He raises one eyebrow and smirks. “The other thing?”

I throw my hands up in exasperation, now knowing he’s just screwing with me. “Oh God, Riley! Are you really going to make me say it? The deal we made…to you know, have sex.”

He gives me that devastating smile that showcases his dimples. “Oh, the deal. No, I definitely haven’t changed my mind about that.”

I sink into my chair, trying to hide my discomfort. “Oh. Good.”

He grabs my hand and squeezes. “Baby, I promise to make it much better than good.”

I roll my eyes, pulling my hand away. “Gah! How many women have you said that to?” He manages to look a little embarrassed. “Don’t forget who you’re talking to, Rye. I’ve seen too many women fall victim to that panty-melting grin and your charming ways. That crap doesn’t work on me.” Not really, anyway.

His smile gets even bigger. “You think my smile melts panties, huh?”

I try to hide my grin but fail miserably. “You know what I mean. Just don’t try to dress this up into something it’s not. Okay? After we unload the car, you and I will have sex real quick, and then it’ll be back to the same ol’ same ol’. We can grab some burgers and beer afterwards. It’s no big deal. Really.”

He shakes his head. “Nuh uh. I didn’t agree to that. If we do this, Devyn, we do it on my terms.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means,” he replies as he pulls off the freeway leading us into the heart of Portland’s Pearl District, “that if we do this…no, scratch that. When we do this, I’m in charge. And ‘real quick’, ain’t gonna happen, sweetheart.”

“Domineering much? I didn’t say I wanted to explore S&M.”

His eyes glitter with…lust? No, that can’t be right. “I wasn’t talking about anything kinky.” He wiggles his eyebrows. “Well, nothing too kinky.  What I’m trying to say is that this will not be a wham, bam, thank you ma’am sort of thing. No way. If that’s what you want, I’m out.”

Wait…what? “Huh? I’m confused.”

He pulls into the parking garage beneath my new apartment building. Thankfully he’s been here once before when I signed the lease so I don’t have to direct him with my befuddled brain. Grabbing my hand again he says, “Devyn, I’m not going to be an asshole who just takes pleasure for himself. This is your first time. You said yourself you wanted it to feel good which is partly why you chose me. I’m going to make sure that happens. That’s not going to be possible unless you’re loosened up beforehand.”

“Okay…and how do we accomplish that?”

He pulls into a spot near the elevator and puts the car in park. “You just leave that to me, baby.”

Call the panty fire department…there’s that grin again!

RILEY

“YOU JUST LEAVE THAT to me, baby.” Okay, I know that was a cheesy line but if the blush staining her cheeks is any indication…I’d say I’m peaking her interest. But damn, does she really think so little of me that she actually believes I’d rid her of her pesky virginity and just walk away? The last time I was with a virgin was when I was a virgin, but the one thing I learned from that flop is that it is not comfortable when a woman loses hers. I was a sixteen-year-old punk back then who had no idea what he was doing. I still harbor guilt for not knowing beforehand that a woman needs to be well prepared for sex, especially if she’s never done it before.

I’m going to make damn sure I don’t repeat that mistake again. Devyn is going to be seduced. And not in a creepy, take advantage kind of way. I mean she’s going to be wined and dined, and when the time comes to remove our clothes, she will be worshipped. I will make her body feel so good by the time we’re done that she will never be able to have sex again without comparing it to our time together. Okay, so technically I’ll be walking away afterwards since I’m moving to Boston next week, but it’s not like we won’t talk or visit each other as often as possible. She’ll continue being my best friend only she’ll know what I looked like naked once upon a time. See? Totally different.

“Seriously, how do we accomplish that?” she insists. “I’m a planner; you know this. My brain doesn’t like spontaneity.”

I laugh. She really is a Type A personality but it’s adorable as hell. “Well, too bad. I made the plans for this weekend, and your brain is just going to have to handle going with the flow.”

“You made plans?”

I narrow my eyes at her. “Well, you don’t have to sound so shocked.”

She starts wringing her hands again. “Quite frankly, I am.”

“Why?”

“Well, you’re the one doing me a favor here. Why would you need to plan anything extra?”

I roll my eyes. “Having sex with you won’t exactly be a hardship, Dev. Have you looked in a mirror lately?”

There goes the blush again. “You think I’m pretty?”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I scoff in disbelief. “You’re easily the hottest chick I know.”

“But…”

“But what?” I press.

“But, you normally date brunettes. Petite, perky brunettes.”

“So?”

“So? Well, I’m blonde for one. And gangly. And certainly nowhere near perky.”

Wow, how the hell did she ever develop this complex? Time to start the seduction and set the record straight. Grabbing her hand, I bring her index finger to my lips. “For one, who gives a fuck what color your hair is?” Kiss. “All I care about is that it’s long enough to wrap around my fist when I’m fucking you senseless. Two,” I grab the next finger and briefly pull the tip into my mouth. “You’re tall, not gangly.  I’m fairly certain every dude you’ve ever met has imagined those long legs wrapped around his hips… or better yet, hanging over his shoulders while he’s tasting you.” Loving the darkened blush on her cheeks I add, “I certainly know I have more than once.”

Oh, yes, she’s definitely getting warmed up now; the flush has spread across her collarbone. Not being strong enough to resist, I lean over and nip that sweet spot where her neck meets her shoulder and grin when I feel her shiver. Good to know she’s not as immune as she claims. “And three,” I’m kissing up her neck now… “Perky is annoying. Nobody is naturally perky all the time which means those girls that I date are fake. You’re real, Devyn. What you see is what you get and there is nothing sexier than a woman who’s not afraid to be herself.”

While I’m kissing her jawbone she pants, “Riley, what are you doing?”

I grin against her cheek. “I’m seducing you.”

She gasps. “Why?” She chuckles a little in an effort, I think, to conceal her obvious nervousness. “I’m a sure thing.”

I grab her face with both hands, forcing her to look at me. “Because you deserve to be seduced. And I’m talking full-scale seduction here. Never settle for anything less, Devyn. Before we do this, you have to promise me that. That you will never settle.”

Her eyes bulge slightly. “What did you just say?”

“Promise me that you’ll never settle, Devyn. Never sell yourself short and settle for someone out of comfort or obligation. Make sure that when you do settle down one day it’s with someone who knows your worth and makes you feel everything you’re supposed to feel with the person you spend the rest of your life with.”

“I promise,” she whispers.

RILEY

AFTER CARRYING SOME STUFF upstairs, I throw a backpack towards the floor by Devyn’s feet. “Pack anything you’ll need into the morning.”

“We’re not staying here?” she asks.

I look around her studio apartment. Her empty apartment with the exception of the few boxes we brought with us. “Dev, the furniture isn’t being delivered until tomorrow. Were you planning to sleep on the floor?”