X-Treme Measure (4 page)

Shit. I needed to get out of here. I nodded and turned to make my leave. I made my way out of the apartment, and Reighlyn had wrapped her arm around my waist as we walked back to our place.

“I wonder if she’s nice. She looks young. Oh, hey. When is Magen picking me up?”

“She’s your mother, Reighlyn.”

“Daddy, I’m almost nine years old. She hasn’t been my mother since I was like what? Too young to even speak and then she just dumps me like yesterday’s old garbage? No, dad. She was just the vessel.”

Fuck. She must have overheard me. I only ever called Magen that when I got really frustrated with her and talked to my mother or Matt about her. Out of the group at XM, Matt had become a good friend over the past several years.

I closed the apartment door and led her to the kitchen table and proceeded to get the stuff I was going to make for dinner.

“Reighlyn. Babydoll, I know where you heard that from and even though she’s not the best mother out there, she is still your mother.”

“Ha. Yeah. Okay, dad. Why can’t I just get a new mom?”

Somehow that made me laugh out loud. “Baby that would mean I would have to get married and one — I’m not ready for that. Two. Finding someone who could handle all the awesomeness that is you
and
me would be tough to handle for any woman.”

“You’re right. We are quite perfect.”

“But—

“But in a totally humble and non-self-satisfying way.”

“Exactly. You never know though. I might find the girl of my dreams someday and she’ll knock me on my ass.”

“You said ass.”

“Doesn’t mean you need to repeat me, girl.”

“I know. I just like seeing you flustered.”

“Where are you getting these words?”

Reighlyn giggled as she opened her
My Little Pony
backpack and pulled out her homework assignments.

“Reighlyn?”

“School of course. It’s called vocabulary.”

“Oh, joy. You are getting too old for this man, babydoll.”

She shrugged and turned to her school work. She never mentioned to me about getting married or even voicing at wanting a mother before. We had been in our own little bubble for so long, I hadn’t even had time to date. Hell, the only dates I had revolved around work and they weren’t really dates because I got paid to do them. Did Reighlyn really want a mom? With my type of job, it would be a tall order to fill.

I set out to make us a stir fry with rice, veggies and chicken as she did her homework. I haven’t had a girlfriend in all the time I’ve had Reighlyn. Of course I went out every once in a while. There were parties all over Houston and I had hook-ups. I had no problems getting down, but to actually take one of them home and have Reighlyn met them? Nah. I think I would know if I wanted something more than just a one-night stand with a woman. That and most of them just saw me and instantly wanted my body, not even caring if I had a brain.

Yeah, definitely sounded like what a chick would think, but that’s what chicks thought when they saw me. Even the little neighbor girl across the hall. She was flustered and nervous around me and I knew what she saw. Hot neighbor. But she did think about my daughter when I tried helping her. Most would just hope Reighlyn wasn’t mine.

It made me wonder what she was doing right now. Probably unpacking. The little shorts she was wearing riding upward when she bent. Her long blonde hair begging to be pulled and tugged. Those innocent blue eyes curious. Fuck, my zipper was going to permanently etched on my dick if I kept thinking about her. I didn’t know her from Eve. She seemed nice, but that could just be window packaging.

Ashley seemed to like her even though he just met her. And he was gone so he definitely couldn’t watch over Reighlyn. I was so freaking screwed. I hadn’t heard anything back from Matt so I’m sure he wasn’t going to be of any help.

I couldn’t ask the new neighbor, I’m sure Ashley wouldn’t mind it if Reighlyn was over there, but it didn’t sit right with me. That and she was young, she probably a party girl and went out all the time. No way was she willing to watch over Reighlyn.

Bringing Reighlyn with me was out of the question.

I made our plates and we set out to eat. She was half way through when she asked, “Who is going to watch me while you’re at work?”

I set my fork down. Still not even sure myself. “I don’t know, honestly. I can’t leave you here by yourself either. Your grandma is gone until next weekend.”

“Yeah, she told me when she called last night. She had extended her cruise. I want to go on a cruise.”

“Maybe someday, Gran, you and I will take one together. I’ve never been on one either.”

“You could ask our new neighbor. She seemed nice.”

“We don’t know her, Reigh. I’m not going to entrust your care to some stranger.”

“She introduced herself to you. Did she seem strange to you?”

“Reighlyn, you’re pushing. Yes, she did introduce herself, but I don’t know her. What if she kidnapped you?”

“From next door?”

“She has a car. She could take you away and then ransom you.”

“And would you pay?”

“Of course I would. I’d pay whatever price. We’re getting off the topic.”

“No, we’re not, Dad. You know you’d have to call in if you can’t find someone, and since the vessel isn’t coming, as
usual
, why don’t you have faith and just ask her. She’s really pretty.”

That she was. I already had a pretty good imagination and when every blood cell rushed down to my dick, the fantasies had come alive. Didn’t mean I was going to act on them though. She was too young. Definitely too young for what I wanted to do to her.

I shouldn’t even be thinking this way! I was such an idiot. She would freak out if I told her exactly what I would like to do to her. And all that beautiful, long, blonde hair. I could wrap it around my fist, holding it tight as I pushed into her with hard, heart-thumping thrusts.

Fuck. Get that shit out of your head, Danny.

“Pretty, yes. But does she have a brain to go with those looks?”

Reighlyn giggled her little girl laugh and it settled the rapid beat of my pulse. I loved her girly laugh. She was growing up so fast, and I wasn’t ready for that.

“She might. Do you have anyone better to ask?”

That fact was, no, I didn’t. I had friends, but they were bachelors. No way was I going to allow them to watch my little girl. I wasn’t that desperate. That and they lived too far away for me to go drop her off and then pick her up.

“You know, I hate it when you get the last word in. One of these days, I’ll win.” That was one of our games we played. Who could get to the point quickest and have the last logical answer.

“Fine. I’ll ask her, but if she says no, then I guess it’s just me and you, kid.”

She rolled her eyes and finished the last bit of her food. I’d have to call in. Which wouldn’t hurt us, but I hated calling in last minute. Not when our set was already prepped. I was the lead runner.

“What are you waiting for, Daddy? Go already. I can tell you want to.”

My eyes crunched with irritation. “And how can you tell that?”

“You like her. You never go out of your way to help the women around here and you did for her.”

“She was moving in. It was the right thing to do, Reighlyn.”

“Whatever you say, dad.” Then she got up and took our dishes to the sink. She was definitely growing up too fast.

She started washing our plates and putting them in the dish water as I went ahead and made my way out the door, grumbling about silly little girls and their silly imaginations. It wasn’t the first time I’ve said that. But never had it revolved around a woman.

Reighlyn laughed and said, “Like daddy, like daughter.”

“Yeah, well just do those dishes. Just like it should be.”

Her face went from smiling to little girl fury. One thing I taught my daughter, or am teaching her; Self-sufficiency. I’ve always taught her to take the lead in the things she does and how to own up to her mistakes if she makes them. One thing I instilled in her was she might be a female, but a lot of females could do things a man could and sometimes even better than they could. That some men think it’s a woman’s place to be in the kitchen, and to not bother trying to best them. Well, I taught her to think fuck that. Well, I didn’t say that, but it was something similar. I wasn’t going to raise a docile child. I wanted her to be independent and do things for herself.

“Love you, babydoll.” I winked at her and said, “Stay here, please.”

I closed and locked the door before walking the short way until I got in front of their door. For some strange reason, my heart was pumping double time in seeing Moriah.

Such a unique name. Moriah. I liked the way it sounded. A unique name for a pretty woman. Reighlyn was right about that. She was pretty. Beautiful in that fresh, girl-next-door way. I rang the doorbell, almost praying she wouldn’t come to the door, but then hoping she would so I could look at her. Take another long look at her. Let her image get engrained inside of my brain once more. I faintly heard music inside, so I knocked on the door a little harder. I pretty much banged on it after another few minutes went by and the music instantly went off. I heard shuffling inside before she twisted—didn’t she lock the door after we left earlier? Twisted it open.

I was going to have to tell her to take proper precautions—she twisted and pulled the door open to reveal her in a cropped tee that ended just below her tits and a pair of Lycra shorts that stopped at the top of her thighs.

Fuck, my dick got thick and hard and my mouth was practically watering. She looked fucking delicious. There was a thin sheet of sweat dotting her hairline, between her plump tits and a little slipping down her bare tummy. Jesus. Someone shoot me.

“Why the hell you dressed like that?”

I couldn’t help it. I looked each way, praying no one saw how undressed she really was.

“Sorry?”

I couldn’t deal with her being scantily dressed and out for everyone to see. Ah, shit. This was so messed up. But I just couldn’t help it.

“You’re barely dressed! Get some clothes on!”

She slammed the door in my face and fuck. That wasn’t what I wanted. I knocked again and she opened it, a look of female fury I had just left behind was presented right in front me. And on Moriah, it only made my dick want her that much more. She was hot as hell all worked up and furious.

“Sorry. What are you doing?”

“Working out.”

I tilted my head to the side. “Working out?”

“Yeah. I was working out when you knocked. Is there something you need, Daniel?”

Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The way she said my name had me desperately wanting to shift and adjust the erection I was sporting. If she looked down, there would be no surprise. I wanted to hear my name on her lips in a totally different setting.

God, what was wrong with me? I was going insane. A pretty face did not get this kind of reaction out of me. It never did. I controlled every part of my body. Even
that
. And he wasn’t giving a shit right now as it stood to attention begging this chick to play with it.

“Sorry. Ha. I’m sorry.” Fuck, now I was fumbling. “I am sorry that I’m even asking and I know you probably have plans for the evening and if you say no, I totally don’t have a problem with it. I mean, you don’t know me, you don’t know Reighlyn, so a no would probably be best right now, but she told me I should ask you.”

A soft finger reached high to stop the diarrhea mouth I had and hell her finger was soft against my lips. She circled my mouth before a secret mischievous smile tilted her lips. I could see the crop top had risen up and the bottom swells of her cotton covered breasts played peek-a-boo.

“Daniel, is everything okay? What do you mean she told you to ask me? Ask me what?”

My shoulder slumped and I knew rejection was close, but I went ahead and killed it.

“I work nights, and my mother, Reigh’s normal sitter, is out of town and Reighlyn’s mother is a total flake and hasn’t come for like she was supposed to so Reighlyn thought I should try asking you. I’ve tried the other neighbor’s and you’re my last resort. Could you watch her tonight?”

That definitely wasn’t what I thought he might be asking. When he came up to the door, I had been in an intense work out session. I hated wearing baggy clothes because of the sweating I did so I wore spandex shorts, sports bra and a crop top. Why go to a gym, when I can watch work-out videos from YouTube and with simple weights, I did just fine. I couldn’t tone my body worth a crap, but I kept my hour glass figure as best I could. I wasn’t in shape to go up and down stairs, or running. But I did work out. Why was I so insistent I work out? Well, when you had a mother in a beauty pageant, you’re never good enough or too chubby. And yes, it’s a twisted way of seeing things years later but it stuck with me. I’m happy with my body. I just want to make sure I stay happy with it.

To find him at my door and the way he was looking at me, well. He looked like he was in agony.

“Are you okay? You look like you’re in pain.”

“I am.”

“Huh? Do you need to sit down?”

After he commanded me to get some clothes on, I knew he was going to be a complete dick. As if he could tell me what to do. Like he was better than me.

Then the nerve of him asking if I could watch his daughter because he had nobody else? That should have been an equivocal no.

“No, I'm—uh. Good.” The smile looked forced and he shifted his feet before continuing. “I know its last minute, and normally I wouldn't ask a complete stranger. Hell, I shouldn't have even bothered. Sorry I wasted your time.”

He looked pained and aggravated at the same time as he turned around, heading back to his place. His voice though was still deep and sexy and rattled my nervous system sending sharp spikes of arousal straight to my womb. Gah! Moriah, get a grip.

“Daniel! Wait. Look, I don't know what's wrong, and I'm sorry you’re in a bind. Um, I don't have plans. I was going to stay here and probably unpack my belongings. If you really don't have anybody else, I'll watch her.”

“How old are you?”

“Twenty-two.”

“Thank God.”

His shoulders visibly relaxed as he ran his fingers through his unruly, dark-brown hair. The strands stuck out as he rubbed his neck. I saw a flush run up the sides and it made me wonder if he thought I was attractive. I wasn't even going to ask him to confirm it though. That would be awkward. This would just be a favor for a neighbor. He was in a bind. He helped me bring my things in, so I guessed I owed him.

“Okay. Well, since you helped me bring my junk in, I would be happy to return the favor.”

His eyes widened with shock as if he couldn't believe I agreed to watch over his daughter. It made me wonder if he trusted everybody he ever met. I was a complete stranger to him and his little girl. I would be scrutinizing the person I was leaving my child's care in. And of course, right on cue, his eyes narrowed and he began looking me up and down again. This time though there wasn't any slow perusal. This was calculating and measuring.

“She can be a handful.”

“Sir—

“Whoa. Please dear God, don't call me sir. I'm only thirty.”

“You're still older than me, Daniel. It's a sign of respect.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

I couldn't stop the snort that flew from my lips. “I can handle difficult. I'm a waitress; I can handle anything you throw at me.”

“Stairs seem to be your weakness.”

“That's not right. Sir.”

This time Daniel’s lips tilted into an amused and sexy smirk. His dark eyes seemed to trail over my head, down to my feet then back up again. Did his nose just flare? I don’t know but the feral look on his face made my thighs squeeze together. Then he spoke, and the rough, deep tumble of his voice made my breasts feel heavy and my nipples tighten as it made my stomach flutter.

“I can get used to that.”

Then looking over me again, his eyes stayed on the flat softness of my stomach and I wanted to squeeze my thighs even tighter. I could feel the moisture gathering between my legs. I felt my stomach contract and he looked back up at me, his smile cocky and full of confidence on his angular face. “I really do appreciate this. It is an overnight job. I will be home at 6:45 am.”

“Right on the dot, huh? Aren’t you punctual?”

His smirk made his eyes light up and he nodded. His already broad chest became the focal point of my view. I figured he blocked the doorway so he wouldn't be embarrassed by talking to a half dressed woman.

“It's okay, Daniel. You don't have to feel embarrassed. I know I don't look presentable. But I wasn't expecting company.”

“Embarrassed?” There was a twinkle in his eye I didn't understand. “Moriah—(
lord, please always say my name like that
.) I'm not embarrassed.”

“Then why are you standing in the middle of the doorway?”

“Are you seriously asking me that question? You are barely dressed, Moriah. Any man could walk by and see you and think all sorts of things.”

“Like what things?”

“Don't be naïve.”

“You know. I'm doing you a favor, buster. I don't need a father or brother figure to demean me.”

He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Thank God I see you as neither. I need to leave by eight. It's 6:30 right now. Have you eaten dinner?”

I do not understand men. I'm sure I never will. Maybe that's why I don't have a boyfriend. Also, I had high standards. A lot of men I've met weren’t adequate boyfriend material. And I wasn't going to put out for anyone. I had goals. Even though looking at Daniel sure did make me wish I knew how to take my own pleasure. Not that I knew how anyway, but I could imagine. I read romance, when I got the chance. This was the kind of guy you saw on book covers.

“I ate, yes. I can be over by fifteen till. Does that work?”

“Yes. Perfect. Thank you, Moriah.”

“You can call me Riri. My friends do.”

“That sounds like a child's name, Moriah. I'll stick with that.”

“
Oookay
. You don't like Danny?”

He shrugged his shoulders but the crunch of his nose suggested otherwise. Daniel then.

“I'll see you then. Thank you.”

“It's okay. You're welcome. Favor for a favor.”

Daniel nodded and I could see he was about to turn when instead he grasped the handle, whispered in a low, sexy, harsh growl, “Don't walk outside like this. Ever.”

Then he closed the door behind him and I was left staring at the door.

That no good, little—I was not going to be told what to do. I should rebel and wear my other crop top over. Not that I would; I wasn't that bold. I hadn't even thought about how I looked when I opened the door. It's not like I knew anyone. And if they were friends of Ashley’s then they would know he wasn't at home. I didn’t care what anyone thought about me.

I didn't even look out of the peep hole. I would from now on though. I was way underdressed for company. I knew that. But my workout had been intense today. I had fallen off the wagon a few weeks ago, stress eating because of finals. I knew I would pass but the stress had weighed heavily. I wanted to stay in the top five percent in my classes. A lot of other students didn't like me. Or they tolerated me but most didn't speak to me. I didn't even have a study group. I felt like an outcast, but I never let it get to me.

I didn't have many friends and when I suggested Daniel that he should call me Riri, evidently that hadn’t been a bright idea. But I figured if I was going to watch his daughter, maybe we could be friends.

Guess not. I went back to my room, grabbed my Queen of Diamonds leggings, panties, a red top that hung off the shoulder and a black camisole with a built-in bra to go underneath before making my way into the bathroom.

Suite was more like it. This room looked like it was from a mansion or fancy hotel. A big, spacious bathroom, with his and her sinks, shower stall, jetted tub—which I was dying to try out—and then a toilet but the handle to flush it wasn't on the commode. It was a string chain which a wooden handle you had to pull.

I laid my clothes on the counter and started the jet tub. I took the contacts from my eyes and although I could sleep with them in tonight, I usually didn’t. I wore my glasses until I fell asleep and until I had to leave to wherever I had to go.

I should take a quick shower, but that tub was calling me. When Ashley gave me the tour, he told me what I had to do to use everything and I was fascinated. I let the tub fill to the right height and started the jets before stripping myself of the sweaty clothes.

Tossing them in the hamper, I stepped in the bath, and I slowly sunk down until the only noticeable was the tops of my knees and face.

Oh. Em. Gee. This was heaven.

I spent the whole time getting massaged and pruned and it was the best bath I have ever had the pleasure of taking in my life. And I can take as many as I wanted as long as I lived here.

Looking on my phone, it was already seven thirty and if I wanted to be punctual, I needed to get ready and across the hallway. I finished scrubbing myself clean until I was pink before stepping out.

I wrapped a towel around me and replaced my contacts with my glasses. It was evening time so there was no use in using my contacts.

I was mostly blind. Everything was a blur when I didn’t wear contacts or glasses. I found myself in front of the mirror that took up the entire bathroom and looked over my naked body.

I wasn’t ashamed of it. I was naturally small. I had wide hips that came from my Hispanic ancestry which made my butt bigger. But the size ten I wore, I liked. I didn’t want to be thinner, and I hoped no bigger. I exercised every other day just to keep up my strength. Running, and going up stairs had never been my forte, but living here I knew I’d take the stairs every once in a while.

Unlike a lot of girls I knew, I wasn’t bare down there. The blonde curls covered my vagina and my thighs touched. My breasts were a little big. A solid C-cup, in which I could probably fit into a B if I wanted the twins to pop out with a little cleavage. Since I had no intention of trying to show them off, I didn’t bother wearing sexy underclothes.

I couldn’t afford sexy clothes unless they came from Target or Wal-Mart. I wasn’t choosey. The one thing I loved most was my hair. It was long, almost to my waist. I had bangs, which weren’t in style, but I usually fixed them into a poof when I put my hair up to work. My hair wasn’t heavy. It was thin, silky and straight.

My face wasn’t bad, I thought I was pretty. My eyes were my other favorite feature. Dark blue, just like my mothers. The only good thing I got from her was my hair and eyes. My father was Hispanic and his side had the body. Too bad I didn’t know any of them. They pretty much disowned him and my mother when my father kept borrowing money from them and never paying them back. They clumped me in with them as if I was no good white trash just like my mother I didn’t look like them, tall, tan and able to speak Spanish. Heck, I didn’t know anything except what I learned from high school and I’ve already forgotten most of it.

I wondered what they would think when I didn’t come home for the summer. I didn’t plan on calling. They weren’t all that loving and only wanted the small amount of money I usually sent them. That won’t settle well with them, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t be their cash cow anymore. They lived off my dad’s disability check and the welfare check my mom got each month. Even though he wasn’t really disabled anymore. He could find work. I just ended up with two lazy parents. It’s a miracle I’m alive now and that child’s protective services didn’t come to get me when I was a child.

I took one last look, then hurried to put my clothes on. I pushed my rectangle frames on my face, and spritzed some fruity body spray on my shirt. Walking into my room, I grabbed my child psych book, my iPad and shoved it into my pink flamingo backpack with my notes. Grabbing my phone and keys, I checked the time as I hurried towards the front door. Seven forty-four. Just enough time to get there. It seemed like he was a prompt kind of guy, so I wasn’t about to lower his opinion of me by being late.

I locked the door behind me and after double checking it was locked I walked across the cement and knocked on his door.

He was also freshly showered as he opened the door. His damp hair was black and I could see water droplets hanging on the edges. He was just in a pair of jeans, unbuttoned—he was killing me—and shirtless with a leather cord around his neck with a pewter cross that held the Claddagh symbol in the center. His arms stretched on the frames of the front door and he looked over my outfit, lingering on my feet that were painted red, and my black flops. Then he moved his eyes upward, smiling at the design on my leggings, before making his way up the rest of my body.