Missed Connections: Stepping Out Read online

  He scanned through to her section and read. And frowned, then reread it and gave an angry laugh.

  To a woman complaining about her man’s wandering attention, Gwen had this to say.

  Dear Wanderer’s Woman,

  It’s good that your man is only looking, not following. But something to remember—men are a lot like dogs. And I mean that in a nice way. Simple and direct. You want him to fetch you something, you yell fetch. He’s hungry, he eats. He’s angry, he barks. Men are pretty simple.

  You don’t like him looking at other women, tell him. He’s not a mind reader. And if he insists it’s only a one-time thing—don’t they all—carry a newspaper with you. Every time you catch him ogling other women, smack him on the nose. Trust me; he’ll learn the error of his ways. If he doesn’t, he’s not worth a neuter fee. Throw him back in the pound.

  To all those men out there who think it’s okay to step out on your girlfriends, fiancées, and wives, remember that what’s good for you is ideally great for us. You get what you give. While I’m on the subject, ladies, if your man is really acting like a dog, treat him like one. Buy him a collar and leash and don’t be afraid to use it. God knows the last man I went to dinner with could have used a good bit of neutering and a muzzle.

  Lady in a Rose-Print Dress

  She’d changed her signature from Gwen to Lady in a Rose-Print Dress, a deliberate slap back at him. He wondered if readers would notice. The Insider would find out tomorrow. Though annoyed at being compared to a dog, in Aaron’s case, the description fit.

  Gwen had written that article before last night. Would she feel the same way when they met again? If they met again? To his chagrin, he realized she’d left so quickly that he hadn’t had time to do more than wave good-bye from the bed while she tore out the door.

  Or had she been running from him? “Hell.” His head hurt, trying to understand women. Sure, he might be like a dog. He was hungry, he ate. He was tired, he slept. At least he was understandable. Gwen had a habit of adding two plus two and getting five. Granted, their first misunderstanding had confused both of them. But at this stage in their quasi relationship, he wanted a straight-talking partner. They had to work together, after all.

  He glanced at his cell phone, dithering about what to do. Text her? Call her? Just tell her what he expected of her?

  Which was what, exactly? He wanted another go at her body, certainly. More than that…he wanted another date. More conversation. A chance to see her smile, watch her big blue eyes light up with amusement at something he said. To see her wear those sexy glasses and her hair in a loose bun and know he’d had the real her. Been inside her.

  “Oh man. This is going to seriously suck.” He stared down at yet another erection when he should have been exhausted from their night of fun. Though he’d been inside her without a condom that once, they’d reverted to protection for the other three times.

  Five times. One night. A personal record, made all the better because Gwen had come every time he had. “I might be a dog, but I’m an unselfish one.”

  Deciding to go for broke, he whipped out his phone and was about to ask her about her plans for the evening when a text interrupted.

  Nothing to do tonight. Mia is hanging with Trent. Want to come over for dinner?

  He smiled and immediately responded, “Yes. Dinner’s on you. I’ll bring dessert.”

  Chapter Five

  Gwen stared at the text she’d just received and let the joy swamp her. Relieved Conlan didn’t appear to be playing games, she tucked the phone away and turned to see Mia staring at her from across the kitchen table.

  “You are such a whore.”

  Not having had a chance to shower and change since Mia had insisted on breakfast right away—no doubt to give Gwen less of a chance to make an excuse to put off their meeting—Gwen glanced down at herself, then at Mia, and rolled her eyes. “This from the woman who banged Trent on the first date?”

  “Hey, I’m easy. We all know that. But you… You’re made of sterner stuff. Men are dogs and all that.”

  “Liked the column, huh?”

  “Made me laugh. But I already had a leash for Trent.”

  “Mia, TMI.”

  Mia laughed. “It’s his dog’s, but sometimes I tease I’m going to use it on him. With the way his mind works, he needs it, believe me. But enough about him. Tell me all about the man you spent… The. Night. With.”

  Gwen sipped her coffee, glad she’d agreed to share breakfast with her cousin at home. Anticipating the inquisition, she’d wanted privacy for this particular conversation. “Yes, yes. I broke my man-hating celibate streak. With the alleged cheater, no less.”

  “Not a cheater. A good guy. We established that.”

  “Yes, we did.” She smiled, unable to resist. “And oh my God, he was fantastic in bed. I mean, we have some kind of chemistry.” Even better, her superexcited reaction hadn’t grossed him out. The one time it had happened with Perry, he’d been disgusted. Considering he’d been the one hitting that hot spot, she thought he could have taken some of the blame.

  Conlan had been fascinated, turned on, and had given her a night full of orgasms.

  “I’ve never seen that look on your face before,” Mia commented. “So tell me more.” As a bribe, she handed over her bacon.

  “If you insist.” Gwen gobbled up the salty meat, famished from her workout. “We had sex. Five times. I’ve never had that much sex in one night in my life.”

  Mia gaped.

  “You’ve seen him. He’s got stamina, I’ll say that for him. It doesn’t hurt we were both coming off a sexual hiatus.”

  “Hiatus. Yeah, that’s one way of looking at your dry spell.”

  Gwen frowned and continued, “My biggest surprise wasn’t that he was into sex, but that he wanted me to climax too. Like, every time.” She felt hot thinking about it.

  “I keep telling you. Not everyone is like the losers you’ve dated.”

  “Hey. Some of them were okay.”

  “Perry was a pompous ass. Before him, Dave—nice but boring. And you said he was a dud in bed. Then Mitch. Not much going on there but a love of sports.”

  “He liked sex.”

  “Yeah, for himself. Didn’t you say you had to do all the work to get happy?”

  “Oh. I’d forgotten about that.”

  “I would too if I’d been with Mitch. He was handsome, but such a prick.”

  Gwen sighed. “I spent the entire night with Conlan, Mia. What does that mean?”

  “That you couldn’t get enough of each other. Which I think happened.”

  “True.”

  “And you both wanted more from the other.” Mia watched her. “Did you cuddle? What was he like after?”

  “We didn’t cuddle right away. I mean, the first two times were like going up in flames. Wow.”

  “Nice.”

  “But then we cleaned up, talked, flirted, had more sex.”

  “You talked?”

  Gwen nodded, remembering how he’d asked her opinions on things, then listened. They didn’t know each other well, but she’d understood that Conlan was a rare man she liked. She wouldn’t call herself a man-hater, but for a long time, she hadn’t exactly liked the male gender as a whole. Her father and Trent were exceptions. Her experience with Conlan, though, skewed her perspective. A lot.

  “Ahem. You talked?” Mia prodded.

  “Sorry. I’m tired.”

  “I’ll bet. I’m just impressed you can walk without being bowlegged.”

  Gwen laughed. “Shut up. So yeah, he and I talked about a lot of stuff. Politics, favorite flavors, colors. Then he did me seven ways to Sunday. I mean, the guy is really creative.”

  “He is a writer.”

  Another thing Gwen loved about the guy. He understood the creative process. He also had a work ethic on par with hers. “Mia, I spent the night with him. And I wanted to.” She sighed. “I think the sex is clouding my judgment. I like him a lot.”
/>   “Finally.”

  Mia held up a hand, and Gwen reluctantly high-fived her.

  “I knew you’d see the light sometime.”

  “I texted him about coming over tonight.”

  “Perfect. I’ll stay at Trent’s.”

  “He texted me back right away. What does that mean?”

  Mia grinned. “One, he’s into you. Two, he’s not a jerk. Not playing mind games. Kind of like a dog,” she teased. “He’s hungry, he eats. He’s horny, he texts his love muffin.”

  “Okay, now that was just mean.”

  Mia snickered and got up to pour herself another cup of coffee. “Sorry. Couldn’t help myself. You’re so cute when you’re tuckered out from sex and suffering bedhead.”

  Gwen groaned. “I know. He saw me like this. Of course, he looked fantastic all mussed. His hair is short, so it didn’t mess. But that stubble on his chin, those sexy pecs and shoulders. Wow. He has a killer body.”

  “So this relationship is primarily about sex.”

  “Well, yes. No.”

  “Which is it?” Mia asked. “You’re obviously worried you’re liking him because he’s good in the sack. Yet you talked with the guy too, and you said he ‘listened.’”

  She was feeling way too much for a one-night stand. “You don’t need air quotes for that,” Gwen said irritably, now not sure if she’d made the right call inviting him over.

  “Yeah, I do. He’s the first guy you’ve given a chance since Perry. It’s natural you’re not sure if you can trust him. Take it slow. I mean, don’t count the sex as slow. If that’s working, go for it.”

  “It’s working. It’s the emotional quagmire I’m not sure of.”

  Mia just stared at her.

  “What?”

  “You do realize normal people don’t use quagmire when speaking.”

  Gwen snorted. “And this is why I write the posts and you handle the ads and social media.”

  “You realize you’re trying to skirt the topic. You have feelings for Conlan that are new and confusing. So you’re trying to figure out how to end this with him before it can begin.”

  “Am not.”

  “Oh? Tell me you’re not reconsidering the invite for him to come over tonight.”

  “Well…maybe.”

  Mia blew out a breath. “Look. You and he connected. You don’t have to marry the guy. Take it slow and easy. On the emotional stuff, I mean. Keep having the hot sex. If you’re going to get something out of this healing relationship, at least get a few orgasms. If not, why bother with the guy?”

  “You make a good point.” She knew Mia was somewhat kidding. The physical aspect to dealing with Conlan didn’t worry her at all. The emotional minefields of maneuvering around his feelings might be annoying. Gwen was not the most subtle person. Nor did she want to be.

  “Of course I do. I’m the brains; you’re the beauty of the outfit.”

  “Please. Aaron—the cheater—wanted you. Not me.”

  “Instead, you—my beautiful cousin—got Conlan ‘I Give My Woman Orgasms’ Dawson. Take it and run, you idiot.”

  “Words to live by.”

  They sipped their coffee in quiet, then Mia perked up.

  “Do you think he’s read your column yet?”

  “Oh. Well, I wrote that before last night.” Before I knew what an absolute keeper he is. No, not keeper. Great guy. Thoughts of permanence scared her. She’d been with Perry for nine months, committed, and had it all fall apart. One date with Conlan and she thought she could fathom a happily ever after? “I am definitely in over my head with the sex, though. He’s clouding my thoughts,” she complained.

  “So see how he reacts to your column. If he laughs it off, you take another step toward him. Just relax. Don’t try to make everything about marriage and kids from day one. You ask me—”

  “I didn’t.”

  “—that’s your real problem. You don’t know how to date. It’s all rings and roses or nothing with you.”

  She had a point. Gwen had never been a serial dater. Sticking with one man for a long time or being alone seemed her go-to choices. “So take it slow, have fun with Conlan, and don’t think about tomorrow? Is that what you’re saying?”

  “Finally. She hears me. It’s a miracle!”

  “Haven’t we discussed your sarcasm before?”

  “A crisis of faith, averted, thanks to the amazing Mia Sanders.” Mia pumped her fists in the air. “A miracle of a woman, a wonder of nature, and an all-around captivating professional when it comes to Facebook and Twitter and Tumblr.”

  “Don’t forget Pinterest,” Gwen muttered.

  “And—”

  “And I’m through. I need a shower.”

  “Yeah, and brush your teeth. You whore,” Mia added with a fake sneer.

  “Thanks. Love you too.” Gwen stuck out her tongue.

  “No, thanks. Man-kisser.” Mia laughed. “I’ll be in the office, sharing your article with the world. You have half an hour to get working.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Not with these breasts. I’m a ma’am all the way.”

  “Whatever. More like a fishwife with all that nagging.”

  “Yak yak yak.”

  Gwen left her cousin nattering on, smiling at how great she felt. Talking with Mia had given her some clarity. As she showered, she decided to take things with Conlan as they came. A new pattern for her, being easygoing. She’d often been accused of being too controlling, yet last night she’d let Conlan take charge and had been in heaven. Maybe taking things as they came and having fun would be the answer to her fledgling relationship. Or maybe they’d have sex some more and call it quits. Either way, she had to work with the guy. No sense in creating drama where there didn’t need to be any.

  She hummed as she cleaned up, then returned to the office five minutes earlier than planned. Smiling, with a full cup of coffee waiting for her, she responded to comments online. Before she knew it, her day flew by, leaving her elated that she’d accomplished so much in so little time.

  With only an hour to go until Conlan arrived, she hurried to pick up the house. What to have for dinner?

  As she stared into her freezer, another thought hit her. What would he bring for dessert? Had “dessert” been a euphemism for sex, or was he bringing cheesecake?

  Either way, her mouth watered. With a grin, she settled on chicken and prepared to wow him with her mother’s favorite recipe.

  * * * *

  Conlan sat in the upscale diner and stared in dismay at Aaron. He’d had to push off their meeting for a few hours due to some editorial issues with his current novel-in-progress. After dealing with a picky editor, he wasn’t in the best of moods. And having to handle Aaron before meeting with Gwen put a serious damper on his evening plans.

  “It wasn’t my fault, I’m telling you. I think I’m a sex addict.”

  Conlan knew no such thing. He’d once done research on the subject of sex addiction for his column in the paper. The addiction existed. Yet because of assholes like Aaron—who glommed on to a compulsion such as sex addiction to excuse their behavior—many people doubted sex addiction to be real.

  Conlan did his best to be patient with the asshole. “I see. Let me ask you something. Are you an obsessive type of person?”

  Aaron blinked. “Uh, no. I don’t think so.”

  “Have a low self-esteem?”

  Aaron snorted. “Dude, the problem is I’m too sexy for women to handle. They all want me. I can’t say no.”

  “No to self-esteem issues. Do you have sex every day?”

  “Not every day,” Aaron said defensively. “I have a life and a job. I mean, my nights are my own, but if I don’t focus, I can’t function at the firm and—”

  “I rest my case. You’re not an addict, just a man with a high opinion of himself and little care for anyone else. You’re selfish and obviously not ready to settle down.” Conlan had no problem telling Aaron the truth, gratified when the man looked away.
“Do Lisa a favor, man. Get out of her life. Let her find someone who’ll love her and treat her right.” To his discomfort, Aaron glanced up at him with glassy eyes.

  “Don’t you get it? I screwed up. I love her so much.”

  “So much that while she’s six months pregnant with your kid, you’re busy trying to hook up on craigslist? Really, Aaron? Come on. Yeah, you screwed up, and you got caught. Problem is, you have a kid on the way, and that’s not going to change. Lisa told me you didn’t want kids this soon.”

  Aaron wiped his eyes, not even trying to be subtle about it. “I know. I’ll love the kid, but I…I don’t think I can do it. Not fatherhood when I’m not even out of my twenties.”

  “So let her go. Quit bugging her to stay when you know you won’t commit. Can you seriously tell me you’ll get back with my sister and not stray? No more looking at other women. No more flirting or fucking strangers. Just Lisa. Forever.” Hearing the relationship described in terms of such finality even made Conlan uneasy about the institution of marriage. But he wanted this guy out of his sister’s life. If Aaron remained close, she’d live in misery. Hormonal, pregnant, and dealing with a fiancé who didn’t love her enough to be faithful, Lisa was already suffering stress she didn’t need.

  “I don’t know if I can let her go, Conlan.” Aaron stared at his untouched plate of food.

  “Yeah? Well, you should have thought of that before you fucked around on her the first time.” Disgusted and aggravated by the idiot, Conlan stood, shoved his chair back, and left.

  Aaron could foot the damn bill. A dry part of himself noted he’d done just what Gwen had done to him a few days ago. At least this time, the right guy was being stiffed.

  Frustrated and worried he’d done more harm than good for interfering, he swung by the grocery store and picked up a few items. By the time he pulled up at Gwen’s, he’d just made it without being late.

  Determined to have a great night even if it killed him, he left his car and hustled to her door.

  She answered after the first knock. “Hey.” Her smile faded as she looked at him. “What ran you over?”

  He blew out a tired breath and entered when she stepped back. “I had a run-in with the cheater.”