasonal. How ’bout you?

I’ve been ‘just passing through’ for about a year and a half, so I guess I live here now.

Cool.

I don’t really want to chat or get to know him. I’m more interested in seeing that smile in person and then getting naked,but I don’t want to be rude or run him off. This is always the hardest part for me. Luckily, he takes the next step.

You have a place to hook up?

I let out a long breath.Yup. It’s not much. Just my van. But it has a bed.

A bed’s good but not necessary