Batteries Not Included: A Romantic Comedy Read online

  “What’s he saying?” Sarah asks, pulling me out of my thoughts. I ignore her for the moment, trying to think of a snappy comeback, one that will let him know that I’m open to more if he is. But one that also will be neutral in context. I’ve never been one to open myself up to disappointment, but I also know that if I push him away, he’ll go and not look back. I’m not sure I’m ready for that.

  “Oh, you left more than a good impression.” I type but hesitate to send it, my finger hovering over the send button.

  “Oh yeah?”

  “Yeah, I think I have a bite mark.”

  “I don’t bite, just nibble.”

  “Are you a vampire?”

  “I’ll be whatever you want me to be.”

  “How about mine?” I text back, knowing I just opened that door wide ass open. But there’s no response, he’s quiet, and now I’m biting my nails. What the fuck was I thinking? This cheap ass wine has got my mind spinning and doing stupid things again.

  “Ugh,” I say as I toss my phone on the sofa next to me.

  “What?” Sarah smiles.

  “I think I just fucked up.” I lay my head back on the sofa. She grabs my phone before I can stop her, and I fight her for the phone.

  “Stop, I’m an expert at this. Leave me alone.” She smirks as she reads the messages, her back turned toward me so I can’t read over her shoulder. “Oh, my, you really opened it up, didn’t you?”

  “Don’t you dare type anything, let it go,” I say, reaching around her to try and grab the phone.

  “Oh, I won’t, let me think a minute.”

  “I really screwed up, didn’t I?” I ask.

  “Maybe not,” she says as the phone dings, and she hands it to me after reading the message.

  “Can I see you Thursday after my shift?”

  “Oh, my God, maybe I didn’t screw things up?”

  “I don’t think so, but think before you respond,” Sarah tells me as my mind spins around like a bingo ball cage, trying to come up with the right response.

  “Not if I see you first,” I punch in and send without time to change my mind.

  “That sounds like a challenge.”

  “Game on.”

  Chapter 13

  The next two days are uneventful, work, and the occasional random text from Nash, always with a sexual undertone. I play his game, but I know the real thing will come Thursday when I see him next. I shake my head at how fast this is going, from a random incident to … What, I don’t know yet. But Sarah couldn’t be happier for me. She’s been trying to set me up for months now, but I just wasn’t interested. Not until Nash, anyway. Now she’s asking me about his friends and if he has a brother.

  Sarah will never settle down, she’s not the type, and I’m not either. Or, at least, I wasn’t, but now I don’t know. We really don’t know each other that well, but I feel I know him enough to take this to the next level if that’s what he wants. I know I’ve opened myself up for heartbreak, but I can’t help it. The thought of him being with anyone else has my head pounding. After the last few days, I feel like he’s already mine. But deep down inside, I know better. I have a habit of getting my hopes up, only for it all to crash and burn in an instant. I trust too easily, and though I’ve fought that by not dating, I know now I’ve got to take that chance. As they say, “It’s better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all,” or something like that.

  But could I love him? Do I already? Nah, it’s too soon. I don’t believe in InstaLove, that’s crazy. That’s something you read about in romance novels, it doesn’t happen in real life. Does it? I suppose it could, but not to me. There’s still so much to learn about him, and him to learn about me. Is that something we can do? Or again, is this just about the sex? The damn good, mind-blowing, fucktastic sex?

  I can deal with that.

  Or can I? I’ve watched my co-dependent mom in action over the years since Dad died, and I always refused to be like her. I am my own woman and will make my place in this world by my own doings, bad or good. I’m independent and strong, but Nash makes me weak. Weak in the knees, that is. It’s been a long time since a man has made me feel that way. I can only hope I didn’t fuck it up the other night.

  I spend the evening straightening up, showering, and getting myself ready for Nash’s visit. I may be overdoing it and getting all prettied up to have my heart smashed. But I’ll take that chance. At least I’ll look good when he dumps me.

  The doorbell rings, and I freeze, contemplating pretending I’m not home. I’ve never been so nervous in my life, even though we’ve seen each other naked. It’s like this a first date or something. I don’t get it, Shelby Mansfield doesn’t get nervous, but tonight I’m shaking in my shoes. I created this problem, opening up a window that I now want to crawl out of and run the other way, shaking my tail feathers in his face as I flee the scene.

  But I take a deep breath and face my fears, opening the door and seeing the most gorgeous man standing there. His hands are in his jeans, and he looks as nervous as I am. His chiseled jaw is covered in stubble like he hasn’t shaved since I saw him last. His button-down shirt is neatly pressed and tucked into his low hanging jeans behind his dark-brown belt. He looks positively drool worthy, but I avoid slobbering on myself and let him in.

  “Hey,” I mutter, not knowing how this evening is going to go. He walks in and turns to face me, then stalks me back against the wall before he ravages my mouth on a desperate kiss. His lips are firm and soft, his tongue intense and demanding. He takes my breath away with this kiss, and I sink into his arms, the relief flooding over me.

  “Mine,” he growls.

  “What?”

  “What you said in your text message.”

  “Oh, that.” I shake it off.

  “Yeah, that,” he says as he kisses me again, only this time it’s softer, gentler, and it feels different. This one is romantic and tender, but my panties are soaked, and I need to get it together before I tackle him on my living room floor.

  I start to ask him if he took my text seriously, but I bite it back to not spoil the mood. His lips leave mine, and I catch my breath as he brushes his hand on my cheek, his eyes soft and soothing. I was serious when I said it, but it’s hard to tell via text. So, I let it go for now and try and get myself together.

  “You want to go to dinner or a movie?” he asks.

  “Sure, give me two seconds,” I say as I brush past him to the bathroom to make sure my makeup isn’t all messed up after that kiss. I grab a lip gloss and head out to toss it into my bag and freeze at what I’m seeing, which is Nash and those damned vibrating panties up against his face, taking a big sniff.

  “I know you didn’t just sniff those.” I laugh as he jerks in surprise.

  “I thought you said these were Sarah’s?” he asks, cutting his eyes at me.

  “They are,” I lie.

  “They don’t smell like Sarah.”

  “And how do you know what Sarah smells like?” I ask my hands now on my hips.

  “I don’t, but I do know what you smell like,” he says as he hands them to me. “Go put them on.”

  “I will not,” I defy him. But he walks up to me and brushes his lips across my ear.

  “Yes, you will,” he whispers, sending a chill up my spine. “You’ll put them on, you’ll wear them out, and you’ll enjoy it, trust me. Taking them off later will be so worth it.”

  I snatch the panties out of his hand and stalk to my bedroom like an errant child and change into these uncomfortable panties. “Ugh, I can’t believe I let him talk me into this,” I mumble as I pull my jeans back up and slip my shoes on. Before I can open the door, the panties go off, and I half jump out of my skin. I open the door and glare at him.

  “And put a skirt on,” he calls out as I button my jeans.

  “Seriously?”

  “I’ve never been more serious,” he retorts. So, I follow his instructions, because I’m a glutton for punishment, and put on a short,
pleated, plaid skirt.

  “This is going to be fun.” He grins.

  “Maybe for you,” I snark.

  “I like the school girl look on you,” he says as he flips up the back, making sure I have on the panties.

  “You’re a pervert,” I respond, smoothing the skirt down over my ass.

  “Oh, just wait, you’ll be so wound up by the time we get home you’ll come in two seconds. Though, it won’t be the first time you come tonight.” He winks.

  “Oh, joy, nothing like a screaming orgasm in the middle of a movie theater, huh?”

  “Ah, that’s a good idea. I was thinking in the midst of the restaurant, but the movie works too.”

  “Great,” I groan.

  “Relax, Shel. The harder you fight it off, the harder the orgasm. It’s my sole mission tonight to have your legs shaking so hard you need me to carry you.”

  “Never,” I say sarcastically. “But remember one thing,” I say, “karma is a bitch.”

  “Oh, don’t I know it, and I can’t wait to meet her.” He smirks.

  “You think Karma is bad? You obviously don’t know me well,” I reply, but he turns on the panties just as I finish, ending my sentence on a small moan. “Fuck,” I say.

  “Oh, we’ll fuck all right, but later. Right now, we have a movie to catch.”

  “Great,” I say, digging these most uncomfortable undies out of my ass.

  “Hmm, are they riding up your ass?” he asks as he wraps his arms around me, reaching back and grabbing my ass, his fingers tucking up between my cheeks as he tugs the thong strap out of my ass. “Lucky thong,” he groans against my cheek.

  “Speaking of asses,” I smart off. “You’ll get yours,” I say as he pulls back.

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  We leave and head toward town to the movie theater, and I relax a little, knowing he can’t flip that remote while he’s driving. I secretly hope he forgets about it, but I know that’s a longshot. We get our tickets, and I follow him all the way up to the back row in the corner. This theater has those luxurious seats that recline, and I sink into the soft leather, adjusting myself as I get comfortable.

  The previews begin, and suddenly, I feel a slow vibration in my panties. I’ve made it my mission to not let this get to me, but his hand on my thigh at the same time isn’t good. I glare at him from the corner of my eye and try to ignore it, shoving my face full of popcorn and staring at the screen. He apparently doesn’t like when I ignore him, so he increases the speed, and I can’t help but let out a soft moan.

  “Whatever you do, don’t come,” he whispers as he increases the speed for about two point four seconds and shuts it off. I sigh at the relief—this is going to be hard. I think that as I glance at his cock and realize that he is, in fact, hard as a rock.

  “You’re getting off on this, aren’t you?”

  “Oh, beauty, you have no idea.” He smiles and then watches the movie screen, leaving me and my wet panties in a twist. Just as an exciting part of the movie starts, he leans down and whispers in my ear, “Lift your knees up and spread your legs.”

  “I will not,” I snap.

  “Oh, you will,” he says as the panties turn on.

  “Fuck,” I groan as I lift my knees. “What if someone sees?”

  “You’d like that, wouldn’t you? To have that stud in front of us turn around and see your glistening pussy in his face as you shatter into a million pieces.” I suck in a breath and brace myself for what he has planned, whatever that is. “Now lean back and enjoy,” he says as he turns up the speed. He then tucks his hand between my legs and slips a finger into me. “Oh yeah, so wet. You’re enjoying this more than I thought you would.” And I groan as he finger-fucks me while the panties vibrate against my clit. The various sensations as well as being in public have me teetering on the edge of climax. I’m wishing we had a blanket to cover my legs, but we don’t, and my pussy is on display in the darkness of this theater.

  He continues to fuck me with is fingers, now having pushed two deep inside, and he strokes me as my wetness floods his hands. “That’s it, baby, you ready to come?” he asks against my ear as I struggle to hold back.

  Just as I’m about to fly over the edge, he pulls his fingers out and stops the vibrations, leaving me squirming in my seat.

  “Asshole,” I mumble as I lower the footrest.

  “Oh no, leave it up. Let the air flow over your pussy and cool it off, it’s hot in there,” he says as he pushes the same fingers that were in my pussy right into his mouth. “Good God, Shelby,” he moans as he licks my juices off his fingers.

  My body finally settles, and I try and focus on the movie, but I’m horny as hell, and if I don’t get relief soon, I may just cry. Sensing my unease, he turns the panties on full speed. They’re so loud I wonder if others can hear. I close my eyes and focus, trying to come before he turns them off again, and when his fingers dig back into my core I open my eyes. Just as the waves of pleasure roll over me, the hot dude in front of us turns around with a finger to his lips to shush us, but his eyes widen, and I explode all over Nash’s hand.

  When I’ve finally ridden the last wave, I look up, and the dude is stunned, his eyes glued to the mess I’ve made of the chair, his eyes hooded and full of lust. “Let’s get out of here,” Nash says as he stands and pulls me up to stand, wrapping his arms around me to keep me from falling. “That was so hot, I almost came in my pants.”

  “You will, soon,” I groan as we run almost at full sprint to his truck. He unlocks, and I step onto the foot bar, giving him a prime view of my ass.

  “Jesus, Shelby,” he says as he dips his head under my skirt and takes a long lick. “Fuck you taste so good.”

  “Take me home and fuck me, Nash. Now.”

  “You got it,” he says as the door closes, and I watch him walk around the truck, his hand adjusting his cock. He thinks he’s won this game, but he has no idea what he’s gotten himself into.

  “Take a right here,” I tell him as we approach a red light.

  “Your apartment is that way,” he says.

  “We’re not going to my apartment right now,” I say. “Now turn right.”

  He follows my demand and turns right. It’s a dark two-lane road with no street lights. He drives slowly trying to figure out where we are, then it dawns on him. “The park?”

  “Yep, park right over there,” I tell him, and he complies, a sexy smirk on his face. “Now get out of the truck,” I say as I climb out on my side. “You like public displays of affection, Nash? Because you’re about to get your payback.” I say to myself as he walks over to my side of the truck. I take his fingers, the same fingers that were in my pussy and his mouth, and suck both of them deep into my throat. As I suck on his fingers, he turns the panties on again. “Oh, no,” I say as I reach up under my skirt and pull them off, tossing them aside. Then I curl my fingers at him in a “come hither” motion over toward the merry-go-round.

  I sit down, and he walks up to me, his cock right in my face.

  “You think you’re cute doing that to me in the movies, huh?” I say as I drag one fingernail down his hard cock. He hisses as he looks down at me with hooded eyes. I lean back on the merry-go-round and lift my legs, giving him a good view of my pussy before slipping my own fingers inside me. I’m slick, and my fingers slide easily inside. I stroke myself a few times before sucking on my fingers again. “You want to be here?” I ask, toying with my clit. I’m on fire teasing him, and I decide I’d better stop before I come again.

  “You know it,” he says as he unzips his jeans and lowers them, his massive cock springing out from its confines. He moves toward me, and as he gets between my legs, I close them against his thighs.

  “Not so fast, Romeo,” I purr as I sit up and abruptly swallow his cock, my name rolling out from between his lips.

  “God, I love my cock in your mouth,” he says as he looks down at me. I swallow around him and suck him down as his fingers wrap around
my head. “Be still,” he says as he fucks my mouth, hard and long. My lips curl around him, and I struggle to not hit him with my teeth as he takes what he needs. Then I realize he’s turned this around, and I release him on a pop.

  “Oh, no, this is payback,” I say as I duck my head under his cock and suck his balls into my mouth.

  “Fuck,” he groans as I suck his balls and stroke his cock, which is slippery from my lips. I lift up and kiss the tip, darting my tongue out and scooping up the drop of pre-cum that glistens in the moonlight. I curl my tongue around him and stroke him as I suck him. “Easy, Shel. You keep that up, this will be all over before it starts.”

  My point exactly. So, I don’t slow down; instead, I deep throat him and at the same time, spread my saliva back toward his ass and circle his asshole. I feel him clench, so I release him. “Relax,” I copy his words. He doesn’t move, just stares down at me like, “don’t you dare go there,” but I ignore him and suck him deep just as I push my pinky into his tight asshole while pressing behind his balls with my thumb.

  “Fuck,” he groans as he fucks my mouth. “Fuck, that’s … Holy shit,” he barks as I pull back and he shoots his load all over my face, warm and sticky. I catch a drop with my tongue, and he jerks off one more stream, and I catch that as well, swallowing every drop I can get.

  A stiff breeze blows and ruffles his hair as he looks down at me. “Get in the truck,” he demands, almost angry. But I know he’s not, he’s just anxious to sink deep inside me, and so am I.

  Chapter 14

  He races back to my apartment, and we barely get inside before he has me up against the door, my skirt up and his cock pounding me. I lock my ankles around his hips, and he fucks me hard and fast, then slow and easy. It’s surreal, and I feel like we’re in our own porn movie. The sounds and smells of sex fill the room, and I grunt my orgasm into his mouth as he takes my lips, our tongues wrestling for dominance. But he wins as he lowers me onto the floor and bends me over the arm of the sofa.