“Hello?” I answered.
“Hi, er, is this Alex?” came a light, girly voice over the receiver. She sounded young, words high-pitched and melodic like a flute.
“Speaking.”
“Hi, um,” the stranger stuttered. “My name’s Tia. Your sister gave me your number.”
Tia. Could it be the same Tia Molly had mentioned last night? Was this a joke? Was Molly trying to pull a prank on me?
“You’re Molly’s yoga friend, right?” I asked, curious. “She mentioned you the other day.”
My head instantly filled with images of a young woman in dark skintight yoga pants, bent over in front of me as she stretched. I tried to imagine what Tia looked like. She sounded young. Maybe a little too young. Her voice made her difficult to place. I bet she had any amazing ass. Maybe she even had a skinny waist that I could wrap my arms around. I licked my lips, enticed by her sudden call.
“Yes, that’s me,” she answered. “Look, I know this is out of the blue, but I was wondering…” She trailed off, like she was thinking of the right thing to say.
“Yes?” I urged, slightly amused.
“I’m in a bit of a bind,” she answered. “My roommate kicked me out and I’ve got nowhere to go. Molly mentioned you had a spare room, and I was wondering if… Ah, shit, you know what? Sorry. This is silly. I shouldn’t have–”
“Wait!” I started after her. “No, it’s cool. I’ve got a spare room if you need it. It’s really alright. I mean, if you’re friends with Molly, I’m sure you’re cool. I can text you the address.”
Tia sighed in relief, the sound sending a chill up and down my spine. I was really starting to like the sound of her voice. I wondered what it would sound like moaning my name.
“Thank you so much,” she said quickly. “I really appreciate this.”
“No worries,” I chuckled charmingly.
“I’ll see you in a few minutes, I guess?”
“Let me know when you’re here and I’ll buzz you in.”
“Thanks.”
You like playing the role of the white knight. You need yourself a damsel in distress.
I snorted at Molly’s comment. I guess I really did have a type.
She’s too smart for you. Tia’s too career-driven.
A sudden wave of determination washed over me, living my chest feeling tight with anticipation. I felt oddly competitive, like I needed to win Tia over somehow. I chewed on the inside of my cheek, deep in thought. How was I going to play this? Was Tia really not the kind of girl to be won over easily? I was about to find out, and I was definitely up for the challenge.
I stood up quickly from the black leather couch and rushed toward my bedroom. I undressed quickly as I entered the en suite bathroom. I stepped into the shower and turned the water on, soaking my hair and my body before lathering with shampoo and soap. From what Molly had told me, I wasn’t Tia’s type. If this was going to work, I was going to need to shock and awe. I rinsed off quickly before stepping out onto the fluffy white bathroom mat. There was a towel waiting for me on the rack, which I snatched and wrapped around my hips without fully toweling off.
Beads of moisture clung to my skin, dripping down my chest and abs. I glanced at the bathroom mirror, admiring my work. There was no denying that I was cut. I worked out every morning for two hours, alternating most days between cardio and strength training. Keeping to a low-carb, high protein diet had resulted in chiseled, but bulging muscles. And it didn’t hurt that keeping this fit made me look extra fine in my suits.
I made my way back out into the living room in time to hear my cellphone ding. I picked it up, delighted to find a message waiting for me.
[Tia] I’m here.
My fingers flew over the screen.
[Alex] Come on up. I’ll leave the door unlocked.
I was surprised at how tight my chest felt, how quickly my heart was pounding with excitement. This was all just a game, and I was more than ready to play. I took a look around my penthouse apartment, noting how the spectacular view over Manhattan would no doubt impress my guest. A few minutes later, three firm knocks shook the front door. I walked down the front hallway and opened it, swinging it wide to welcome her.
And I was left absolutely floored.
Was this really her? Was this goddess lost somehow? Who gave her the right to look as good as she did? I suddenly felt a little ashamed for my state of undress, my do-no-wrong play going straight out the window. Tia was gorgeous. No word of a lie, she looked like she belonged on the cover of magazines. I didn’t know what I expected. The woman on the phone had sounded like a little girl, but the person standing before me was all woman. She had impeccable posture, no doubt thanks to all the yoga she does. Her beautiful long, thick, dark and curly hair draped over her shoulders like a gorgeous waterfall. It framed her face, drawing attention to her captivating blue eyes –blue eyes that are dilated and fully entranced by my form.