10. Naomi

"I can't believeI did that." I buried my face into my arms.

"I can't believe you propositioned him. That's not what we talked about last night." Iona set the mug of coffee in front of me.

"It just came out."

Iona sat across from me at our little dining room table. She had her own coffee and a cold piece of pizza in her hand. "Want a slice?"

"God, no." I sat up and dragged the coffee mug forward. Maybe if I just put my entire face in the coffee, I'd be a human soon.

Iona took a healthy bite from the slice as if we hadn't consumed four bottles of wine between us the night before. I was woefully out of practice when it came to drinking. Not so much for her, evidently.

"You gotta learn to drink the drier wines—less hangover when it's not all sugars," she said around the bite.

"Or, maybe I just don't drink."

"Nah." She laughed and swapped a bite for a sip of her brew. "What you need to do is drink one of the waters in the fridge—it has electrolytes and vitamins in it. Good for the head and to wake you up. Take a shower and then go get your tiger."

"Dear, God—just how long were you looking at us on the camera?"

"Not long, but I was waiting for the pizza guy. The app told me he was on the way up."

"And you didn't warn me?"

"Definitely not. You were finally getting to the damn point."

My head went back into my stacked arms. "Ugh."

"He definitely has some game. I mean, I'm not shocked."

"Am I completely stupid to do this?"

"Not at all. He's a safe guy to have your sexual awakening with."

I picked up my head and glared at her. "Now you make it sound like a book."

"Well, you are using him—sorry, paying him!" She cackled with a little too much glee. "I can't believe you told him you were going to be an investment." She couldn't stop laughing.

And I wanted to die. "It just seemed to be better than begging for details." But the excitement was beginning to override the stark embarrassment. "I mean, it's perfect to get all the details, right?"

"Sure, the details." Iona took a chomp from her slice.

I sipped from the mug, letting the steam and caffeine continue the wakeup process. I didn't feel too hungover. Listening to the bartender had been right on the money. It was even worth the trip to the bathroom due to the extra-large glass of water I'd had before bed. I was just woefully dehydrated.

Not that the coffee would help there.

I dragged myself up and into the kitchen for the water she'd mentioned in the fridge. It had more sugar than was probably wise, but the list of vitamins on the side was the deciding factor. I chugged it and took my own cold slice now that I was a little more alert. I didn't really want it, but I knew the grease would kill the last of the ick.

I went back into the dining nook and folded myself into my chair. "Now what do I do?"

"Go over there with a notebook, pen, and your phone. Are you going to take videos too?"

"Iona!"

"What? You want class to be in session." She snickered.

"I mean, if it's class then it doesn't include emotion. Then we won't get messy or anything."

"One way to do it."

"Don't sound so dubious." I tore through the crust and nibbled on a corner.

"You don't have to make it...what was the word he used? Transactional? It's okay to just have fun."

"I've jumped from relationship to relationship because I don't know how to make it fun."

"Then you learn. Hello. Class is in session!"

"I hate you." I lifted my mug and drained the last of the cup.

"No, you don't. But this will be fun to watch, that's for sure. And I want all your notes."

"I think you're just fine in that regard."

Iona waggled her eyebrows. "Always looking to learn a few new techniques to blow someone's...mind."

I took both our mugs into the kitchen. "The worst."

"The best." Iona got another slice of pizza and a Diet Coke from the fridge then went into the living room and plopped herself on the couch. "I'm such a good friend that I'll even let you have the shower first."

"Thanks. I need it."

"Then I'm going to get you ready."

I paused on my way down the hall to our shared bathroom. "Don't you mean I'll be getting myself ready? I've been doing it for a long time."

"Yes, but I have the good stuff to get you cute to go next door and wake up Colder."

"I don't know..."

"I know. I have a bunch of new stuff in my stash from Frankie. She's branching out into undergarments this spring and summer. I have something perfect for you."

"I'm not much of a lingerie girl."

"I know, but I have just the thing. Now get yourself all clean, so Colder can get you dirty."

"What if he's not ready? I don't even have his phone number to check."

"It's going to take us a little time to get you ready and by then, he's usually up and moving. Now go on and get."

I was definitely the novice when it came to seduction, so I'd defer to Iona. Since I had a little time to kill, I went with a little extra effort in the shaving, buffing, and exfoliating department. By the time I was done, I was moisturized and felt more like myself. Except for the bundle of nerves alive in my belly.

I wrapped myself in my bathrobe and stepped out.

"Finally. Whoa, look at you! You are practically glowing."

"Too much?" I tucked my hair behind my ear.

"Not at all. The best canvas for me." Iona dragged me down the hall to her room. "Love the hair too. In the light, it has even more streaks of gold. We're going to definitely play up that girl next door vibe you have going on."

"Boring next door?"

"Nope. Guys love a fresh face." She narrowed her eyes. "God, did you even put on any makeup?"

"Just moisturizer and some mascara."

"Lucky duck," she muttered. "You smell like a raspberry treat. He's gonna eat you up."

"I hope so." Instantly, I flushed at the thought.

"That's my girl." She pushed me on her bed, then she went to the rolling rack in the corner and pulled out a case stashed at the bottom. "These aren't exactly my style, but I thought they'd be fun for a trunk sale. You can be my tester." She dropped the heavy suitcase on the bed and unzipped it.

"I don't know, Iona. Oh..." I couldn't resist leaning closer to look at all the colors inside. I was expecting wild contraptions in lace, but instead, I saw satin and silk with flirty ruffles.

Iona stared at the lot of it with her hands on her hips, then she started plucking things out and holding them up against my face. "Nope. Not the right color for you. I like this one though." She tossed hot pink boy shorts beside me, along with a pair of low-rise polka dotted panties in the same color. Not quite bikinis but not full briefs.

I held up the polka dots and noticed the dip along the front.

"You're a what? C cup?"

I glanced down at the vee of my bathrobe. "Ish."

She held up a lacy bralette. "Let's go with the sweet to start, then we can get the sexy stuff out when you're more...advanced."

I shimmied into the panties under my robe then shrugged out of it for the bra.

Iona folded her arms and gave me an arched brow. "Those boobs are bigger than when we were in college."

"So is my ass." I pulled on the bralette. "Why, does it look bad?"

She shook her head. "Not at all. Damn, girl." She pushed me in front of the mirror. "Look at you."

"Holy crap, is that me?" I stepped closer and lifted my breasts to settle them better into the slight support built into it. There wasn't much and if I was any bigger, I definitely wouldn't have been able to wear it. But the panties went high on my legs and low in the front making me look like I got way more gym time than I did.

Iona twirled me around. "Even better than I was expecting. Colder is going to swallow that talented tongue of his."

"You think?" I nibbled on the corner of my thumb.

Iona smacked my hand away. "None of that. You look great. Just one thing." She went over to the top of her dresser, which was full of potions and lotions of some kind. I was pretty sure Iona spent half her income on cosmetics. She came back with a little bottle. "Put a little of this on behind your ear and between your boobs."

"What is it?"

"Just a little something I picked up from a nearby place. Has a blend of essential oils that will get you in the mood."

I raised my eyebrows. "Why?"

"Because you're nervous. Don'tworry, there's nothing crazy in here. It's not made for that kind of partying." She laughed.

I dabbed a little on and handed it back to her. "Oh, it's warming."

"Yeah, it's good stuff. Works with that raspberry thing you have going on. I'm more of a spicy girl, so you keep it."

I curled it into my palm. "Are you sure?"

"Definitely. Oh, one more thing." She went back to her dresser and opened the bottom drawer of one of her many acrylic organizers. She turned back with two foil packets. "Safety first."

Crap. I guess I just assumed he would have them. He was hella more advanced than I was. "Got it. Okay, so first layer is on. What should I wear?"

"What you're wearing."

My mouth dropped open. "I can't go down the hall like this, are you nuts?"

"No, you're going to wear that cute pink jacket."

"That's a rain jacket, Iona."

"I know, but it's cute and it's so you. And he won't be expecting it."

"It's not that long."

"And you have killer legs. It's no shorter than a skirt." She ushered me into the hall and back toward the living area. "Damn, you have a great ass too."

I looked over my shoulder at her.

"Oh, stop. You're going to catch flies with that open mouth. You look amazing and false modesty is just stupid. Own it."

"That isn't part of the research."

"No, but this isn't all research. Or at least not just for the book. You're gorgeous and smart and need to realize that."

I felt ridiculous walking around in just my underwear, but she was right. "Everyone needs a friend like you, Iona."

"They sure don't. I only do this shit for you, Nay."

I went to the closet near the door and pulled out my slicker. Sure enough, it went just low enough on my legs to cover my butt. I sure as hell couldn't bend over in it, though.

"Wear those little gray ballet flats. Next time we'll put you in some cute heels or something. But we're going for cute and fuckable this time."

"Fuckable? Me?" I shoved the condoms and the oil stuff into my pocket, then slipped on my shoes and sagged against the wall in shock.

"Damn right, you are." She hauled me in for a quick hug. "Now go get ‘em."

"What if he's not awake yet? It's barely one o'clock."

"Then you'll be the very best wake up call, won't you?" She opened the door and shoved me outside. "Go. Don't come back here until you've had at least three orgasms."

"Three?"

Iona nodded and shut the door in my face. "Three!" she called through the door.

"That seems excessive," I mumbled.

One and I'd be happy. That's all I usually had, anyway. If I was lucky.

I glanced around the hall, happy to see it was still quiet. There were only four apartments on each floor. I tugged down the coat as if it was going to give me another inch. However, I could pull the zipper up. Thank God.

This was so stupid.

He was going to glance through the peephole and tell me to go back to my apartment.

I flicked my hair over my shoulder. Might as well get this over with. And if he laughed in my face, I would just go watch Criminal Minds and eat the rest of the gelato in the freezer.

Was the hall longer? It felt as if I was taking a million steps.

Finally, his door was there. I nibbled on the corner of my thumbnail. "You can do this, Naomi." I lifted my hand to knock, then I shoved it back into my coat, then I drew it back to my side when the coat rose up at the action.

I didn't need to flash my ass at everyone in the hall.

I knocked.

And waited.

"This is stupid." I fisted my hands at my sides. This was so dumb. He was probably sleeping. Or maybe he wasn't even home. It was a gorgeous Saturday, and he might be out doing whatever it was he did when he wasn't working.

Or maybe he was working the early shift at Lonegan's. I hadn't even asked.

I heard the ding of the elevator and squeaked.

Colder stepped off with a coffee in his hand and a white bag that said Honey Pot. "Hey, Naomi." His temples were wet and there was a swath of wetness at the center of his chest.

"Hi." I shoved my hands into my pockets. "I was just...um."

He got closer and gave me a quizzical look. "It's not raining."

"Right. I..." This was so foolish. I was an absolute idiot.

"It was so nice I went out for a run." His gaze slid down the jacket all zipped to my neck and then down to where the hem ended at the very tops of my thighs. He swallowed hard. "You're in luck. I picked up two hot cross buns. Are you hungry, Naomi?"

I licked my lips. "Not for pastries."

He got closer and he lowered his head. "Tell me you're wearing something under that coat."

"Oh, I'm wearing something."

Visibly, relief washed over him.

Emboldened by his dilated eyes, I tugged the zipper down a little. "Not much, though."