Worth the Wait (Sexy Nerd Boys #1) Page 4

  “Ethan, I was hoping you were home,” The woman on the other side of the door says before I even have it all of the way open.

  Carolyn, my upstairs neighbor stands in my doorway with a seductive gleam in her eyes. It’s not a coincidence that she showed up here only a few minutes after I walked through the door. I take her in, she’s wearing a short jean skirt that is showing off a generous amount of toned, tan legs. Her large, fake tits are just about falling out of her tank top. Jesus, did she buy that shirt in the kids section? And, her blonde hair is tumbling expertly over her shoulders like she spent hours getting ready.

  For some reason I can’t help comparing her carefully put together appearance to Abby’s more laid back style. And, the comparison doesn’t come out well for Carolyn. I mean, I’m sure Taco Bell is fine if you’ve never heard of real Mexican food.

  “Hey,” I greet her vaguely.

  She stares at me expectantly. Normally I would invite her in but I know what she’s looking for and for some reason I’m not in the mood.

  “Can I come in?” She pushes past me before I can even respond.

  I close the door in defeat and turn to find her settled in on my couch. She pats the seat next to her. I hesitate but finally go to sit next to her.

  As soon as I sit down she straddles my lap and begins kissing my neck. I have a rule about kissing, on the mouth anyways. It seems to intimate to me somehow. It’s not like I’ve never kissed a woman on the lips. But, it seems like when you do they think you’re serious about them. Hence the implementation of the rule. I’m not going to lie, she feels fucking good in my lap, grinding against my cock. But, for some insane fucking reason all I can think about is Red.

  I hear my phone buzz and I jump to grab it.

  “Jeez Ethan, what’s the deal?” Carolyn gripes at me as I practically shove her off of my lap to check my phone.

  I can’t help but smile as I see ‘Red’ flash across my text notifications.

  Red: death, dismemberment, imminent death or dismemberment

  I actually laugh out loud.

  Ethan: What if I have knowledge of an impending zombie apocalypse?

  “Ethan, what the fuck?” Carolyn stands over me.

  I look up to see anger and confusion in her gaze. I’m not usually distracted like this. Hell I’m usually the one who would have all of her clothes off by now.

  “Sorry, I’m a bit distracted,” It’s not really a lie, but I don’t elaborate. Why should I? She’s just a fuck buddy. In fact, ‘buddy’ is too strong of a word even. Shit, I don’t know a damn thing about her other than her name and her favorite sex position.

  Maybe I’m just bored with Carolyn, we’ve had sex a whole bunch of times, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I was simply sick of her. “Rain check?”

  “Whatever,” She rolls her eyes and storms out of my apartment, slamming the door behind her.

  Red: I think that a zombie apocalypse would fall under ‘imminent death or dismemberment’. The question is how would you have foreknowledge about this?

  Ethan: I work for a secret government agency where we’re testing an unknown virus on innocent apes.

  Red: That’s not a zombie virus that’s Planet of the Apes

  Ethan: My mistake, no need to panic then about the zombies. But if anything changes I’ll be sure to let you know.

  Red: How kind of you

  I smile as I set my phone down. God, what is it about that girl. I close my eyes and think about her fantastic body. The hard on that wasn’t present when Carolyn was grinding on me is there with a vengeance now. I can’t help but think about Abby’s full, sexy lips and what they must taste like.

  I unzip my pants and think about her perfect, round ass as I stroke myself. What I wouldn’t give to touch her. I imagine what it would taste like to bury my head between her legs until she’s screaming and writhing, experiencing her first orgasm thanks to my tongue. Pleasure shoots through me at this thought and I come thinking about her.

  I don't have a good excuse as to why I sent my more than willing neighbor away just to go one on one with myself.

  Chapter 6

  Abby

  It’s noon and I still haven’t gotten dressed yet. I feel like a bit of a bum, but I figure I’d better enjoy my free time now before the semester starts in a few days. Then I’ll be up to my eyeballs in studying. I mindlessly page through Netflix finding nothing of particular interest. The door barges open and Ethan strolls in like he owns the place, yet again.

  “Have you ever heard of knocking?” I ask sarcastically.

  “Sure, but I have a feeling you wouldn’t have let me in,” He replies with a sideways smirk. My stomach flutters a little. Stupid stomach, he’s just a hot guy. Nothing special.

  “And, that my friend is the whole point of knocking. Then I get to choose who enters my apartment.”

  “Where’s the fun in that, Red?”

  I glare at him for calling me ‘Red’ again and return to my mindless scrolling. He plops down on the couch next to me, close enough that our shoulders touch. There’s plenty of space on the couch for us not to touch. It’s like it’s his goal in life to irritate me. How can someone I barely know be so good at pushing my buttons? He grins over at me like he’s inviting me to bitch at him for crowding me. I almost think he enjoys when I get snippy with him.

  I roll my eyes and shove his shoulder lightly.

  “What? You want me to move?” He asks with mock innocence.

  I shove his shoulder again. I try to hide my smile. Are we flirting right now? God I’m pathetic. He leans close so that his warm breath tickles my neck. Goose bumps erupt all over me. And, surprisingly, the usual feeling of panic or disgust that I usually associate with a man being close is conspicuously absent.

  “If you want me to move, you should ask politely,” He whispers playfully into my ear.

  “Move your fucking ass...please,” I say in a sweet voice. He laughs and finally scoots over a few inches.

  “So, is Lee around?” He asks.

  “I think she’s asleep. Nikki was over until about 4am.”

  Ethan waggles his eyebrows at me and I grin and nod. I like that we’re both rooting for the two of them.

  “Damn, I was going to invite her to this new indoor rock climbing place that just opened. I guess I’ll have to go alone now,” He sighs. Then he shoots me that damn puppy dog look. “Although, they say it’s really dangerous to go without a partner. I mean, I could fall and break my neck.”

  “Well that certainly would be a shame,” I say with mock concern. “Or, you could go another day.”

  “But, with school about to start I don’t think I’ll have much time. Between working on my masters and my job at the bookstore, plus my TA duties…”

  “And, your active social life,” I add dryly.

  “Exactly. So as you can see, today is probably one of the few chances I’ll get. It’s too bad you’re so busy flipping mindlessly through Netflix and still in your pajamas.” His gaze travels over my attire now.

  Suddenly I’m acutely aware of what I’m wearing. A thin tank top, yoga pants, and no bra or underwear. I flush under his slow perusal of my body. My nipples perk up and he makes a noise of appreciation in the back of his throat. A spark of electricity flows between us for a moment before I suddenly jump off the couch and barrel towards my bedroom to put clothes on.

  I shut my bedroom door behind me and take several deep breaths. My heart is pounding and my damn nipples are like a neon sign of arousal. Why does Ethan have to be so damn hot? It’s like that man oozes pheromones and sex appeal. It’s not even fair. No wonder he has no trouble getting so many women to drop their panties for him. Even my screwed up brain is throwing caution to the wind and telling my body to go for it.

  A twinge of jealousy twists in my stomach as I think about the fact that he’s probably been with so many beautiful women. Even if I wanted to compete I’m sure I couldn’t. Who would want me with my nasty scared legs and haunted pas
t? Now I’m just being stupid. This whole thing is moronic. The last thing I need is to have a crush on Ethan.

  So what if he’s sexy and easy to talk to? Who cares if he was nice to me when I was drunk and puking, and he loves Doctor Who as much as I do? I certainly don’t care. It would be stupid to care. I am not stupid. And, I don’t need him or anyone. I’ve seen well enough where this road leads and I don’t want any part of it.

  I take one more deep breath as my pep talk takes effect, then I get dressed.

  Ethan

  Well that image of Red in that thin tank top will certainly be stored safely in my spank bank. I’ll keep it right next to the knowledge that she’s never had an orgasm and her pussy is more difficult to get into than the pentagon.

  I’m only slightly disappointed when she returns to the living room. She, unfortunately, is now wearing a bra. However, she still looks unbelievably sexy in a low-cut green tee-shirt and jeans that do her ass all kinds of favors. Not that her perfect ass needs any favors.

  “Does this mean you’re going to come with me? Or would you rather just go rock climbing?” I waggle my eyebrows suggestively at her.

  “You’re a pervert,” She informs me.

  “Guilty as charged,” I agree with a laugh.

  She slips her shoes on and ushers me out the door.

  As it turns out Red is not athletic and for her own safety shouldn’t be anywhere near a rock climbing wall.

  “I suck,” She says with a laugh.

  We head back to my car after forty-five minutes of Red falling off the wall, failing to keep me from falling, and bumping into other people trying to spot their own partners.

  “Yeah, you do,” I agree with a chuckle.

  She smacks my arm playfully. I can’t help but smile. This is actually the first time I’ve ever spent time with a woman, other than Lee, outside of the bedroom. That thought gives me pause. In spite of the fact that Red was a walking disaster in there, I’m actually having a good time.

  “I’m starving.” She says once we’re in the car.

  Does she want me to take her somewhere to eat? Would that make this like a date? Does she suddenly want this to be a date? Damn, this is complicated. This is why I don’t hang out with women. I hate blurred lines. I don’t want them to get the idea that I want a relationship. Red said the other night though, friends only. Then again, don’t all women say that? Isn’t that like a relationship trap? Okay, I have to be over thinking this now. We’re friends hanging out. If I was hanging out with a male friend who said he was hungry I’d suggest we grab a bite to eat.

  “What are you in the mood for?” I finally ask.

  “I’m easy,” She says with a shrug.

  “I was hoping you would say that,” I say with another suggestive eyebrow waggle.

  “Seriously, you are such a perv. Not everything is sexual,” She shoots a glare at me.

  “Says the chick who’s never had an orgasm. Maybe you’d feel differently if you experienced all of the joys sex has to offer.” My dick twitches as images of her naked body under me flash through my mind. Down boy, I tell myself.

  “And I suppose you’re the guy who’s going to show me everything I’ve been missing out on?” She scoffs.

  “Hey, just saying that the offer is on the table,” I wink at her.

  She rolls her eyes at me. I’m not sure why but it is exceedingly fun to annoy the shit of out her.

  “Don’t hold your breath.”

  I laugh and reach out to touch her leg. She tenses and recoils slightly. My stomach plummets and I pull my hand back. I’m dying to ask about what’s made her so uncomfortable with being touched. She’s an enigma for sure, because she’s a total cuddle whore but if the touch is unexpected she startles like a Chihuahua. Then again, maybe I don’t want to know why, I’m sure it’s not a happy story.

  “Sorry.”

  “You’re fine, it’s me. I’m...a mess,” She says sadly.

  “I don’t think you’re as much of a mess as you think you are,” I assure her.

  Chapter 7

  Abby

  Tomorrow night I’ll be able to sleep without smoking pot, I promise myself as usual. A light knock at my door nearly makes me jump out of my skin. Before I can have my stash safely stored away my door cracks open. When I see it’s Ethan I glare at him.

  “It’s polite to wait for a response after you knock before entering a woman’s bedroom,” I admonish him. My skin tingles as he shoots me a lopsided, not even mildly apologetic, smile.

  Suddenly I realize I’m alone with Ethan in my bedroom. I probably would’ve realized this more immediately if my brain wasn’t so foggy from the pot. My heart kicks into overdrive and my lungs constrict.

  “Has anyone ever told you that you have a real fetish for rules associated with knocking on a door?” He quips.

  I let out a forced laugh, doing my best to hide the fact that my hands are shaking so badly I actually drop my stash box as I try to shove it under my bed.

  “Besides if I had waited then you would have managed to hide your stash of pot before I could catch you and make you share with me.” He plops down on the bed next to me and waves at me to pull my box back up.

  My body tenses. He’s in my bed. I start to scramble away but his hand wraps around my bicep. I wrench it away and glare at him.

  “Don’t fucking touch me,” I hiss.

  Surprise and guilt fill his ice blue eyes and he puts his hands up in surrender.

  “I’m sorry Red. I only wanted to hang out and smoke pot with you. I’ll go.” He starts to get off the bed and the panic in my mind starts to clear.

  “Wait,” I take several deep breaths and pick my box up off of the floor where I’d dropped it.

  I promised myself that I wasn’t going to be that person anymore. I can’t let the fear control my life. He can’t hurt me. I won’t allow him to hurt me. I continue to breathe deeply until my heart rate finally returns to normal, and then I force a smile.

  “Getting high with a philosopher, this should be interesting.”

  I pass him a joint and my lighter. He stretches out on the bed next to me and suddenly my king size bed feels way too small. He eyes me wearily for several seconds like he’s waiting for me to flip out again.

  “Are you okay?” He asks after a few tokes.

  “Why wouldn’t I be?” I snip rolling a second small joint for myself.

  “It just looks like you’ve been crying and you kind of freaked when I sat down. If you want to talk I’m a great listener,” He offers.

  “I don’t want to talk about why I was crying. And, I just needed a minute to calm down, you startled me. We can talk about something else.” I offer.

  No point in pretending I wasn’t crying, I’m sure I’m a mess.

  “So, lay some philosophy on me.”

  He takes a few more tokes with a pensive look on his face.

  “I guess the major philosopher who really speaks to me is Jean Paul Sartre. He’s an existentialist with this philosophy that morality is subjective. The one thing you can do that is truly wrong is to do something in ‘bad faith’, which basically means doing something you don’t believe in just to please other people.”

  His words pierce my heart. If I’d only been true to myself and stayed away from Justin to begin with who knows what kind of person I could be today. I may not have to be so damaged.

  “I like that,” I say quietly.

  “So, why no boyfriend?” He asks smoothly. I can’t help but roll my eyes.

  “Because having a boyfriend is the pinnacle of life? If I’m single it’s definitely not by choice right?” I snap at him.

  “I didn’t say that Red.”

  “Stop calling me Red,” I gripe, taking another toke. “I’m single because my last relationship was bad, and ended badly. I needed time to get to know myself. Now that I know myself better, I don’t think I trust men and I certainly don’t need a man. I’m doing great on my own. I’m better than I ever was bef
ore.”

  “Do you want to talk about it?” He asks.

  I shake my head sharply. I already said more than I usually do.

  “No, why don’t you have a girlfriend?” I counter to get the spotlight off of myself.

  “I don’t do commitment,” He responds vaguely.

  “I know, Lee told me. I’m asking why.”

  “It just isn’t my thing.”

  “No, I guess that’s obvious.” I blow out a thick puff. “You’re more of a smooth talker. You’re a guy on a mission to get into every girls pants.” I accuse.

  “That’s true. Although, I’m not trying to get in your pants, I’m just trying to get into your stash... at the moment.”

  I nod.

  “Fair enough.”

  Getting into my stash I can handle.

  However…Would fun, casual sex really be the end of the world? A gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach tells me that it wouldn’t solve much. I probably wouldn’t be able to go through with it anyways. I sigh and fall back on my pillow.

  “I guess that’s your prerogative,” I say and then start laughing. Prerogative...funny word.

  “Everyone just needs to do what works for them and everyone else needs to mind their damn business,” He agrees.

  “Like how Lee should just admit that she likes girls?” I say with a laugh. Ethan laughs too.

  “Exactly. I am going to throw a party when she finally comes out of the closet.”

  “Why is she scared?” I ask.

  “Our parents are religious. Like, crazy religious. And, while Lee doesn’t believe the bullshit they fed her, I think she’s just worried that people in the world will treat her the way they did about it. Fuck them though, she needs to be happy. I don’t care who she dates as long as they treat her with respect and make her happy.”

  “I second that.”

  Ethan rolls towards me. There are several inches between us but my heart still speeds up.

  “So seriously though, why are you so afraid of commitment?” I ask stupidly.