The Trade(55)

“So slowly I thought it was stuck on my lip at one point.” She laughs some more. “His eyes did not leave my mouth, so I asked him if he wanted a bite. He nodded and I gave him a piece, well, I fed him a piece from my fork.”

“Hot.”

“I know, right? It was a moment. So when we got back to the hotel, I was thinking, this might be it. I saw the way he was looking at me, and maybe he has a love affair with key lime pie for all I know, but I thought I’d test things out.”

“You pulled out the nightgown.”

I nod even though she can’t see me. “I did.”

“And . . .”

“And nothing. I mean . . . nothing. I even rubbed against him a little, grazed my foot along his leg, pressed my hand to his thigh. Nothing.”

“Wow.”

“I know. Granted, we were watching The Office, but I mean, come on, it was the perfect moment. We were both lying in bed, all he had to do was roll over and I was his. My body was thrumming, aching, begging him to touch me. It was maddening. It went on for so long that I finally gave up and went to sleep. The next morning, I have no idea if he slept in the same bed or not because he was out of the room before I even woke up. We spent the day by the ocean with the group. The guys played football, I watched Cory’s muscle work under the sun, and finally when I got the chance to be alone in the room, I took care of the ache I’ve been feeling. But it wasn’t good enough. It was barely satisfying.” I let out a long sigh and say, “I don’t think I can do this much longer. The sexual tension building in me is at an all-time high. I am legit sexually frustrated.”

“Then just go bang some guy. Get it out of your system.”

“I don’t think I have that in me. And where would I bang him? In the room I share with Cory?”

“No . . . in a closet or something. Be creative. At least just have some guy stick his fingers in you. You can’t do it yourself, you need someone to remove the buildup, and if Cory isn’t man enough to do it, then I’m sure someone at the resort is.”

“I don’t think it has to do with if he’s man enough, I think . . .” I choke back the emotion building up in my throat. “I think it’s me.”

“Bullshit.” Monica’s voice booms over the phone. “I know I’m your best friend and we expect each other to pump the other up, but I am going to tell you straight-up facts. No sugarcoating it. You are beautiful. You are a goddamn catch. Yes, you have an ass and your thighs are something to grip on to, but your breasts are unfairly high and perky, and I’ve seen your nipples. What I wouldn’t give for your nipples. You’re a bombshell, Nat, and if Cory can’t see that, it’s his loss.”

“I wish it wasn’t his loss,” I say quietly.

“I know, but don’t let this stop you from having fun. So he’s not interested. Fine. Thank you, next, as Ariana would say. Move on. Your job tonight, when you’re all hanging out at the bar, is to flirt with someone else, get another guy to take you back to his room, or at least behind a palm tree. You don’t need much privacy for a classic finger fuck.”

“Have I ever told you how ladylike you are?”

“Not nearly enough.”





“Damn, Natalie,” Dottie says coming up to me. “You look gorgeous.”

“Thank you,” I say, smoothing down my red, flared dress. My tits are out for the world to see, barely contained in the tight spaghetti-strap top, my waist is on fire with how the dress gives me an hourglass shape, and the hem of the dress touches right above my knees. I’m wearing black lace underwear rather than a thong, because I know one twirl in this dress will expose my backside to the entire resort. I want to look hot, not slutty.

I spent time curling my shoulder-length hair only to brush it out and piece it with my favorite texture spray, giving me the sexy, beach-wave look. I coated on the mascara and put on my favorite red lipstick. When I looked in the mirror, I knew I’d stepped it up, and even though my goal is talk to other men tonight, I can’t help but hope Cory takes one look at me and drags me back to our room.

A girl can only dream.

Taking in Dottie’s yellow, form-fitting dress, I say, “You look hot. Jason see you yet?”

“Begged me not to leave the room. He’s still back there, hoping I change my mind.”

“Ridiculous. Does he plan on joining us?”

“Yes, but I think he’s going to pout for a little while longer.” Dottie looks over her shoulder and then whispers. “Has Cory seen you in this outfit?”

I shake my head. “No, I have no idea where he is. But that doesn’t matter, because I’m going to talk to other men tonight. That conference let out. There should be some single men milling about, someone who wants to go hang out in a closet and do some naughty things.”

“A closet?” Dottie cringes. “Have a little more class than that.”

I lean in and say, “It’s been months. I will scrunch my body into a seedy bathroom on a rickety boat if that means I find a release.” I glance over my shoulder too and say, “Trust me when I say, the tension in my room is at an all-time high. I need something to distract me tonight.”

“Really?” she asks. “That bad?”

“Awful.”