Worth the Wait (Sexy Nerd Boys #1) Read online

  “You’ve slowly gotten comfortable with me touching you. So hope is not lost,” He points out in an optimistic manner.

  “That’s because you haven’t tried to rape me,” I say in a forced joking tone. As soon as the words are out of my mouth I wish I could put them back in. There’s a palpable shift in the energy in the car.

  “What does that mean?” He asks carefully.

  “Nothing, just a joke in poor taste,” I lie and force a smile.

  I can feel his questioning gaze lingering on me. I hold my breath hoping he doesn’t press for more answers.

  We pass the ‘Welcome to Texas’ sign and thank baby Jesus Ethan is distracted from my awkward comment. He furrows his brow, no doubt trying to figure out what we would be doing in Texas. Then his eyes light up as he realizes what the surprise is.

  “Are we going to the Doctor Who convention?” He asks excitedly.

  I nod enthusiastically.

  “That’s so cool, I’ve always wanted to go to Who Con!” He’s like a kid on Christmas. Then his face falls. “I kind of wish I could’ve planned a costume though.”

  “Well, I did plan costumes for us, I hope that’s not weird.” I blush at the sudden realization that it might have been presumptuous to plan his costume.

  “As long as you didn’t pack me a skirt it’s fine,” He laughs.

  “Oh man, now I wish I’d packed you a skirt.” I suddenly picture Ethan’s large, masculine frame shoved into a skirt and I snort out a laugh.

  “So what are we dressing up as?”

  I blush again as I think about the fact that I planned us a couples costume without really thinking about the fact that it might send some sort of message, like I have a creepy crush on him or something.

  “Stop blushing and just tell me.”

  “I’m Amy Pond and you are Rory as the Last Centurion,” I admit.

  He’s quiet for a second and I chance a look over at him. He has a goofy smile playing on his lips that makes my stomach flip for some reason.

  “Sounds good,” He clears his throat and shifts uncomfortably in his seat. “What made you pick that?”

  “I just figured that with the red hair I’m sort of obligated to be Amy Pond. I thought it made sense to do costumes that kind of go together. And. the best way to be Rory is to be the Last Centurion. Rory the Roman is kind of a classic,” I explain awkwardly. Ugh, my stupidity is showing.

  “Not that I believe in love or anything, but I always thought when Rory waited for 2000 years for Amy just to protect her, that’s pretty much the definition of love.” He admits. My frozen heart melts a little at his words. Who would have thought that the pervy womanizer would have such a romantic side?

  “Maybe one day you’ll find a girl who’s worth the wait.” I feel his gaze on me when I say this. It lingers on my face for several moments before he clears his throat again.

  “Maybe,” He says vaguely.

  Ethan

  We stop at a Motel 6 for the night to get some sleep before the Con tomorrow.

  “Oh, crap,” Abby mutters as she steps into the room ahead of me. I crane my neck to see around her and immediately see what caused her pause. There’s only one bed.

  “I said two beds. Let’s go back down and get a different room.” She complains, turning to leave the room.

  I grab her arm to stop her. She tenses and inhales sharply at my grasp. I let her go immediately and can’t help but wonder about that ‘rape’ comment from earlier. A ball of lead forms in my stomach at the thought of someone hurting her.

  “It’s not a big deal. We’ve fallen asleep cuddling on the couch, what’s the difference?” I argue.

  She chews her bottom lip and looks between the bed and the door several times.

  “I promise not to try anything,” I assure her with a laugh. This seems to make her feel better.

  “Alright, but I swear if you try to grope me in my sleep or something I’m going to cut your balls off and feed them to you,” She threatens.

  “Has anyone ever told you that you have such a way with words?” I tease, tossing both of our bags onto the floor by the bed. She gives me the finger to show her appreciation of my sarcasm and then she perches on the edge of the bed and pulls off her shoes.

  “I’m hungry, you want to order a pizza?” She suggests.

  “Pizza works for me,” I agree.

  She pulls out her phone and places an order online and then reaches for her duffle bag and pulls out the box that she keeps under her bed at home.

  “Never leave home without my pot stash,” She says when she catches me watching her.

  “So is your costume for tomorrow over the top sexy like most girls like to wear when they dress up? Like Amy Pond if she were a stripper?” I ask, part of me hoping that it is so I can ogle her like a perv. There’s something wrong with me.

  “You wish,” She retorts.

  She has no idea how true that is.

  “You know, it wouldn’t kill you to show a little skin,” I tease as I tug on the leg of her pants playfully.

  She passes me the joint she just rolled and a lighter.

  “Trust me, no one wants to see that,” She says glumly.

  Is she crazy? Does she not see the way she turns heads everywhere she goes? Or how I practically drool all over her like a Neanderthal?

  “Do not tell me you’re one of those girls who’s all ‘oh my legs are so fat’,” I mock in a high falsetto.

  “No…” She takes the joint back from me forcefully to take a toke.

  I wait patiently for her to elaborate, but she doesn’t. That seems to be her go to defense mechanism when she doesn’t want to talk about something.

  “Good, because you’re fucking hot.”

  Oh shit, I probably shouldn’t have said that. I blame the drugs.

  “Hey, I told you before, no charm. That shit doesn’t work on me,” She warns, but I see a distinct smile playing at the corners of her lips.

  “I wasn’t trying to charm you, just stating an objective fact. And, the fact is you are every guys, and probably many girls, wet dream.”

  “Oh yeah, are you saying you’ve had dirty dreams about me?” She inquires.

  Her voice is free of her usual combative tone, in fact it almost sounds like she’s flirting with me. I take a deep toke and hold the smoke in my lungs until it starts to burn, using this time to decide how to respond. Does she really want to know that I’m developing a preoccupation with her on a much more than friendly level?

  She continues to stare at me waiting for an answer. I open my mouth to say...I’m actually not even sure what I’m going to say. And, I’m saved by the bell. Or the knock rather.

  “That was quick,” I comment as I hop off the bed to answer the door. The teenage delivery boy looks between Abby and I and gets a face full of smoke from the room and winks at me. I laugh and pull out $10 to tip him.

  I place the pizza box on the bed between us and we both dig in.

  Abby

  Lee: so should I be freaked out that you and my brother are away...alone together, for the weekend?

  I chuckle at Lee's text message. She must have just gotten home and found the note I left on the fridge simply saying ‘Ethan and I are going to Texas, see you Sunday night’.

  “What’s so funny?” Ethan asks through a mouthful of pizza.

  “Lee just got the note I left for her. She’s worried that we’re alone together. But I don’t know if she’s worried that I’m going to kill you or that you’re going to fuck me.”

  Abby: It’s all good, we’re just doing some nerdy shit you wouldn’t have been in to

  Lee: Alright, just remember...don’t be a fool wrap his tool

  Abby: Lol, ew. so not going there

  Lee: Ok, but if you do...don’t be silly, protect his willy

  Abby: seriously stop

  Lee: I’m done now, but seriously...it’ll be sweeter if he wraps his peter.

  I can’t stop laughing as Ethan takes my pho
ne out of my hand to read the text’s Lee sent me.

  “She is such a freak sometimes,” Ethan says with a fond smile and a shake of his head.

  “I think it must be genetic,” I tease.

  “You wound me.” Ethan covers his heart with mock hurt. He reaches for another slice of pizza and our hands touch. I tense involuntarily. He furrows his brow at the instinctive movement.

  “Sorry, it’s not you,” I assure him bashfully.

  “That’s good to know. You’re kind of a mystery to me the way you crave physical affection one minute and flinch at a small touch the next.”

  “I know, it’s just...I have baggage,” I say with a shrug.

  He waits for me to elaborate and when I don’t he lets out a frustrated huff.

  “You can trust me. You can talk to me.”

  “I don’t know what to say. My last boyfriend, he wasn’t so nice to me,” I try to play it off casually but Ethan’s eyes darken.

  “He hurt you?” His voice is tense.

  I shrug with feigned indifference.

  “Where is he now?”

  “Dead,” I answer simply.

  “I’m sorry,” Ethan’s words are clearly more reflex than genuine because he still has a scowl on his face.

  “I’m not,” I reply honestly. “Now can we drop this subject already?”

  “Sure,” Ethan nods and we both lapse into silence.

  Ethan

  Abby bounces excitedly on her heals. We’ve been waiting in line for the celebrity panel at Who Con for an hour already. But, we haven’t had much trouble keep ourselves entertained. And, the long wait hasn’t dampened her enthusiasm at all.

  “When we get in there I’m going to yell to David Tennant that I want to have his babies,” She informs me, a giddy smile playing at her pink lips.

  “Fuck, marry, kill: David Tennant, Me, and Donald Trump.”

  Abby furrows her brow as she contemplates the question.

  “Let’s see…I’m going to have to kill Donald Trump. That one’s a no brainer. The question is do I want David Tennant for one steamy night or the rest of my life?” She sighs with mock drama.

  I can’t help but laugh. She’s finally started loosening up around me. And, the more I see of her real personality, the more I like her.

  “I suppose that I would fuck you and marry David Tennant.”

  “I guess I can’t compete with the Scottish accent and amazing hair.”

  “You have some redeeming qualities. But, I mean, it’s David Freaking Tennant,” She sighs dreamily again and I scowl at her playfully. “My turn. Fuck, marry, kill: Me, Billie Piper, Judge Judy.”

  “That’s easy. Fuck Billie Piper, kill Judge Judy, marry you,” I fire off without much thought.

  Her mouth hangs open for a second.

  “Why marry me?”

  “I wouldn’t be able to listen to Billie Pipers Cockney accent for longer than it would take to fuck her,” I explain.

  Abby shoves me playfully and laughs. My chest constricts at the contact. It’s so easy to talk to her and have fun. It’s making me feel things I never expected to feel. Out of the corner of my eye I see a flash of red hair and I turn my head to see Catherine Tate in the distance.

  “Holy shit, it’s Donna!” I gasp excitedly.

  “Oh my god, could you be more of a fanboy?”

  “Thanks for doing this with me, Red. I’ve never had more fun in my life.”

  Abby

  As we pull into the driveway of our apartment complex my stomach hurts from laughing so much on the way home.

  “Hey,” Ethan grabs my arm as I go to exit the car. “That was a blast, I’m so glad we got to go to that together.”

  “Agreed, maybe we should make this an annual tradition.”

  The entire Con had been so much fun. We’d gotten dressed up of course, gone to all of the celebrity panels, stood in hours and hours of lines. Overall it was a success.

  “Don’t tell Lee but I think you might just be my new best friend,” I whisper conspiratorially.

  “Right back at ya, Red,” Ethan leans over and plants a kiss on my cheek before getting out of the car.

  Chapter 11

  Abby

  I blow the acrid smoke out and pass the joint to Ethan.

  “Tell me a secret,” I whisper through a fuzzy mind.

  My body feels like it’s buzzing. In this state I can barely lie to myself about my ache for him. I feel like if I don’t touch him I may suffocate. I’ve never felt this way before, but ever since we went away together last weekend something in me has changed. We’d slept in a bed together and he didn’t try anything. It’s become increasingly obvious that he wants to try something, but he’s leaving the ball in my court and that has slowly chipped away at my defenses. For the first time in so long I feel like I can trust this man not to hurt me.

  “A secret?” He says with a laugh before inhaling. “Okay, I have only kissed one woman.”

  I feel like I must be more high than I thought.

  “Stop, tell me something real,” I urge giving him a playful shove.

  “That is real, Red. I have a rule against kissing women who I fuck. I don’t want them to think it means anything to me. They don’t mean a damn thing.” He laughs this time without humor. “Saying it out loud I realize what a dick I am. No wonder you don’t want anything to do with me.”

  “You’re just a guy, you didn’t do anything horrible. You never hide the fact that you’re a womanizer, I’m sure they all knew what they were getting into.” I argue against his negative assessment of himself. “And, it’s not that I don’t want anything to do with you. I just don’t want you to have anything to do with me.”

  “I am way too high to figure out what you’re getting at,” He admits. I move closer to him until he lifts his arm up to invite me into his chest.

  I feel his strong muscles under my hands for a moment and the ache between my legs is in full force.

  “I’m no good Ethan,” I confess. I want him to tell me that I am good enough. If he thought I was good enough maybe I could start to believe it too. But, does it really count if he doesn’t know everything?

  “You’re pretty damn perfect from where I’m sitting.” The sincerity in his voice breaks me a little.

  “What if I wanted you to kiss me?” I ask in almost a whisper.

  I’m terrified to hear his answer. Either way his answer will change things. I mean, sure he loves to make sexual innuendos and jokes when we hang out. But, there’s never been any indication he actually wants me. He’s the kind of guy who wants every woman. I’m not special, he doesn’t see me as anything different than all of the other women.

  I wish I could take the question back suddenly. How presumptuous, why would he break a rule for me? I’m no one.

  “Do you want me to kiss you?” His voice is husky.

  I want to lie and say ‘no, just kidding’. But, instead I nod once. And then, without hesitation, his lips are on mine.

  His mouth is desperate against mine. I shudder as he runs his tongue along my lips hungrily. I throb for his touch. He rolls on top of me but holds his weight so that he’s not trapping me beneath him. He runs his hand along my stomach and up under my shirt. I’m not wearing a bra so he has easy access to my hard nipples. He nibbles and tugs at my bottom lip at the same time he caresses my nipple sharply.

  “Ethan,” I gasp his name and arch against him.

  “Ever since you told me you’ve never had an orgasm, I have been obsessed with being your first.”

  I hesitate, is that all this is about? Am I just some jerk-off fantasy that he needs to get out of his system?

  “That’s not the only thing though, Red. You are so much more than that,” He says sensing my sudden hesitation. “At first it was only because I was insanely attracted to you. But, the more I’ve gotten to know you the more I like everything about you.”

  “Shut up and kiss me,” I demand playfully.

  His lips return t
o mine instantaneously. His hands are back to their deft exploration. I part my thighs letting him settle against my throbbing core. I grind against his hard cock through our jeans. He growls and kisses me harder. His hand travels down to my pants and begins to work them off.

  I put a hand out to stop him. I’m afraid for him to see my legs. I haven’t let anyone see them.

  “It’s okay Red, I won't do anything you don’t want me to do,” He assures me.

  “It’s not that. It’s my legs.” I avoid his gaze with shame pounding through me.

  God, no one is ever going to want me, ever again. I always figured that it wouldn’t ever be a problem because I didn’t think I’d ever want someone to want me again. But, now Ethan’s unleashed these new, exciting feelings in me, and I’ll never be able to act on them. Life is so unfair.

  “It’s okay,” He promises me.

  I hold my breath for a second, trying to muster the courage to face his reaction to my scarred legs. Not to mention dealing with the fear of letting a man take my pants off and see me vulnerable. My chest constricts a little and my head starts to spin with all of the horrible images that I’d pushed down to the deepest part of my memories.

  “Red, I’ll stop if it's what you want,” He assures me. “But I need you to know I’d never hurt you. I’ll never do anything to you that you don’t want me to do.”

  I bite back the anxiety and take a deep breath to calm my racing heart.

  “Okay,” I nod.

  He kisses my stomach gently before he returns to slowly pulling my pants down my hips. He moves his mouth down to sear kisses in the wake of my pants. I’m too afraid of his reaction to enjoy his touch. My heart continues pounding and it’s difficult to breath. He’s going to be so disgusted. Finally, he looks down at my bare legs and I flinch awaiting his reaction. He traces some of the scars with a feather light touch of his fingers and a tears spring to my eyes.

  “Abby,” Before I know it we’re face to face again. He hovers over me and puts a finger under my chin to direct my gaze towards him. “You are beautiful, every damn inch of you.”