Total pages in book: 209
Estimated words: 196085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 980(@200wpm)___ 784(@250wpm)___ 654(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 196085 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 980(@200wpm)___ 784(@250wpm)___ 654(@300wpm)
“Well, you know, with a girl like you, I wouldn’t want some other guy serving you a few drinks and…” Ron smiled, then took a sip from his glass.
“And, what? I can’t make my own decisions? Don’t tell me you agree with him?” The bitch tone in my voice quickly put Ron back into his place.
“No not at all.” He held up his hands in surrender. “I get it, you need to feel trusted. I would never make rules for you, you can take care of yourself. Come on, let’s sit.”
We sat out in the sun by the pool. By the time Ron was pouring me a third glass of wine, I was raging.
“And, he’s working on this IPO for his company. I know, I know, he’s built this company up and it’s his baby. But, God, aren’t I his baby too? I mean, he’s all crazy about the SEC and filing the forms and lawyers and shit. Like you can’t just take a break and take care of your girlfriend? If those people can’t wait, then fuck them! Right? Am I right?”
Ron nodded, letting my mouth run the show as he stared me up and down.
I shook my head and took another sip of wine, leaning back in my self-righteousness. My head was spinning, and my words were turning sloppy.
“Hey, come on. Let’s go for a swim.” Ron stood, tipping his head toward the pool house.
Wine does not good decisions make, and I gave Ron my sweetest smile. “You still have any of my suits here?”
“You know I do.” He grabbed my hand and I stumbled as he led me into the pool house.
“Go on inside, I saved all your stuff. Top drawer in the changing room.” He watched as I traced my hand along the wall, steadying myself.
“Okay.” I slurred as I had a flash of realization that I should call Adam, or a cab.
“I’ll meet you back here.” Ron took a step toward the cabana bathroom where his swim trunks were hanging on the wall.
I closed myself in the changing room, lightheaded as I dropped my skirt and slipped on the tiny green and white polka-dot string bikini. Once I got it on, I remembered how I always had to pull and tug at the tiny triangles of the top to keep my curves from falling out. But it’s just Ron, he knows where he stands.
He’s just here to listen. Nothing’s going to happen.
He was already in the pool by the time I emerged. I dipped my toe into the water as Ron watched and another lightning bolt of clarity told me I should leave. Even though nothing was going to happen I shouldn’t be here. I could have called Larissa, my mom, or anyone else.
Adam had another rule that I agreed to at the time. It was when we had a problem, we wouldn’t talk to anyone else about it until it was resolved. At the time it made perfect sense. We loved each other and we shouldn’t be going around gossiping and bad mouthing each other. It’s what everyone does, but if you think about it, it’s really mean. The one person you are supposed to love and support like no other and you’re out there spewing all their dirty little secrets to anyone that will listen.
“Come on.” Ron waved me over. “Get in, it’s warm. I’ll get us another drink. I’ll get the margarita machine going.”
Ron sloshed up the steps, giving my arm a little squeeze as he went by.
He was the opposite of Adam in so many ways. Adam was broad, thick, layered with hard muscle while Ron was tall but slim. Slight. Attractive, but more ‘hipster’ than ‘navy seal’.
“Ron, maybe I should…” I started, but he was already inside the house.
I couldn’t drive anyway. If anything, I should have a glass of water and call Larissa to come get me. But, the wine was still clouding my judgment and my feelings were hurt whether rightfully so or not.
So, I took the cool lime green glass from Ron when he came back and bolstered my rationalizations. I deserved to have fun with my friends, I certainly didn’t need a man telling me who I could and couldn’t drink with. Fuck that.
“Cheers.” Ron said ashe smiled adding a wink.
The clear outline of his semi-hard cock on the front of his blue and yellow plaid Oakley swim trunks turned my stomach sour.
“Cheers.” Ron sunk into the water next to me, taking a seat on the steps, draping his long, lean arm around the edge and scooting a bit closer. “So glad you stopped by.”
He started telling jokes, talking about all the fun we’d had here, how much everyone missed seeing me and how they were all secretly worried that Adam was too controlling and that was a big red flag.