Diving Into You

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

Riley

“You just need to seduce him, that’s all.” Eve was saying it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. And maybe it was… for her.

“Like I haven’t tried.” I rolled my eyes at her, the alcohol loosening my tongue. “We pretty much do everything together, we study and hang out. He even carries my books for me and takes me to lunch. He’s my boyfriend in all the ways that matter.”

“Not all the ways that matter Riley.” Eve’s eyes crinkled at the edges as she leant obey the table, her voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper. “Unless you have been holding out on us. You banged the quarterback of your dreams?” Her eyebrows waggled and next to her Debbie tried to hide her laugh by taking a drink, which she then spluttered over the table as she snorted.

“No.” I looked away.

“Then you aren’t like a couple in all the ways that matter are you? I tell you, you need to seduce him.”

“I’ve tried.” Well tried was maybe not the right word but …

“No, you haven’t. I love you Riley but you are not gonna seduce him dressed like that and doing the things you always do. You need to get him to notice YOU.”

Frowning I glanced down at myself. What was so wrong about me? Carl had never complained about how I looked before. He had even said I looked pretty occasionally.

“Like I am ready to seduce a guy.” She rugged down the scalloped edge of her black dress so reveal a red satin bra underneath. “What underwear have you got on?”

Blushing I pulled at my bra strap.

Black.

Basic.

“See, you don’t need to change who you are, a little flash of some sexy underwear…..” Eve was interrupted as Debbie joined the conversation. “And a hotel room, surprise him. Show him a side of you that he hasn’t seen before.”

“I don’t have the body to wear the stuff you do.” Plus I would feel foolish if I got all dressed up and he still rejected me. “You fill out everything you wear.” I motioned to Eves boobs pushed up obscenely high on her chest.

“Oh be quiet. You have like the willowy figure guys love, you just need to put it in something pretty. No not that type of pretty.” She shook her head and I knew she knew I was about to start talking about my favourite floral summer dress. I snapped my teeth together. “Slutty pretty. The kind that will make Carl’s eyes bug out of his head. And when he least expects it you should drop to your knees and …”

“Eve.” My giggle joined Debbies as we both blushed. It wasn’t that we were exactly innocent but Eve had no filter at all.

She held her hands up. “Fine none of that. But you should definitely put out on the first date.”

“And then leave him in bed before he wakes up the next morning.” Debbies giggle was infectious and I couldn’t help a small snort of laughter at her words. The visuals were funny as hell but could I really do that? In the cold hard sober light of day could I sneak out like it was nothing but a one night stand or would I lay next to him, staring at that perfect boy next door face and have all our kid’s names planned out before he opened his eyes?

“Yes, leave before he wakes up.” Eve was grinning ear to ear. As if this was the best thing she had heard all year. “Leave him totally used and abused and wanting more and then ghost his calls for a week.” She pointed a finger threateningly. “Make him want what he can’t have. Just one little taste and he will be putty in your hands.”

“That is the stupidest plan I have ever heard. You two are meant to know me right? I don’t even have anything remotely suitable to seduce …”

“And you know me right?” With a flourish Eve pulled out her phone, her fingers worked furiously as I watched, her eyebrows pinching together. Pausing she showed the phone to Debbie who blushed scarlet.

What the hell were they up to?

“Done.”

Done? What did she mean done? My heart sank. “I don’t think I want to ask.” My tongue felt thick suddenly, my mouth filled with saliva.

“We have ordered you the perfect set. It’s going to knock his socks off. Operation bang Carl is go.”

I barely heard her as I launched myself from my stool.

“Hey, where are you going?”

Mutely I pointed to the door that lead to the corridor that held the bathrooms, my other hand clamped tightly over my mouth.

Definitely shouldn’t have had that last glass of wine.

Ten minutes later I pushed open the door to the ladies room, my lips wet from the water I had splashed on my face. I hated being sick but what did I expect? It always happened when I went drinking.

Pausing I sniffed, a familiar scent tickled at my nostrils. The hallway smelt of Carl. He always wore the same aftershave, rich and masculine. Squinting my eyes because seeing straight was starting to become a challenge I made my way to the tall broad man who had his back to me.

Had Carl always been so tall?

Normally I would have just called his name, said hi shyly and pray he had the time to spend some time with me but tonight I was feeling brave. Whether from too much alcohol or my friends encouraging words I didn’t know but I reached out. Running my hand across the curve of his ass.

“Hey, Carl.” I stepped up to, marvelling at the tightness of the muscles under my hand. How had I not noticed how solid he was?

“Do I know you?”

His voice sounded strange, deeper somehow but I shook the thought away as I slipped my hands around his waist.

“Baby it’s me?” Even in my drunk state, I sounded stupid and I was glad he had his back to me and couldn’t see my blush.

“Darling I think you have me mixed up with someone else.” One warm hand caught my wrist as my hand reached where his shirt met his waistband.

This seducing malarky was harder than I thought it would be.

“Come on Carl, it’s Riley.” Taking a deep breath I opened my mouth to ask him before I sobered up too much and got embarrassed.

“I was thinking me and you….” I let my eyes wander up to his chest as he turned. My hands coming to rest on the rock hard body under the crisp white shirt.

God, he was hot.

“I was thinking me and you should get out of here.”