My hands tremble as I slide my thumb across the screen to receive the call. My heart is thumping so hard, he can probably hear it through the phone. This kind of high and excitement is new for me. Never even in bed with Bryce have I felt this raw need and anxiety. I’m a mess and the person responsible for it is on the other end of the line.
“Hey.” My voice is a breathy whisper.
“Sara.” His voice has the earlier huskiness to it but it’s breathy at the same time. The underlying sexy timbre resonates with my vocal chords.
“Nathan,” I reply. There are so many thoughts running in my mind. It’s a complete chaos and that’s also why I’m drawing a blank. I’ve no idea how to take it further.
“I don’t have much time. But I couldn’t stop myself from calling you.”
“To be honest, I was waiting for your call.” At least I have found my words.
He chuckles. The sound is so hearty and blissful, it snakes around my heart. I want to hear him laugh. If a mere chuckle of his can please me so much, his laughter will do wonders.
“When have you not been honest? You’ve always been blatantly frank. In fact, your harsh comments have evoked smart responses from me, but I never said them out loud. You see, I don’t want the others to realize just how much you affect me.”
I swallow hard, trying to grasp his every single word. He is overloading me with too much of raw and thought evoking remarks. What am I even supposed to say? Sorry? Thank you? Or ask him why and how I actually affect him?
“My first and foremost important task is to keep my cool,” He adds as an afterthought.
Keep his cool? Well, I can’t let this chance pass without taking a jab at him.
“Sorry, but if you’re already used to my honest comments, let me start by correcting you. You don’t always maintain your cool. I can give you credits for trying, but you fail most of the times and that’s exactly why I used to engage in such petty arguments with you.”
“Really, now?” he asks with a hint of laughter. “Why exactly did you stop those petty arguments?” His voice is deeper now like he’s actually trying to restrain himself. From what? Speaking something inappropriate? Highly possible but that’s exactly what I want to hear now.
“I realized you were way too thick headed to be worthy of my efforts.”
Now I’m the one pushing him. Will he play along with my whims and fancies? I’ll find out soon.
He cracks up again and this time his voice penetrates all the way to my marrows and sinks deep. The excitement and innocence of his laughter brings a wide smile on my face. This laughter isn’t that of a man’s. There is no constraint, no shackles restraining it and neither is the sound weighed down by the experiences of life. This laughter is of a kid who is perhaps laughing at a silly joke cracked by his friend. So carefree and light-hearted. I can get attuned to this sound.
“Sorry to be such a failure in your eyes, baby. Next time, I shall try harder.”
There is that word again. Baby. Why is he using it? And is there an innuendo even to this?
“What do you want, Nathan?” I ask in a hushed tone.
I need to know. I have to understand his motives. I can’t remain confused like this.
“What can I possibly offer you, baby? Just say it.”
“Answers,” I reply boldly.
“Shoot the questions.”
“Is it because of my book? Is that what got you so interested in me?”
There is a small pause. “Interested?” He scoffs. “An inappropriate word. An understatement actually. Intrigued seems more apt.”
“Really now? And what do you expect? You’ll spin out such lines and I’ll be smitten by you?”
Is that what he’s going for? Does he wish to gain my attention? He wants me to show interest in him? This is the best way of learning answers from him.
“Is that how you want to take things? You want it to be mutual attraction?”
“Attraction?” I question. “You’re attracted to me? I was going for a much simpler and safer words like interested. I’m truly honored now.”
I hear his labored breaths. Is he trying to withhold from speaking his mind? I don’t want him to hold himself back. I want to learn the thoughts swirling in his head. The raw, naked, honest thoughts. If he opens up, so will I. Nothing will hold be back this time. No second thoughts. No hesitation.
“Keep using that snarky mouth of yours and I will kiss the fuck out of you.”
My throat clogs up. Not even a single word comes out. It’s like time has actually come to a halt. My heart skips a beat as I try again and again to grasp his words.
But forget my mind- it’s still blank. It’s my body that’s thrumming with excitement. If the pulsating organ between my legs is any indication, then his words had an impact alright and they definitely hit their target.
“Have nothing to say?” He bickers. “That means you clearly don’t mind being kissed by me. Baby, all you have to do is ask and I’d happily oblige.”
Really? Well, I won’t be the one giving in so easily. I can play along. But is this even a game? I’ll push that thought to the back of my head for now.
“I actually believed using my snarky mouth would be enough to unleash the beast within you. If I have to request, then I might as well as go for the craigslist. Even paid services are better than requesting.”
“Baby, the beast is already unleashed. You just have to see it to believe it.”
This time my throat actually goes dry. The only comeback I can think of lies frozen on the tip of my tongue. I can’t possibly ask him to show. That’s just outrageously wrong when I clearly know what he’s going for.
“Did I cross my limits now? I tend to be doing that a lot around you.” He sighs and lets out a short laugh.
“Do you even have any limits?” I cross-question him.
“In this regard maybe no, but I can accommodate a few for you.”
What the hell is happening? No matter what I throw his way, he’s just not backing down.
Ryan Blake is off limits.
Brooke O’Brien is the author of the Heart’s Compass series. She recently released the second book of the Heart’s Compass series, Lost Before You.
Mike Simmons had it all—until his perfect wife turned his perfectly ordered life upside down by leaving him and their two children. Now Mike’s struggling with the chaos of juggling his career as a security consultant with being a divorced single dad. It’s no surprise he’s not entirely comfortable with the anatomically correct treats their new client, Getta Piece Bakery, offers. And he doesn’t mind letting the client know it.
Natasha's Book Nook 