I love that Ryan Coogler cast a big, thick and glorious dark skinned black woman as the main love interest and I love that the sex scene was unapologetically sexy and passionate. I loved seeing this big strong and muscular black man bend this big, thick ebony goddess over and gave her some hot and heavy soulful kind of love. It wasn’t wrong or gratuitous.
thinking about toji with a sensitive girl who runs away before she cums, saying it’s too much and she can’t take it! cw: hints of sadism & machoism, unintentional edging, squirting, he’s pretty sweet ^.^
“baby, c’mon, you’re making this harder for yourself.” he chides, dragging your twitchy hips back. your thighs stay shut and he sends you a pointed glare, “what’s this?”
“toji,” you sniffle, “s’ too much, i can’t do it.”
with your teary eyes and quivering legs, toji can’t help but be mean. you’re so cute. it might be the death of him.
“want to use your special little word?” he asks lowly, already knowing your answer.
you shrink in on yourself, “n-no…”
he hums, a sick grin tugging on his lips. “i’m gonna need something more convincing than that, baby.”
you pout. he’s teasing you. he likes to see you like this.
shyly, you open your thighs, revealing your soaked cunt to him. his eyes lock in on your needy hole, twitching and drooling all over the bedsheets. “please, toji, make me cum..”
“aw, how sweet. saying please too, how can i say no?” he mutters, thick hand caressing your thigh, trailing closer to where you need him.
“you’re not gonna run this time, right?” he pats your pussy, entertained by the way you tense and how you force your legs to stay open.
“m’ not!” he knows you’re lying. but it’s fine, he likes testing how far you can go.
he thumbs your clit, watching you intently. you’re staring down at his hand, anticipating his next move. slowly, he pushes two fingers inside, groaning to himself when you squeeze down on his digits, “what a slutty cunt,” he grouses, “see doll, she’s begging to cum, but you’re not letting her.”
toji prods around, still thumbing your clit and you think you’re going to cry.
“hold your legs back,” he doesn’t even bother looking at you, “your legs are trying to close on me.”
you know what’s gonna happen if you hold your legs back. but also, what happens if you don’t. you shake your head, defiant. “i don’t wanna…”
the man hums, amused. “you’re gonna be like that?” you nod, testing him.
“hmm, i think m’ done being nice to you.” your pupils morphing into hearts at his words, barely even realizing that he’s putting a hand on your thigh, pushing it down to make room for him. he locks your other leg underneath him.
his fingers know exactly where to poke, thumb still on your clit. he’s so precise, aiming for that one spot again and again.
naturally, because he’s already tried to make you cum a few times, it doesn’t take long for you to know you’re gonna cum.
“don’t.” he scolds, already knowing what you’re up to, “don’t hold it, cum.”
it’s overwhelming, you’re not sure if you’re holding it intentionally, but you like it when he forces you to cum anyway. “i c-can’t, toji, toji no!”
you’re trying to squirm away. away from the onslaught of pleasure. toji glares at you and then you hear it.
a soft buzz and you look down, mortified. he’s still fingering you, despite the fact you’re clenching down so hard he can barely move his fingers.
“wait.. wait toji, baby, please,” you beg, “i’ll cum, i’ll cum now. but plea—easeeee!”
“i’ve given you enough chances,” he frowns, pressing the little toy against your clit, he continues driving his digits into you. “c’mon baby, make me happy.”
you’re sobbing hysterically, unable to get away from the pleasure. toji laughs, “let go, i dunno why you’re doing this to yourself.”
writhing on the bed is useless because you can’t escape his hold—teetering on the edge of orgasm is making your mind go numb.
“n-no, m’ gonna cum, toji i can’t hold it! it’s gonna come ouuuttt!” he doesn’t let up, shaking the toy and watching your back arch up.
“hands.” he scolds and you immediately withdraw your clammy fingers from his own, “that’s good, now c’mon, you know what i want.”
it’s paralyzing, left leg shaking uncontrollably underneath him while you babble incoherently. he keeps a watchful eye, working you to it. he feels his cock drooling pre at the sight of you—the feeling of you falling apart on his fingers is making his mind hazy.
your vision whites. toji whistles lowly, watching you splash liquid all over his lower tummy, soaking his boxers. he tosses the vibrator aside, thick fingers gently working you through it.
you’re practically screeching, becoming so fidgety that toji has to use his free hand to scoop up your wrists, keeping you at his mercy.
“shh, baby, that’s good. that feels good, don’t it?” when your body relaxes, he pops his fingers out, shamelessly putting them in his mouth. he leans over you, pressing his weight onto you.
burly hands hold your face, grinning at your bleary eyes and tear soaked cheeks. “hey, gorgeous,” he hums sweetly, pressing a wet kiss to your cheek. you’re panting, trying to catch your breath and he doesn’t want to overwhelm you, but it’s in his nature to be a little mean.
pressing his tongue into your open mouth, you moan, unable to keep up and he breathes out a laugh, pulling away. he knocks his nose against yours, praising you quietly.
weak arms throw themselves over his neck, keeping him close to you. you can feel his bulge twitch, a familiar warmth beginning spread over your body.
“tojiii~” you tease, “i think your little friend wants some attention too.”
he’s amused, grinning wolfishly. “haven’t you had enough, lady?”
you pretend to ponder, “i can’t say for sure.”
“you started this,” he pulls away, manhandling your body so you’re on your knees, face smushed into the pillow, “i think you’re biting off more than you can chew, doll.”
-ˋˏ A/N: Posted last night AND this morning? I'm spoiling yall teehee ˎˊ-
You couldn't be patient, so he makes you do it yourself <- Click!
"I'm waiting," Joe drawls, his voice dripping with mock patience as he leans back comfortably, hands resting behind his head. His plaid pajama pants cling to his form, straining against the impressive outline of his cock, a tantalizing promise of what you crave. You can feel the heat rising to your cheeks, embarrassment washing over you as your bare core makes contact with his thigh, the warmth of his skin igniting your need.
“Please, Joey, just fuck me. Please,” you whine, desperation lacing your tone. You can’t help it; the ache between your legs is unbearable, and your body craves his touch. But to him, your pleas are nothing more than a joke, and he chuckles softly, shaking his head.
“You think you deserve this? You think you can just beg me and get what you want?” The way he looks at you—half-teasing, half-serious—makes your heart race with embarrassment and arousal.
“No, Y/N,” he replies sharply, amusement glimmering in his eyes. “I told you to wait. I have film to watch first, and you’ll have my attention after that. But look at you—you can’t even handle a little waiting, can you?”
His words sting, a mix of humiliation and yearning flooding your senses. “Go on, baby,” he urges, his tone dripping with condescension. “Ride my thigh. Show me how desperate you are for it. You couldn’t be patient, so you might as well take what you can get.”
With a shaky breath, you obey, your hips moving instinctively as you grind against his clothed thigh. The friction is delicious, but it only serves to heighten your frustration. You can feel your arousal dripping down, soaking into the fabric of his pants, and the realization makes you squirm with shame. Joe watches, a sly grin spreading across his face as he takes in the sight of you, panting and needy, a perfect little plaything.
You whimper, the humiliation only adding fuel to the fire of your desire, and your movements become more frantic, desperate for release, for him to finally give in to your needs. But for now, you’re left to writhe against him, trapped in a delicious state of torment, with him reveling in your submission.
“Such a fucking distraction,” he murmurs, his voice low and commanding, making you feel small and utterly at his mercy. “You want me to make you feel good, but you can’t even wait for it. What does that say about you?”
BSF!Joe shows you how to touch yourself, but gets carried away <- Click!
“You—you can show me?” you stammer, a shiver of anticipation coursing through you as Joe comes up behind you, his strong hands pulling you effortlessly into his lap. The heat radiating from his body envelops you, making your heart race. “Do you want me to show you?” he asks, his voice a low, sultry murmur that sends a thrill down your spine. You know your answer even before you bite your lip and nod, a rush of excitement flooding your veins.
You watch, breathless, as his fingers trail up your thigh, skimming over your soft skin and leaving a trail of fire in their wake. “I can show you, baby,” he promises, his voice thick with desire. You feel a mix of eagerness and apprehension, but the warmth of his body against yours is intoxicating.
Somehow, this moment had come to be. It all started when you awkwardly admitted that you didn’t know how to touch yourself. Joe, your best friend, had looked at you in shock, disbelief flashing in his eyes. “Like… have you never done it?” he asked, incredulous.
“I mean…” you mumbled, your cheeks flushing a deep crimson. “I have, but it doesn’t feel…” The implication hung heavily in the air, and Joe’s smirk widened, a knowing glint in his eyes as he took in your embarrassment.
And that’s how you found yourself here, nestled in his lap, the air thick with tension and unspoken desire. Joe was slow with you at first, his fingers teasingly circling your clit, gathering your arousal to ease you into this new sensation. Each gentle stroke made your breath hitch, and a moan escaped your lips, signaling to him that this felt good.
“Just like that,” he instructed, his voice steady yet husky, an undercurrent of urgency threading through it. “I want you to remember this so you can do it yourself later.” His fingers danced over your sensitive skin, a delicate tease that made your heart race.
“Joe… that feels amazing,” you breathe, biting your lip as he continues, the tension in your body mounting with every stroke. “I’ve never felt like this before.”
His fingers dipped lower, sliding into your dripping cunt, and you gasped, brows furrowing as you looked up at him, wide-eyed and breathless. “Just relax, baby,” he murmured, his eyelids heavy with lust, his cock pressing against your back, but he seemed focused solely on you. “Let me take care of you.”
Nodding as you give in to the sensations coursing through you. Your body instinctively begins to move, rocking against his hand, craving more of that sweet pressure.
“Curl your fingers—like this,” he directs, demonstrating with his own hand, his voice low and commanding. A whimper escapes your lips as you feel a wave of pleasure wash over you. “Feeling good?” he asks, his gaze intense as he watches you closely.
“Yes! S-so good, Joey. Please—” You can’t help but plead, the urgency in your voice thick with need.
“Please what, doll?” His teasing tone only heightens your desperation, igniting your desire.
“D-don’t stop, please!” you beg, your body arching against him as he continues to work his fingers deeper, his thumb expertly circling your clit.
“Of course not,” he replies, his smirk turning wicked. “I’m just getting started.” The way he looks at you—both possessive and tender—makes your heart race even faster.
As he speeds up, the coil in your stomach grows tighter, each thrust of his fingers pulling you closer to the edge. Your pussy clenches around him, and he can feel every throbbing pulse, every desperate squeeze. “You’re so fucking wet,” he breathes, watching intently as his fingers glide in and out, slick with your arousal. “Holy shit, I didn’t think you could be this needy.”
With each thrust, you can hear the squelching sounds of your arousal mixing with the soft gasps escaping your lips. “Joe, it’s too much,” you whimper, your body shaking as the pressure builds.
“No, it’s not,” he insists, his eyes dark with lust, almost feral in their intensity. “You can take it.” He watches you intently, as if you were the most precious thing in the world, and the weight of his gaze sends another shiver through you.
“Please, I’m so close,” you whine, your breaths coming in desperate gasps as you grind against his hand, chasing the high you crave.
“Good girl,” he praises, his fingers working faster and faster, pushing you toward that precipice. “Gonna come? Can feel you squeezin’ m’fingers,”
Before either of you knows it, the pressure builds to an explosive peak. You squirt, an uncontrollable wave of ecstasy crashing over you, soaking his pants and the sheets beneath you. High-pitched moans and squeals spill from your lips as your body jerks, your release cascading in waves.
“Oh–Fuuuck,” Joe groans, his jaw dropping in awe as he watches your cunt gushing around his fingers. Not once did he slow down; he was entranced by the sight of you, completely lost in the moment, your cries ringing in his ears.
“Don’t stop, don’t stop!” you plead, riding the wave of pleasure as it engulfs you, the world around you fading away, leaving only the two of you, tangled in a whirlwind of lust and discovery.
As the climax crashes over you, your body shakes uncontrollably, and a surge of warmth spills from you, drenching Joe's fingers and splattering across his thighs. The unexpected intensity of your release sends you reeling, the sensation washing over you. Your juices soaking through the fabric of his pants and pooling on the sheets beneath you.
The sound of your slickness squelching around his fingers is intoxicating, the wet sounds of pleasure that echoes in the room. You can feel the warmth of the mess beneath you, a sticky reminder of your surrender, and the sight of it sends another pulse of embarrassment through you, but it’s quickly eclipsed by the overwhelming satisfaction coursing through your body.
“Look at this,” Joe murmurs, his breath hitching with a mix of awe and lust as he watches the evidence of your pleasure glistening on his skin. “Made such a mess, baby.” His fingers glide through the slickness, glistening with your arousal, and your cheeks flush deeper at the sight.
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to make myself do that…” you breathe, still trembling from the intensity of your orgasm, the thought of doing it alone suddenly feeling daunting.
“That’s when you call me,” he winks, circling your clit gently to help bring you back down from the high. The sensation is both grounding and tantalizing, your body still sensitive from the waves of pleasure you just experienced.
Cockwarming goes too far <- Click!
“Babe, s'too early,” you groan, your eyelids heavy as you feel Joe’s cock rutting against your ass, the firm heat of him stirring you awake. His hands roam your body, fingers trailing over your curves, igniting a delicious fire beneath your skin.
“Gotta head out for practice soon, baby,” he pouts into your neck, peppering delicate nibbles and soft kisses along your collarbone. Each touch sends shivers racing down your spine, stirring something deep within you. You can’t help but grind your ass against him, instinctively seeking more of his heat.
“Please? Just wanna feel you squeezing my cock,” he begs, his voice husky with desire, fingers sliding between your thighs to tease over your clothed pussy. The sensation sends a jolt of electricity through you, and your breath hitches.
“M'tired, Joey,” you groan, even as your body betrays you, craving his touch despite the exhaustion clinging to your limbs.
“Don’t have to move, ma. Please? Just cockwarm me? Let me sit in you till I gotta leave.” His pleas are laced with desperation, making it hard to say no, and the slickness pooling in your panties is a tempting argument on its own.
With a soft whimper, you nod, slipping your panties off and allowing him to slide into you. The feeling of him filling you up is divine, and you both sigh in relief, feeling achingly full and beautifully squeezed. Warming his cock in your sticky cunt feels almost innocent, but the way your bodies respond to one another is anything but.
You’ve hardly seen each other since the season started, and when you did, the exhaustion left little energy for anything more than simply sweet exchanges. But waking up early today, Joe couldn’t resist. He slowly begins to pull out, then push back in, his tip hitting your g-spot in an agonizingly slow rhythm that sends waves of pleasure coursing through you.
“Oh, fuck,” you gasp quietly, arching your back against his chest, feeling his warmth envelop you.
He chuckles, a low, rumbling sound that vibrates through your skin. “S-shit… y’know… this isn’t cock—oh god… this isn’t cockwarming,” you manage to chuckle between moans, the teasing edge to your voice evident.
“M’sorry, baby. M'sorry,” he pleads an apology, his breath hot against your ear. He can’t help it; he’s too needy, and the way you squeeze him makes it almost unbearable.
“God, you just feel so good,” he murmurs, his voice thick with lust, every push and pull of his hips, the slick sounds of your bodies colliding filling the room, drowning out any lingering thoughts of sleep.
A/N: The last one was inspired by this anon! Thank you for the request! You all can absolutely send me P!Link requests!
Please make sure to leave feedback so I know to keep these coming!
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Summary: You're not sure why Ari doesn't seem to like you, but you two have to work together.
Word Count: Over 2.4k
Warnings: Tension, coworkers, bit of grumpy and sunshine, misunderstanding, future smut, Ari Levinson and he's slightly rude at first (he's a warning, okay?)
A/N: More Beach Fun Nonsense! Hope you lovelies enjoy this intro to my Gin and Bear It AU. @spectre-posts requested bartender!Ari to Go for a Swim (smut) with prompt #13 in bold. TECHNICALLY not smut, but there will be smut in future parts. Not beta read and written on my phone, so any and all mistakes are my own. Please follow @navybrat817-sideblog for new fics and notifications. Comments, reblogs, feedback are loved and appreciated!
You weren't one to brag, but you were good at your job. You showed up on time and stayed late if necessary. Never dropped a tray or drink. Didn't skip out on cleaning or any other tasks. And not only were you attentive with your customers, you showed just enough skin to keep it professional and never went home with anyone at the end of the night. Your work ethic helped you earn the respect of just about everyone at the establishment.
Except for Ari Levinson.
You eyed the gorgeous bearded man behind the bar, your blood rushing faster through your veins. He didn't spare you a glance. He hardly ever did. Everyone else who worked there got a smile from him. Even a smirk. But you? An unimpressed look was what you got on a good day. You chalked it up to you being a new member of the staff, until the barback who started after you received kinder treatment from him.
To be fair, it wasn't like Ari hated you. He didn't seem to particularly like you either. For the life of you, you couldn't figure out why. Maybe there wasn't a specific reason. Some people just didn't mesh well. It didn't stop you from treating him like every other coworker. The two of you had to work together whether he liked it or not.
“Hey,” you smiled as you stopped at the bar and set your tray down. You waited a second for him to acknowledge you, but he kept drying glasses. “Three Jack and Cokes, please.”
That got Ari's attention. He didn't have to greet you, but you both had a job to do. You waited in silence while he made the drinks. He didn't look at you, but you looked at him.
He was in good shape. Great shape, in fact. With his large and somewhat intimidating size, you were surprised he wasn't a bouncer. He was a good bartender though. He wouldn't have a job there if he wasn't.
It wasn't right how attracted you were to him since he never seemed to give you the time of day.
“Thanks,” you said when he set the drinks on the tray for you.
He grunted and turned to put the bottle back.
“You know, we’ve been working together for almost three months. One of these days you may actually carry on a conversation with me instead of answering me with random sounds,” you teased.
“I'm here to work, not chat,” he said over his shoulder, his deep voice sending a wonderful shiver down your spine despite his statement. “You should do the same.”
You sighed when you picked up the tray. “I’m just trying to be friendly.”
Like always.
“Don't need friends.”
It was a bit of an odd statement. You said friendly, not friends specifically. “Aren't Steve and Bucky your friends?” You asked. They were two of the other bartenders. Best friends and good to the rest of the staff. Protective, too, always quick to jump in if a customer got mouthy or handsy.
Ari’s jaw clenched as he faced you, but you didn't cower. “Yeah, they are.”
You may not have cowered under his gaze, but you sure as hell felt small the longer he looked at you. “But you don't want to be my friend,” you said.
“I don't need more friends,” he said dismissively as your stomach dropped. You wished it didn't hurt to hear that and you had to blink rapidly when you felt a familiar telltale burning in your eyes. “Anything else?”
Plastering a smile back on your face that didn't quite reach your eyes, you straightened up. “Noted. We aren't and won't be friends,” you said before you added with more bite than you intended, “And don't worry, Ari. I don't need anything from you.”
He must've noticed the shift in your tone, too, since his jaw clenched harder than before. You walked off before he had a chance to say anything, cursing yourself inwardly at your tone. You shouldn't have let his dismissal get under your skin. Besides, he was right. You were there to work and your customers needed their drinks.
So, why did it bother you so much that Ari didn't want to be your friend? It shouldn't matter. There were lots of people who worked together who never talked or saw each other outside of their jobs. You wished he would've given you a chance, but you’d respect his decision.
For the rest of the night though, you planned to avoid him like the plague.
As your shift went on, you felt Ari’s eyes on you. Instead of looking back at him or giving him a smile like usual, you ignored him or acted like he wasn't there. You didn't stop at his end of the bar, going instead to Steve to get your drinks. For the first time since you started working there, you had Ari's full attention.
And for once, you didn't want it.
By the end of your shift once you wrapped up just about all of your tasks, you were ready to get out of there. “Any plans after closing?” You asked Steve, counting out tips for him.
“I might be seeing someone,” he smiled gently, his gaze flickering to a woman sitting alone at a table.
You raised an eyebrow. Patrons hit on the guys all the time, but it was rare for them to take anyone home. “Well, I hope you have a good time,” you said before nodding over to Bucky who was sitting at the bar, too. “Isn't it your night off?”
Bucky smiled softly. “It is, but my girl should be here in a few minutes. We won't stay long.” His girl has gone through some heartbreak before she rolled into town and the brunette quickly became her knight in shining armor.
“You have fun, too,” you said, sliding off the stool with a sigh.
Steve’s brows pinched. “You okay?”
“I will be,” you said, not wanting to lie to him and pretend you were fine. You also didn't want to get into what was going on. Feeling sorry for yourself didn't do you any good and everything would be okay tomorrow.
“You sure?” Steve swung his head toward Ari. “You think I didn't notice that you haven't been back to that end of the bar?”
You glanced in that direction, inhaling sharply as you met Ari’s gaze. He crossed his as he stared you down, tension as thick as fog. All you could see were the blue of his eyes and you had to look away so you didn't lose yourself.
“Just an off night. Nothing to worry about,” you said, pushing over Steve’s cut. “And I’m out for the night unless you need anything else.”
Bucky and Steve exchanged a look. “Need one of us to walk you out?” Bucky offered.
“No, I’m good,” you said, sighing again when you realized you’d have to pass by Ari to leave. You also had to give him his tips. “Enjoy the rest of the night.”
Ari stood in the same spot as you walked toward him, your heart beating erratically. One day he may not make your heart race like that. “Night,” you smiled sadly, setting his tips down on the bar and walking on.
You grabbed your bag from the backroom and headed out for the evening with your keys in hand, shivering at the slight chill in the air. It wasn't until you were about halfway to your car that you heard footsteps behind you, making you tense up. Maybe you should've had someone walk you out.
“Hey.” It was Ari. “Wait up.”
You stopped and turned to face him with a quizzical look. “Why? Do you need something?”
Ari looked up at the night sky and ran a hand through his long hair, but didn't reply. You were two seconds away from walking to your car when you heard above a whisper, “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?” You asked when he met your eye. “Sorry for what exactly?”
“I was an asshole to you earlier,” he replied, surprising you as he took a step forward. “Been kind of an asshole to you since day one when you've been nothing but friendly.”
“Yeah, I know,” you said. Why did it matter now?
A stricken look crossed his features before he put up his mask again. “Why were you so nice to me then when I was an asshole to you?”
You shrugged, trying to convey that it wasn't a big deal. “Because I had no reason to be rude to you, Ari,” you replied. It was that simple. “I was upset earlier though and I did avoid your side of the bar, but it’ll be fine tomorrow.”
“But-”
“You don't have to like me. You really don't,” you told him, the words bittersweet. “But we do have to work together. So as long as we’re civil to each other, it’s fine.”
You fought the urge to step back when Ari took another step forward. There was usually a bar between the two of you when you stood near him. Up close with nothing between you showed just how large he was. And he smelled good, too, because of course he did. “I never said I didn't like you.”
“Maybe not with words, but your actions kind of said it for you. Seriously, there’s an obvious difference in your demeanor with me versus everyone else,” you pointed out.
“Yeah, there is,” he agreed, his blue eyes full of regret. At least he acknowledged that.
“Not to mention, you just said tonight that you didn't need more friends. Between that and your attitude, the natural assumption is that you don't like me,” you said. What else were you meant to think?
He nodded. “I can see why you’d think that, but I'm sorry.”
Both of you stayed quiet for a moment. You weren't exactly sure what to say. “Okay, well. Apology accepted, I guess. Good night.”
“Wait,” he said when you began to turn away. “Do you really wanna know what I thought about you when you started working here?”
The skeptical look was back on your face. “I’ll admit I'm curious, but I won't just stand here if you’ll continue to be an asshole to me.”
He chuckled. Did you actually make him laugh? “I wouldn't expect you to,” he said, taking a breath. “This might get me fired if you complain.”
“Just say it, please,” you half begged. “Whatever it is, it can't be-”
“I wanted to bend you over the bar and fuck you ‘til you screamed my name.”
You sputtered, an embarrassing sort of sound. It wasn't what you expected to hear. Ari Levinson wanted to fuck you? Since the moment you met?
“You what?” You asked, wanting to hear him say it again.
“I want you and I’ve imagined fucking you all over the bar every day since you started working here. The tables, the booths, the office, against the wall, even in the bathroom stalls,” he spoke, his voice deep and confident as you tried not to whimper. How were you already wet? “But not just that.”
You bit your lip. “What else?”
His gaze softened. “I think about your smile. You have such a beautiful smile.” You did whimper this time. Since when was praise so important? “And how you giggle at bad jokes. And how you sway your hips to the songs you like. And how you're just so fucking kind, even to those who don't deserve it.”
“You like me?” You asked.
“Yeah,” he whispered.
You held up a hand, your head spinning from his confession. “Wait. Hold on,” you said, trying to get your bearings and not throw yourself into his arms. You needed to have some self respect. “You’ve been an asshole to me because you like me?”
Why do men do dumb things?
Ari winced. “Not my smartest plan, I’ll admit, but I thought pushing you away before anything happened was the best move.”
“Why though? Why push me away?” You asked.
He clenched and unclenched his fists. “I don't like to mix business with pleasure. Been there, done that.” It wasn't a secret that Ari was single, but there was a story there. “But that doesn't excuse being cold toward you. And if you’re willing, I’d like to start over.”
You searched his gaze for sincerity and found it. “So would I.”
His expression softened more, relieved. The fact that he wanted to try gave you hope for things moving forward. “And maybe we can grab a coffee at the diner? Just talk?”
Your eyes rounded. Was Ari asking you out? “When? Now?” You asked.
He smiled. “If you’re free.”
You smiled back and shook your head. “Nope. Sorry, Ari.”
Ari's smile fell immediately. “No?” He repeated the word in disbelief. You were in disbelief yourself. “No you aren't free or no you don't want to hang out with me?”
“Any other day, I’d love to have a coffee with you and talk or for you to make good on that promise of bending me over the bar and making me scream your name. But tonight?” You batted your eyes for good measure. “No, I don't.”
“Oh.” Ari blinked and cleared his throat. “I guess that makes sense after how I acted.”
“It makes perfect sense. A quick apology doesn't get you off scott free for how you treated me,” you told him, taking a step closer yourself this time. “So change my mind.”
“Change your mind?”
“Yeah. Let's start over like you suggested and you find a way to change my mind. I'm not saying you have to be overly friendly during our shifts, but treat me a little better. Show me why I should give you a chance and ask me again later,” you answered, gliding your fingers along his forearm once you were close enough. “And I'll still be nice to you. I promise.”
“So, you want me to woo you?” He smirked after a moment, one that nearly made your panties melt. “I can do that.”
You giggled. “I think I deserve it.”
“You do. And my first step in mending things,” he said, offering his arm as he stepped back. “How about I walk you to your car?”
“You may,” you smiled, linking your arm with his. You felt him flex a bit and you almost giggled again, a spring in your step as you walked. One day you’d feel him pin you down with that strength. You’d be patient though.
After all, he promised to woo you first.
How do we think he'll make it up to you? Love and thanks for reading! ❤️