Wait…what? I’m seriously fucked in the head. Must be the lack of sleep. I shake it off and reach for the soap. I need to find me a woman. And not the bitches hanging around here. Someone who hasn’t fucked half the state. Fuck. I must really be getting old if I’m thinking about getting a woman. Why is it that the option is only appealing if that woman is Raven? Fuck my life.

I hop out of the shower and realize that I haven’t even thought about how I can help her situation. Hell, I don’t even know what her situation is. I retrieve her number from Millie’s text and decide to call her. Then again, she might not talk to me. I store her number in my Samsung S5, my personal phone, and drop it on my bed while I get dressed. I put my boxers on, but the moment I stick one leg into my jeans, my bed calls to me. Fuck it. I’m going to get some fucking sleep. I kick it back off and climb into bed. I reach for my phone with the intention of texting her. What the hell do I say? I tap the side of the phone until I realize there’s only one thing I can do – apologize.

G: I’m sorry. It just kills me to know that some1’s hurting u & that I can help but u won’t let me. Plz reconsider. I’m here 4 u. – Gage

***Raven***

I stare at the message on my phone, not quite knowing what to do. How did he even get my number? And why the hell does he care? He barely knows me. We shared a few kisses, so now he thinks he’s responsible for me? I have to admit, it’s touching. If he’s this protective of me, I can just imagine how he is with people he actually cares about. Chris is hurt and angry and wouldn’t leave me alone. I had to tell him I was going to bed just to get him off the phone. I don’t know how to convince them both to drop the issue.

My thumb hovers over the delete button, but for some reason, I end up saving his number instead – as Minion Boss. I can’t risk Lonnie going through my phone and seeing his name. I then delete the text he sent. Should I reply? What would I say? I gather a man like him doesn’t apologize often, if at all.

R: Thank you, but I’m fine. No one’s hurting me.

I hit send, hoping it’s the end of the conversation. I place the phone next to me, pop in my earphones, and pick up my copy of “War and Peace”. A minute later, my phone vibrates.

G: Why are you protecting the asshole?

R: I’m not protecting anyone. I told you, I walked into a door.

G: A door shaped like a fist? Stop lying to me, Raven.

R: Why won’t you just leave it alone? I’m not your concern.

G: Who’s going to take care of you? That so-called boyfriend of yours??

R: Is that what this is about? Are you jealous???

G: I’m not jealous of some pimply-faced BOY

R: That’s it! You’re jealous! Lol…btw, there are no pimples on his very handsome face :)

There’s a huge grin on my lips as I hit send. I can’t believe he’s jealous of Chris. After one encounter, I had that much of an effect on him? I know he said he’d wait for me, but I haven’t seen or heard from him in weeks. Was he staying away to avoid temptation?

G: He’s ok…if that’s what you’re into.

R: That’s what I’m into.

G: Really? If I kissed you right now, you wouldn’t even remember his name.

R: What if I told you that he’s a better kisser than you?

G: Is he?

Hell no, but I can’t tell him that. Chris is handsome, smart, kind, sweet, caring, and all the qualities you would ever want in a man. He’s also a good kisser, just not as good as Gage. Then again, he’s had years and years of experience. I can’t really compare the two.

R: He’s the only one I’m kissing, so what does that tell you?

G: It tells me that you’re a 1 man kinda woman…and that you’re settling for the boy because you can’t have the man...yet.

R: I don’t want the man. I don’t KNOW the man.

G: Do you want to know me?

If I’m honest with myself, my answer would be yes. I want to know him. I want to know everything about him, but he’s the reason I’m in the situation I’m in.

R: Yes…but we can never be more than friends.

G: Why?

R: That’s just the way it has to be.

G: I won’t accept that. I’ve told myself I’m no good for u. Tried to stay away but I can’t stop thinking about u, the way u felt, tasted…

Oh, my God. He’s been thinking about me? No. I can’t even entertain this conversation. He belongs to Lonnie.

R: I have a boyfriend.

G: Do you love him?

Do I? I like him, but it’s way too early for that emotion.

R: We haven’t been together that long, but I feel like I’m heading there.

G: Do you ever think about that night?

Do I ever? Only almost every minute of every day. He’s not the only one afflicted with persistent memories. I remember how his chest felt against mine, the way he grabbed my ass, how wonderful his lips felt, tasted. Sometimes I wish he had continued and not asked me my age.

R: What night?

G: Liar. You’re thinking about it right now. You’re thinking about how you want me to do it again.

R: No. I’m not.

G: Are you alone?

R: Yes…

G: In bed?

R: Why?

G: Are you?

R: Yes.

G: What are you wearing?

R: Really???? Oh, please!

Instead of replying by text, I see Minion Boss flashing on my screen. Shit. If he thinks I’m having phone sex with him, he’s grossly mistaken.

“We’re not doing this.”

“What are you wearing?”

His low, husky voice sends a chill up my spine. He sounds so fucking sexy.

“What are you wearing?”

“Boxers. Your turn.”

“We. Are. Not. Doing. This.”

“Is your light on?”

“Yes –”

“Turn it off.”

“Are you deaf?”

“I said turn it off.”

I swallow hard at the authority in his voice. Before I know it, I’m flipping the switch, and my room falls into darkness.

“Good girl.”

What the…how does he know?

“One more time. What are you wearing?”

“Pajamas. Shorts and a tank top.”

“Good. Now I want you to kneel on the bed.”

I get on my knees, my heart rate increasing by the second. Fuck. Why am I getting so turned on?

“How do you feel?”

“I feel…good.”

“Turned on?”

“Yes…” My voice comes out as a whisper.

“Touch your breasts for me. Tell me how they feel.”

I reach up and cup my breasts, squeezing them gently. My nipples are hardening.

“They feel…firm but soft at the same time.”

He moans and my pussy jumps. Dear God.

“You’re making me hard, Raven. Does that turn you on?”

Fuck, yes!

“Answer me.”

“Yes.”

“Take off your top.”

Somehow, I get out of it without removing my earphones. There’s no way I want to miss a second of this. My body shivers as I anticipate his next command.

“Is it off?”

“Yes.”

“Good girl. Keep touching your breasts. Squeeze them for me, Raven. Squeeze them hard. Imagine that your hands are mine.”

I moan as I massage my breasts. I don’t want to imagine. I want his hands on me.

“Pinch your nipples. Think about me sucking on them.”

“Oh, God.”

“That’s it, baby doll. Now, be a good girl and take off your shorts.”

I dispose of them quickly and resume my position on my knees.

“They’re off.”

He chuckles and I wonder what the hell is so funny.

“So eager, baby doll. I like it. I like it so much that my dick is hard for you. I’m stroking it right now, thinking about you there on your knees in your panties. Are they blue?”

Is it possible to expire from words? I certainly feel like I’m about to pass out from horniness. Is that even a word? And how the hell does he know the color of my panties?

“Yes, with blue hearts.”

“Hmmm…have you ever touched yourself, Raven?”

“Ummm…no.”

“Will you do it for me?”

“Do you want me to?”