A Wintertime Love Read online

  “I guess you’re right, man. It’s just that she’s Christina’s friend, and she really wanted you two to hook up, that’s all.”

  “I get it D, and I’ll admit it. She’s beautiful, and she’s definitely my type, but as far as us hooking up, you can forget it. We’re just friends. Besides, she’s leaving, and I don’t do long-distance. They never work out!” I was rubbing my hands together trying to get warm.

  “Well, if you like her then maybe you should give it a chance,” Dylan said as we pulled into our apartment complex.

  As I walked up those stairs freezing my ass off, she was all I could think about. I felt the blast of heat as we opened the door, but the thought remained. I took off my coat and placed it over one of the kitchen chairs, before heading straight for my room. My mood still sucked, but thoughts of A. J. were rectifying that.

  I slipped out of my clothes and lay in bed until I succumbed to a deep sleep. My dreams were filled with visions of the Broncos winning the Super Bowl.

  I was just getting to the good part in my dream when I heard a loud crash outside my door. I flew out of bed and opened my door to see what all of the clatter was about. It was a very drunk Christina returning home from the clubs, and Dylan was trying to get her to the bathroom before she blew chunks all over the hallway.

  I looked at the clock: 4 a.m. I walked back over toward the bed and picked my phone up off the nightstand to see if I had missed any calls. None.

  I sat at the edge of my bed and listened as Christina hurled in the bathroom. I felt bad for Dylan always having to take care of that girl when she drank. She was one of those girls who loved to party and drink, but couldn’t hold her liquor to save her life. Two shots and the girl was wasted beyond belief. It was fun to watch, though, because she was such a fun drunk. She’d do the craziest shit after she’d had a few, but the aftermath wasn’t so fun to watch.

  I realized Dylan had everything handled, so I went back to bed. I hoped I could go back to the same dream I’d been having before. Instead, I tossed and turned thinking about all the places I wanted to visit. I thought it would be cool if maybe A. J. wanted to accompany me. That was, if she wanted to spend that much time with me. I was already making plans for a girl I didn’t even know; did that make me any better than her asshole ex-boyfriend? Probably not.

  I really needed to focus on my shit and stop living in la la land. I was acting like a complete girl, and that just wasn’t me. This chick was seriously messing with my head, and I didn’t even know her yet.

  “Screw this,” I said, flinging my bedroom door open and heading to the kitchen for a glass of water. As I rounded the corner, I saw a silhouette leaning against the sink. “What the . . . ?” It was A. J. She spun around and stared at me, dressed in a long t-shirt that barely covered her thighs.

  “You alright?” I asked.

  “Ugh . . . no. I’m not feeling so well.”

  “Had a little too much to drink, did you?” Stating the obvious, I reached for the ibuprofen.

  “Yeah. I think so. I won’t be doing that again anytime soon,” she said as she leaned her head in the kitchen sink. “Tristan, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you. I would have used the bathroom, but Dylan has Christina in there. I was fine when we got here, but now . . . well . . . as you can see, I’m not doing so well!”

  “Don’t worry about it, A. J. It happens to the best of us. How did you ladies get home, anyway? You never called.” I was feeling a little pissed off that she hadn’t called. Drinking and driving wasn’t cool, especially after losing a hockey brother at the beginning of the school year.

  “I didn’t want to bother you, and I didn’t feel right calling you to come pick up our drunk asses after just meeting you.”

  “I told you to call.” I said firmly. “I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t mean it.”

  “It’s okay. We took a cab here.”

  “Well, I’m pissed you didn’t call, but I’m glad you didn’t attempt to drive. I’m sure Dylan’s probably pissed, too.”

  “Yeah, he wasn’t too happy to see us when we stumbled in the front door, giggling and bumping into everything. Then Christina started blowing chunks everywhere, and he really got pissed!”

  “Yeah, don’t worry about him, he’ll get over it,” I handed her a glass of water and some ibuprofen.

  “Thanks, Tristan. You really are one of the sweetest guys I’ve ever met.”

  Great, I thought. Yeah, I’m real sweet. Maybe you should come to bed with me and find out how sweet I really am. “It’s not a big deal, A. J. Do you think you can lie down, or do you need to be near the sink still?”

  “I think I’ll be fine. I was just feeling queasy for a bit, but then you came along, and now I feel all better!” She smiled at me.

  I could still see her face as the light from the moon illuminated through the apartment. I was right; she is beautiful, like an angel sent from heaven.

  “You are more than welcome to sleep in my bed if you’d like.”

  She turned, pulling her shirt down a bit and suddenly trying to hide from me. “I really couldn’t impose. The couch will be fine.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous! You’re not imposing. I’m offering you my bed. I’ll sleep out here on the couch. Besides, a good night’s rest might keep you from being completely hung over in the morning.”

  “You’re sure you don’t mind?”

  “Of course.” I took her hand and walked her slowly down the hall to my room. I pulled the covers back and helped her into bed. Then I pulled the covers up over her and watched her snuggle with my down comforter. She really was one of the prettiest girls I had ever seen.

  I was walking toward the door when I heard her sweet voice. “Tristan?”

  “Yeah?” I turned, facing the bed.

  “Will you come and lie down with me? Please?” She reached her hand out to me.

  I hesitated.

  “Tristan. I asked you to come and lie down beside me, not screw me!”

  “Yeah, sure, okay,” I said, climbing in bed behind her.

  Well, now this is awkward, I thought. I’d never been in bed with a girl I wasn’t fucking. What was I supposed to do now? I wanted to touch her, but something told me that if I did, I’d regret it in the morning. Or should I say afternoon, since it was already morning.

  I struggled to fall asleep with her so close to me. I wanted to reach out and touch her and honestly, I don’t think she would have minded, considering she backed herself into me, causing me to cuddle her while she slept. Fuck! Cuddling! That was something I was definitely not accustomed to. Usually the girls I’d brought home left after we were done screwing. I’d never had any intentions of lying with a girl and cuddling with her, not ever! I’d just wanted sex: straight-up, raw, dirty, no-strings-attached sex.

  I lay there now, feeling the heat of her body against me as I slowly drifted off to sleep. When I woke it was nearly noon, and she was no longer there. How did she leave without me noticing and more importantly, why did I even give a shit?

  I threw the covers off my body, got up, and went to the bathroom to take my morning piss. I washed my hands, grabbed my toothbrush, and brushed my teeth, then walked back into my room. I wasn’t paying attention, and so I walked right into A. J., who was trying to get dressed.

  “Shit, I’m sorry!” I said, running my hand through my hair.

  “No, no, I’m sorry! I would have gotten dressed in the bathroom, but someone was in there, so I decided to come in here and get dressed where there was some privacy.” She was blushing red.

  I stood there, taking her in. I wasn’t really all that sorry I’d walked in on her dressing. I was only sorry that I’d nearly knocked her on her ass, bumping into her. She was even better looking, standing there in front of me in her bra and panties. Her tits were so beautifully round, just like her ass, and her tiny waist and thick thighs gave me the best morning wood I’d experienced in a long time.

  I knew it was making her uncomfortable, me st
anding there checking out the goods, but in that moment, I didn’t give a shit. I wanted her, and I wanted her to know it. I knew I was going to regret fucking the hell out of her, because she was different than the other girls, but it would be one hell of a ride and totally worth it. I made up my mind in that moment, and the old me finally reared his ugly head. A. J. Kane would be mine before the end of the week. I would see to that, regardless of what I had to do.

  I stepped closer to her and reached out, running my fingers down her arm. She shivered and dipped her head to the right. I watched as her body reacted to my touch, her breaths coming faster as her nipples hardened. I took another step closer, looking into her beautiful blue eyes, and whispered in her ear, “I’ll let you have some privacy while getting dressed, but if I ever see you like this again in my room, I won’t be such a gentleman about it!” I stepped back, turned, and walked out of the room, leaving her standing there to process everything that had just happened between us.

  I knew it was a dick move, but it had needed to be done. I was dead serious in what I’d said. It wasn’t a threat, it was a full-on promise, and she needed to know exactly what kind of guy she was dealing with.

  I sat on the couch, threw my feet on the coffee table, and turned on the TV. Dylan and Christina were nowhere in sight. I had a feeling those two assholes had ditched A. J. and me in an effort to play matchmakers. That was fine with me. I didn’t want their nosy asses poking around in my business, especially when it came to A. J.

  I heard my bedroom door open, and she appeared in the living room. I looked over at her, flashing my sexy smile. She looked less than amused. As a matter of fact, she looked downright pissed. I chuckled. Nothing like a woman pissed off to fuel the best sex of your life. Bring it on, baby, I said to myself, secretly laughing inside.

  She placed her hand on her hip. Uh oh, and we’re off! Then she opened her mouth and let me have it.

  “Look, Tristan. I don’t know who you think you are and where you think you can get off talking to me the way you just did, but I won’t put up with that shit from you!” She crossed her arms across her chest.

  “Well . . . to be quite honest, A. J., I really don’t give a shit if you like how I spoke to you or not. As a matter of fact, I think you liked it, just like you’re enjoying this little conversation we’re having right now!”

  “Why are you being such an asshole?” she asked.

  “I’m not being an asshole, sweetheart; this is how I am all the time. I see no reason to hide who I really am from you. What you see is what you get!”

  I stood and walked toward her. She didn’t move, just stood there with her arms crossed over her chest, as a slight smile curled the edges of her lips. It was almost as if she was challenging me, and it was hot as hell.

  I cupped her face with my hands and placed my lips on hers. Damn, they’re soft. I felt her loosen up as I continued to move my lips over hers, coaxing her to open up and take my tongue in her mouth. As I pushed her up against the wall, her hands fell to the side, her body giving into mine. Her lips relaxed and she welcomed my tongue in her mouth. She tasted minty and fresh from just brushing her teeth, and something strange happened in that moment when I was kissing her. I realized how much I liked her. She was the kind of girl that I could see myself dating for a long time.

  I pulled away, breaking the kiss before things got too out of hand. I wanted her so much, but I wanted much more than a one-night stand. I was also a little concerned of how I was feeling, especially after that kiss we’d just shared.

  She looked at me and smiled. “That was nice. Really nice!”

  I grabbed her and kissed her again, taking everything she was willing to give. When we finally broke the kiss, she gathered her coat and purse and left. I was left standing there, wondering if I’d ever hear from her again.

  It had been three days since I’d heard from A. J., and I was getting a little nervous. Normally, I didn’t give a rat’s ass if a girl ever called me again. A. J. was different though. She was smart, eager to learn, but most of all, she didn’t have a problem dishing my shit back at me. I respected the hell out of her for that. She also happened to be Christina’s best friend, and that meant I was expected to act like a gentleman and not the true asshole that I was. I went about my day as usual, refusing to give her anymore free rent in my head. If she wanted to hang out, she’d call. If not, well . . . I guess it wasn’t meant to be. I wasn’t in love with her, so it really didn’t matter either way. I had just hoped that she might like me as much as I liked her. I thought it might be fun getting to know each other and see where things would go from there.

  Four days later, my phone rang. I immediately let it go to voicemail. I didn’t want to answer and seem too eager or excited at the fact that she had called. And if I had answered, that’s exactly how it would have come across. Secretly, I had wanted to call her, but I had to play it cool. It wasn’t my thing to call a chick right away. Normally, I waited at least a week, because it helped to build anticipation for the next time we’d hook up.

  I picked up my cell and hit re-dial on my phone. She answered on the first ring.

  “Hello?” came her sweet, soft voice.

  “Hey, I saw that you called . . .” I was trying not to sound too eager.

  “Yeah. I was calling to see if you wanted to hang out or do something tonight.”

  “Can you hang on for just a sec?”

  “Sure.”

  I set the phone down on my bed, to make it appear that I was checking my calendar. I was trying really hard not to come across as a complete douchebag, but that was exactly how I was feeling. I picked the phone back up.

  “You still there?”

  “Yep. I’m still here.”

  “Good. It looks like I don’t have any plans this evening, so sure, it’d be great to hang out.” I was fist-pumping the air.

  “Cool. What do you want to do?”

  “Why don’t we grab dinner and figure it out from there. I’ll pick you up at six, okay?”

  “Six sounds great! I’ll text you my address. See you then.” She hung up.

  I sat and thought about what we could do after dinner, and then it hit me. I just had to make sure everything would be perfect, and I knew just who I needed to call for help: Dylan, Brody . . . and Christina.

  I spent the day finalizing the plans for my date until everything was set and ready to go. They had all been more than willing to help execute my plan; Christina had even shared with me that it was something A. J. had always dreamed of doing, but been too afraid to try. Perfect!

  I showered and dressed in a nice pair of black slacks and a blue long-sleeved button up shirt, then ran some gel through my hair. I packed a small bag with jeans, a t-shirt, and socks. I put on my coat and headed down the stairs to my truck. Once again it was freezing-ass cold, but it was just winter in Colorado, though nothing in comparison to the winters we had in Moscow. I let the truck warm up and programmed A. J.’s address into my GPS system.

  Feeling a little nervous, I chose my favorite song and pressed play. There was nothing like a little Nine Inch Nails to get you going. Not that it put me in a romantic mood, but the screeching of loud guitars put my mind at ease. I probably looked like a fool driving and air guitaring, but I didn’t care. If someone saw me and didn’t like it, that was their problem.

  I jammed out in my truck the entire way. It took me just under thirty minutes to get to her place; when she opened the door, I nearly devoured her on the spot. She looked downright adorable, standing there in a little black skirt, tights, boots, and a black and red sweater. I leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips, then helped her put on her little black pea coat. She grabbed her purse and the small bag Christina had told her to pack with jeans, a t-shirt, and socks. She had no idea where we were going after dinner. I opened the door and stood behind her as she locked the deadbolt.

  We weren’t far from the restaurant, but the roads were beginning to get a little icy. I figured now probably
wasn’t the time for me to show off my awesome sliding skills, so I took it slower than I normally would. I could tell that she was already nervous from watching the other cars on the road slide around. I promised her we would get there safely, no matter how long it took.

  Lucky for us, we arrived at dinner just in time for our reservation. I had decided to take her to a small restaurant just outside of Boulder, known for its shrimp bowl. It was decorated and crafted in fine mahogany wood and burgundy reds that lent a romantic feel to the dining area.

  As we approached the table, I took A. J.’s coat and pulled her chair out. I hung our coats on the nearby coat hooks and took a seat across from her. Our waitress came by and lit the one, lonely candle in the center of our table and then took our drink orders. We each ordered a glass of white wine. Next came the shrimp bowl, and then we placed our food orders. I ordered the grilled salmon and she ordered a steak.

  We sat talking and eating shrimp as we waited for our main course to arrive.

  “So, where are we going after this,” she asked.

  “It’s a surprise. You wouldn’t want me to ruin it for you, would you?” I smiled.

  “No, I guess not, but I thought maybe I could get it out of you,” she pouted, twirling her brown locks.

  “You don’t think I’m that easy now, do you?”

  She giggled, “Well . . . I was hoping, but I can see that you that you’re going to play hard to get.” She took another bite of shrimp.

  “You never know. If you play your cards right, you might convince me to be easy.” I cocked my head and smiled.

  The waitress came once again and placed our food on the table.

  “Oh, I almost forgot to tell you, I purchased my dress for Friday night,” she noted, as she cut into her steak.

  “What color is it?”

  “Royal Blue.”

  “Perfect,” I said, taking a bite of my salmon. “I’ll make sure I match.”

  “What time should I be ready on Friday?” she asked, taking another bite of her steak.

  “The charity ball starts at seven, so how about I pick you up around five? I have another surprise for you I think you’ll really like.”