Unraveled Page 4

“That’s bullshit.”

  “Well, I didn’t go to law school so it’s my own fault. I prefer being in the background anyway. I’m not a rock star like you.” Evie punched him in the arm.

  “Touché. I don’t write all the songs I sing but when I go out there I guess people probably think I did.”

  “Very similar circumstance.” Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. Evie took a twenty dollar bill from her wallet and opened the door to the short Asian guy who delivered to her house probably twice a week.

  “Hello, miss. I have your order here.” White boxes with red marks on the sides were lined up in a tray he held up in front of him.

  “Hi there. Come in, please.”

  The delivery man wiped his feet on the doormat before he walked in and placed the tray on the coffee table. The bill stuck up from between two of the food boxes. Evie plucked it out. It totaled a little less than fifteen dollars. She handed him the twenty dollars. “Keep the change and thank you.”

  “Thank you, miss. Have a nice night.”

  “You too.”

  The kitchen was done in dark wood that matched her dining table. That was one of the things she loved about the house. The dark wood cabinets and the granite countertops. She opted for white appliances that matched nicely. Evie liked her environment to be comfortable. The only thing she changed before moving in was to rip out the carpet and have wood floors installed.

  She put two plates out on the dining table and turned on the light above it. Deciphering the writing on the sides of the boxes was a challenge so Evie opened them up to figure out what was what.

  “Lyle,” she called out. “Food is ready.”

  Her breath hitched when he sauntered into the dining room. Jeans slung low on his hips, no shirt, barefoot. His long dark hair was pulled into a ponytail.

  Lyle flashed a smile. “Smells good.”

  “It’s the only place I order Thai food from. It’s made to order so it’s not sitting under heat lamps or in a buffet line all day.” Evie scooped food onto their plates. “What do you want to drink?”

  He shrugged and picked up his fork. “What’s on tap?”

  “I have Diet Coke, Lemon Perrier, water, soy milk. I also have Merlot, gin and whipped cream vodka.”

  “Whipped cream vodka? Really?”

  “Yes. It’s pretty good mixed with orange juice. It’s like a creamsicle with alcohol.”

  “I’ll pass on that.” Lyle laughed. “Merlot sounds good though.”

  Evie took two glasses out of the cabinet and grabbed the bottle of wine. She poured them each a glass and sat down. The food looked good but her appetite wasn’t cooperating. She usually ate alone and she didn’t like being watched. Not that Lyle was staring at her. He was busy winding noodles around his fork.

  “This is probably the best Thai food I’ve had in a long time. Thank you.” He took a drink of wine and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

  “You’re welcome,” she replied.

  Lyle’s easy smile and casualness was breaking down her defenses. He was like hanging out with an old friend. She smiled to herself and took a bite.

  ***

  “Find a movie or something. Not a porno either.”

  Lyle laughed. “You have Netflix?”

  “Yeah. Press the red button on the remote. Should open it up.”

  “What do you like? Scary? Drama? What?”

  “A good horror movie would be perfect.”

  He clicked on one. “I haven’t heard of any of these but this one looks decent. Rob Zombie directed it. Rob rocks the horror shit.”

  Evie fluffed up the pillows behind her and leaned back.

  Lyle selected the movie and settled in next to her on the bed. “Do you want to cuddle or something?”

  “Normally, I would find that a weird question. But, yes. I would like to cuddle.”

  He put his arm out and Evie put her head on his shoulder. Lyle switched off the lamp.

  “How’s your arm feeling?” she asked.

  “You know, it’s sore but not too bad. I think the time I fell on my bike and slid across the pavement was worse. Road rash is painful as hell.”

  “Oh, yeah. Definitely. I fell down roller skating once and skinned both of my knees. I couldn’t bend them for days without cracking the scabs open.”

  Lyle laughed. “I’ve done that too and you walk around like you have a stick up your ass for two weeks.”

  “Exactly.”

  The movie started out with a gory murder scene and a girl screaming at the top of her lungs. Evie cringed and tried to look away but couldn’t. She never could resist watching a train wreck.

  Lyle shifted his body and she ended up with her head on his chest. He smelled clean like cologne. Not too strong, woodsy and light. She liked his smell. It was inviting, comforting. Not overpowering like the guy in her office who smelled like he bathed in Polo. Evie tried to avoid being in closed spaces with that man for any period of time for fear of being suffocated.

  Lyle rubbed her arm lightly, giving her chills. Evie shivered and cuddled closer against him, rubbing her cheek against his bare chest.

  “You all right?” he asked.

  “Yes. You kind of tickled me. That’s all.”

  He did it again, his fingertips dancing lightly over her arm. With the goose bumps, her nipples also hardened and she felt tingly and warm.

  Evie looked up at him. He had nice lips and a little beard growth. Not her type at all but she was quickly getting turned on.

  Lyle lowered the volume a little on the television and kissed her on the mouth for the first time. His lips were soft and warm. He sucked her bottom lip gently. “I’ve been thinking about doing that all day.”

  “Why didn’t you?” She smiled.

  “I wasn’t sure you wanted me to.”

  “I wasn’t sure either, until just now.”

  He pulled her up until she was on her knees beside him. “You’re beautiful. Do you know that?”

  “I bet you say that to all the girls who invite you back to their houses.”

  “I’ll let you in on a secret, Evie. I get a lot of invitations but I rarely accept them.”

  “Is that so?”

  His hand settled on her hip and he squeezed. “I’m not quite the man whore you think I am and I did take a bullet for you. That should count for something.”

  “I don’t think I said thank you for that. No one has ever risked life or limb for me and I never said you were a man whore.”

  “You didn’t have to. I’m well aware of my reputation.”

  “I had no idea who you were until yesterday.”

  “You know, that’s part of what I like about you. You’re not a screaming fan looking to take a picture of me sleeping so you can tweet it or put it on Facebook and say you fucked me.”

  Hearing him say that made her feel sorry for him. How awful the limelight could be. No privacy. Never knowing who really liked him for who he was or if they were just groupies looking for bragging rights or were after the money.

  “That’s a crappy thing to do to someone. I would never do that to you.”

  Lyle nodded. “I know that. I don’t even care if you don’t like my music. You’re real. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the company of someone who enjoyed good conversation and didn’t try to rip my clothes off.” His thumb slid up and down the top of her thigh.

  Evie smiled. “I like your music. It makes me feel something. I just can’t imagine trying to rip someone’s clothes off or having anyone do that to me.”

  “You mean to tell me no one has ever completely unraveled you and laid you bare? Wanted you so bad that they maybe ripped your clothes a little in their haste?” Lyle’s lips brushed over her neck. “Maybe left a bruise on your thigh from gripping too hard or a mark on your breast from a hungry bite?”

  She thought for a second and shook her head. “No. I don’t inspire that kind of desire in men.” But Evie was more than ready to find out what t
hat felt like if he was willing to serve it up.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me. I can count a few times today that I would’ve liked to slam you against the wall and have my way with you. And during breakfast, I seriously thought about having you on your back on the table.”

  No one had ever talked to her that way and it ignited a fire in her belly, a fire she hadn’t felt in far too long. Evie’s last relationship had been over a year ago and it had ended badly. For the last year, she’d thrown herself into her work and turned down two blind dates while warding off a dumb attorney’s lukewarm advances. By all accounts Evie was like the frigid chick in the office. Aside from that derpy, short attorney in her office, nobody hit on her or asked her out. Maybe because of how she responded to him. She didn’t know and didn’t care at the moment.

  Lyle positioned her over him, encouraging her to straddle him.

  The heat of his body against her inner thighs allured and provoked her and she wanted to feel more of that warmth.

  Callused fingertips rubbed her cheek. “There’s a tiger just below the surface with you. I can feel it. You have the potential to be wild, don’t you?”

  A sigh escaped her. “I don’t think I do. But I’ve never...” She looked away. Sex had always been okay but not great. The best orgasms she ever had were the ones she gave herself. Could Evie let her guard down with him?

  Lyle started to lift her shirt up and she stopped him. Her last boyfriend had lifted her shirt one night and laughed at her. He had poked at the flesh that spilled over the top of her jeans. You’re getting fat, Evie. It hadn’t taken long for the relationship to fall apart after he started making fun of her. The last night they were together he dumped her and advised her that if she dropped a few pounds maybe he’d come back.

  “You okay? Are you still with me?” Lyle asked, his palm cupping the side of her face.

  She moved her head against his hand. “I don’t want to take my shirt off.”

  “Why? I mean, I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do. But is something wrong?”

  “I’m fat.”

  Lyle turned his head to the side slightly and his left eye narrowed. “Come again?”

  “I’m just telling you ahead of time not to expect a perfect body. My boobs are real and there’s a scar on my right side where I had an appendectomy when I was twelve. I don’t work out much and—”

  “Evie. Stop. Don’t do that to yourself.”

  “I just...I don’t want you to be disappointed. I’m not like the type of women you’re probably used to. All sculpted and perfect with fake boobs.”

  “You think you know my type? I don’t have a type. I like all kinds of women. You’re beautiful and I don’t care if your boobs are real or not or if you have scars or whatever. What the hell makes you think this way?”

  “My last boyfriend was—”

  “An asshole, it sounds like. Did he tell you that you’re fat? He actually said that to you?”

  “Yeah. And he didn’t like the scar. He said I should have it fixed and that a plastic surgeon could work wonders on me. He also said that I probably shouldn’t have children because I’d likely get stretch marks and gain more weight. I believe he said, ‘You’ll reach maximum density if you get pregnant.’ Then he laughed when he realized he was hurting my feelings and tried to make it out to be a joke. But I’m not stupid.”

  “That dude was fucked up. Seriously. And it sounds like he had some insecurity issues of his own. I’d also guess he hasn’t seen many real women naked. Real women don’t look like the fake ass Barbie types you see in porn or in skin mags.” Lyle stared at her. “Get up.”

  Evie swallowed hard and sat down beside him. That would probably be it. She was whining and she knew it was a turn off. She fully expected him to go sleep on the couch and leave her to wallow in her self pity.

  Instead, Lyle switched off the television and turned on the lamp beside the bed. “Let’s try something, okay?”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “Try what?”

  Lyle smirked and squeezed her thigh. “Let’s play a game. I’ll show you mine if you show me yours. Deal?” He sat up and pulled at the button of his jeans. He lowered the zipper and she tried not to stare at the thicker tuft of hair there and where it led to. Lyle wasn’t wearing underwear. He pulled his pants down a little and pointed to his right side. “See that? Appendectomy scar. Now show me yours.”

  Evie looked closer at his scar. It was just like hers, maybe a little bigger even but it was also right there next to his rock hard abs. She thought about it for a moment and then stood up beside the bed. The shorts she wore didn’t require much but to tug them down on the one side. She lifted her shirt and showed him the scar. Over the years it had faded to an inch long line with dots on either side from the sutures.

  Lyle sat up on the edge of the bed and pulled her between his legs. “It’s not that bad. I can barely see it. Nobody’s perfect. You know that, right?” He touched his lips to the scar and trailed his thumb over her stomach. His fingers were callused probably from playing guitar and she liked the roughness of them gliding across her smooth skin.

  Evie nodded. “I do. It’s just hard to accept that for myself.”

  “We all have scars, Evie. Inside and out. They don’t make us ugly. They make us interesting. They tell our stories. They’re part of who we are.”

  She laughed without mirth. “He said it was disgusting.”

  “Fuck him. Was he perfect?”

  “No. Not by a long shot.”

  “Are you disgusted by my scar?” Lyle lifted his arm and pointed to another scar above his wrist. “How about this one? Or how about the one I’m going to have after this heals?” he asked, leaning his head toward his bandaged arm.

  “No. I’m not disgusted.” To the contrary, Lyle’s scars were attractive, alluring. They gave him a rougher edge and an air of being dangerous.

  “Neither am I. I don’t care.” Lyle slipped his hands under her t-shirt and slid his palms over her ribs. “Will you take this off now so I can see you?”

  The instinct to run came over her because what if he changed his mind when he saw her naked? But he made her feel safe at the same time. Maybe he would be okay. Evie gripped the hem and lifted the t-shirt over her head. She covered her chest with her hands. Although she wore a bra, Evie still felt self conscious.

  Lyle put his hands on her hips and squeezed. “You’re gorgeous.” He kissed her belly. “I don’t know why you feel bad about yourself but if it’s because of that stupid bastard...” He shook his head. “He’s an idiot if he gave you up for those reasons.”

  Tears filled her eyes. “I misjudged you. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay. Happens a lot and I let it happen. It’s easier to let people think you’re a jerk than to let yourself be vulnerable, right?”

  “I suppose that’s right.”

  Lyle touched her cheek. “Don’t cry. I have a strict no crying policy when a woman is in bed with me.”

  Evie kissed his neck and ran her tongue over the words tattooed across his collarbones. She stopped and sucked on his nipples. She explored his body, touching the ripples of muscle and the light spattering of hair on his chest.

  He trailed a finger over the swell of her breasts at the top of her bra. “This, right here, is so sexy. I love the way your boobs look, spilling out just enough to tease and make me wonder how they’d feel in hands, in my mouth.” Lyle reached around and pulled at the clasp in the center of her back. “Can I take it off?”

  Evie nodded.

  Lyle released the garment and she let it slide down her arms. Her nipples were hard and she fought the urge to hide them.

  “Jesus Christ. You have fantastic tits, Evie.” He cupped them both and circled his thumbs around the hard tips. Lyle squeezed one, rolling her nipple between his thumb and finger.

  “Oh, God.” Her breaths quickened and her heart pounded.

  Just when she thought the pleasure couldn’t get any be
tter, Lyle put his lips on her other breast, biting softly then sucking.

  Evie gasped and held on to his head. The strength in her legs evaporated and she thought she might fall over. That last time someone had made her feel that good was…possibly never. Most men didn’t take their time like that and just wanted her on her back or on her knees.

  Switching to the other breast, he looked up at her. “I could do this all fucking day.” Then his mouth was on her again and a slow ache started between her legs. She pressed her thighs together to quell the want building there. Evie kissed the top of his head and inhaled his scent.

  “I want you so bad.” Lyle scooted back on the bed and lay down.

  “I want you too.” She positioned herself between his thighs. Evie was face to face with his cock. She circled her hand around him and slid it up and down his shaft.

  Lyle hissed and bent his knees a bit. “I can’t wait to feel your mouth on me.”

  Evie took the opportunity to tease. She came close and breathed on the tip, rubbing her thumb over the slit. A drop of fluid provided lubrication and she twisted her hand around the head. She dragged her tongue up the side and slid her hand down to the base and squeezed.

  Lyle moaned and squirmed. “Damn.”

  She kissed the tip and sucked him into her mouth. The sweet salty flavor of his pre-come spurred her on. Evie hadn’t particularly enjoyed doing this before but hearing the sounds he made and feeling his hands on her head, his fingers tangling in her hair, gave her confidence.

  “Move up to the side here. Take off your shorts. I want to play with your pussy while you’re sucking me.”

  Evie kept her mouth on him while she got on her knees next to his hip. She slipped her shorts and panties down and off her legs.

  Lyle was tall so his reach was easy. He had no trouble smacking her ass and exploring her pussy, rubbing the lips and sliding his finger over her groove.

  Evie bobbed her head and took him as deep as she could. She gagged about half way down and swallowed hard, her eyes watered.

  “Take it easy, baby.” Lyle touched her cheek and smiled.

  She took a deep breath and kissed his hip, stroking his dick. Seeing it up close, she realized how big he really was. Lyle was built to scale. She licked at his balls and he groaned.