Page 38 of Something Reckless

EASTON

W hat kind of rabbit hole did I fall into?

That’s the question my mind keeps going back to all throughout the night. Because it’s absolutely bonkers that I’m on a date with Alba Anderson.

Granted, it’s not a real date. It’s just practice to get Alba ready to really enter the dating world.

I don’t want to face that reality, though. Because the ridiculous truth is, I’m coaching the woman I’m crazy about, to get her ready for another man. Who does that?

You know, maybe when I got injured a few months back, I actually hit my head during that game. Maybe, instead of this weird existence, I’m lying in some hospital somewhere in a deep, deep coma right now.Because my life has never been quite so strange.

Here I am, planning to do dirty, intimate things with the high school friend who is currently stuck raising my son with me.

I’m trying my best to be respectful and to not allow my growing feelings for Alba into the areas that I’m being pulled toward. But it’s not easy.

Because she’s just… perfect.

Beautiful, sweet, intelligent, selfless. Every time we’re together, I can’t help but notice how fucking perfect she is for me.

Our arrangement is just fun and games now that I’m helping her experiment with dating and all that. But what happens when it’s time to put an end to these shenanigans and face reality?

I honestly don’t know. I guess I’ll have to cross that bridge when I get there.

For now, I wordlessly follow Alba’s perfect, curvy ass up the steps to her front porch. My cock grows heavy as we inch toward her front door.

All evening, it’s taken considerable strength to be on my best behavior. Alba looks so goddamn good in that dress. While having dinner with her earlier, it took heroic amounts of strength to avoid doing something that would get me slapped.

Now that our date is over, I walk Alba to her front door like a gentleman. As soon as she unlocks it, she spins and holds up her doggy bag. Inside the bag are two plastic forks and a slice of chocolate cake that she ordered earlier but was too full to finish at the restaurant.

“Sit with me on the porch for dessert?” she suggests. It’s already late, but Alba is clearly in no rush to call it a night.

“Who am I to say no to an invitation from the prettiest girl in town?” I grin.

With a fierce little blush on her cheeks, Alba pops inside to grab her blanket from the couch.

Then we sit together, and even though it’s trickier for her in her dress, we manage.

She hands me my fork, and we share the rich, gourmet cake.

Sitting on the porch after dark seems to be our routine now. I like it .

I only take a few bites myself, encouraging her to enjoy the rest. Spending time with her these past few weeks, I get the sense that she never really treats herself. So, I’ve made it my side mission to spoil her as much as possible while I’m still in town.

Now that we’re sitting here, it grows quiet between us. The tension ratchets up, buzzing in the night air. My body is un-ignore-ably aware of her and my cock is already half-hard.

I just feel this magnetic pull to take things further with her. But so far, she hasn’t given me a signal that that’s what she wants tonight. I don’t want to be pushy and creep her out.

I clear my throat. “I should go,” I say as I stand.

Alba looks up at me with adorably crinkled eyebrows. “What? No. Tonight’s lesson isn’t over, is it? We haven’t even talked about the homework you gave me last time.” She pouts. She actually pouts. “My spicy wishlist, remember?”

My cock grows even heavier. Watching her lick and suck that plastic fork this whole time has got me all riled up. Talking about her sexual fantasies sure isn’t going to help the situation.

“We can talk about your homework some other time.” I send her a wink, hoping it comes across as playful and confident. I can’t let her see that I’m fully freaking out inside.

“Oh, okay.” There’s a flicker of disappointment in her eyes.

“Good night, Tiny Tiger.” I start backing away.

Alba rushes to her feet before I can take more than a step. “I…uh…Do you think I can get one of my wishes tonight? ”

Blood rushes down to there so fast I go dizzy. “Yes,” I answer without thinking.

“My first wish is…” Alba takes a deep breath. “…a goodnight kiss.”

She’s blinking up at me with those big green eyes, looking so goddamn beautiful. So goddamn innocent. I don’t even hesitate.

I close the distance between us, bending down to meet her tiny frame—one that’s over a foot shorter than mine—and I capture her lips with mine.

She tastes like chocolate. Only sweeter, more delicious, more forbidden. When I swipe my tongue into her mouth, she lets out this breathy moan that nearly pushes me over the edge.

Heroic. Acts. Of. Strength. Dammit.

I’m dying to keep kissing her, but I pull back, pressing my lips to her forehead for a beat. “Alba…” I groan.

She’s wet. I know it. I swear I can smell it. The scent of sex and desire mixed with her sweet perfume, hanging in the humid night air.

When I start to pull away, she grabs my hand, returning it to the curve of her hip. “I’m ready for more , Easton…”

“Sorry. I’ve got an early morning tomorrow,” I explain, leaning down to rest my forehead against hers.

She flinches, my rejection stinging her in a visceral way. I don’t want to hurt her, so I decide to tell her the truth.

“I need to leave before I push things farther than you’re ready for tonight.”

I may not know what I’m doing here, but I know I can’t push things too fast. I just need to get my own body on board with that plan, because it seems to think this is a race toward the finish line .

“I want things to progress at a pace you’ll be comfortable with.”

“I’m perfectly comfortable.” Alba’s voice trembles with desire. “Be honest with yourself, Easton. You’re the one who’s not ready.”

Fuck. That reality is like a sledgehammer to my gut.

Alba’s right. It’s me. It’s all me. I’m the one who’s scared shitless here.

When I don’t answer, she releases a sigh that echoes with disappointment. “Good night, Mr. Tower.”

I watch as she turns to enter the house. “Good night, Tiny Tiger.”

Tomorrow I have to drive to Sin Valley to see the team doctors and specialists about whether this ankle is healing at a pace they’re happy with. But tonight, I need to rub one out so my blue balls don’t get in the way.

I don’t turn back, as much as I want to. I walk away from Alba with a guilty conscience, an uncomfortable case of blue balls and an ugly truth echoing in my head.

I’m falling for a woman I shouldn’t be falling for. A woman who’s completely off-limits to me.