15

I didn’t expect it to be, she replied, confirming my thoughts. Though I will admit, I didn’t see this coming.
Maybe that was the point, I drawled.
Well then, let’s go. She laughed, opening the car door. Though I have to admit, I don’t think I’ve been bowling in at least ten years.
Perfect, I thought.
Only my plan to help her bowl-you know, the classic stand behind her to help guide the ball trick-crumbled to pieces once we got going.
When we sat down at our lane to change shoes, I didn’t miss the shadow of a smirk that pulled at Lia’s lips when she saw some of the screens were broadcasting football.
I rolled my eyes. Not a word.
I didn’t say a thing, she replied, miming the zipping her lips action before typing our names in and setting up the first game.
Besides us and a family with young kids occupying a lane a few down from ours, it was relatively dead, so when I put in our order-a burger, medium fry, and milkshake for each of us-it was spread out across our table before we finished our first game.
Perfect for me to snack on as I sat, watching in shock while Lia’s skills began to greatly improve during the second round. Releasing the ball from her hand for her final shot, it rolled out towards the right before spinning back to the center and hitting the front pin, the rest of the pins falling in succession.
I think somebody lied about their skills considering that’s your third strike this round.
Lia grinned as she sauntered over happily and plopped herself in the plastic seat next to me. Maybe I’m just lucky. She plopped a fry in her mouth as my features shifted in disbelief. Or maybe bowling’s just a lot more about math and science than I remember.
Or, I trailed off as I scooted closer, my arm extending across the back of her seat, maybe I’ve just been bamboozled.
When she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, my eyes dropped to track the action, and unsurprisingly, I couldn’t help myself from leaning in to press my lips against hers. Lasting only a few moments, it was soft, yet hungry, her mouth moving eagerly beneath mine before I pulled back, not wanting to get carried away.
Because I could. Easily. Especially considering I already had to subtly readjust the front of my jeans as I set up another game.
Though now that I know you can play, I’ll be sure to bring my A game.
Mhm. Lia’s mouth quirked upward. You sure you don’t need my help ? I can give you some tips on how to get the rotation you want.
How about, I countered, we both give it our all, and the loser owes the winner a kiss ?
Sure, she agreed. Just be ready to pay up.
We’ll see.
Yet while I gave it my best effort, and the score had definitely been closer, she’d still come out on top. And of course, my one-track mind betrayed me as flashbacks of her on top in a different setting came rushing back.
Well, I guess it’s time I got you home, I said after watching Lia do a little happy dance, noticing we’d been here for nearly three hours. Or, if you want- I shoved my hands into my pockets, feeling my shoulders tense slightly. Wondering if what I was about to offer was too forward. -we could hang out at my place for a bit.
There was a prolonged pause as she straightened, composing herself while considering what I was saying. It killed me not knowing what was running through her head. If she was on the same page as me, which I hoped she was, or if she wanted this day to end with nothing more than a kiss.
Finally, just as I was about to take my words back, I saw her eyes cloud with thinly veiled yearning.
Your place sounds good.
Sundays were typically my day off.
A day to sleep in, run errands, catch up with my parents over the phone, and laze around my apartment watching television.
And apparently, a great day to make out with hot men. Or one man in particular.
Derrick.
Whereas we never got to play out my elevator fantasy back in San Francisco, there wasn’t a lick of hesitation once the doors closed this time around. My back hit the wall as his lips claimed mine-so eager, so sensuous, I was surprised my legs didn’t immediately turn to jelly. His tongue traced the seam of my lips, eliciting a moan from me, and when I opened for him, I fully sank into the kiss.
So much so that I forgot exactly where we were until Derrick pulled back and the doors slid open on the twentieth floor of Derrick’s high-rise.
Am I the only one who thought that went by way too fast ? I breathed.
A chuckle rumbled his chest. No, he mused, grabbing my hand to lead me down the hall. Though it’s certainly not over. More of a to-be-continued state.
There was no ignoring the warmth that rolled down my spine, or the quiver in the pit of my stomach surely caused by lust. All anticipation on my body’s part, remembering how good it’d been with him. How good it was going to be again.
And judging by the long strides he took and the ease with which he plucked his keys from his pocket and unlocked his apartment, I wasn’t the only one keen for this repeat.
Now, he said once the door closed behind us, voice low as he backed me up against it, where were we ?
I raised up on my tiptoes, slinging my arms loosely around his neck. I think- I stopped a hairsbreadth away from his lips, our breath mingling. -right about here.
My eyes fluttered shut when he leaned in, his mouth grazing mine softly. Though before we could go any further, we were interrupted by a loud bark and a soft thunder of footsteps.
Pulling back with amusement, I saw he’d clenched his eyes shut. I’m going to go ahead and assume that wasn’t you who just barked, I said teasingly.
No. No it wasn’t.
I held in a laugh, peeking around him to see a fully-grown Labrador bounding our way, paws skidding across the hardwood. Hey, buddy, I gushed, squatting to run a hand through his golden fur. Clearly happy to see us, his tail wagged and he panted happily. What’s your name ?