Game Junkies ~ A Love in the City Romance by Dellani Oakes Part 8

There was a tap at the door. Colby peered through the peephole, it was the FedEx guy, Everett. He opened the door.

"Yay, my phone! Thanks, man. You're working late, aren't you?"

"Not really. Since this was the last package of the night, I brought it by on my way home." Everett lived in the same complex, the next building over.

"Thanks, man. You want a beer?"

"I have to get home. It's our fifth anniversary. Got us a sitter and gonna take my lady out."

"Cool. Have fun. And tell Dina I said happy anniversary."

"Will do." He waved and trotted over to his building.

Delighted to have his phone again, Colby tore open the package. He was able to salvage the SIM card from his old phone and immediately accessed his text messages. There were seven, two each from Stan and Gavin and three from Avery. He looked at these first.

"Sorry," she said in one message. The next was a series of silly faces. The third was simply an emoji of a phone.

Colby took that as a hint for him to call. He dialed her number, waiting for it to ring.

"You got your new phone!"

"Yeah, about five minutes ago. Everett brought it by on his way home."

"That was nice of him. I'm sorry I was such a freak earlier."

"Not a problem. I pushed and I shouldn't have."

"No, it's okay. A girl likes a little bit of pushing...." Her voice drifted away. "Growing up sucks."

Her complete change of subject caught him off guard. Colby paused a moment, trying to figure out if she wanted a reply.

"Yeah, it does." His own youth hadn't been terrible, but it hadn't been stellar either. "Everyone has problems, Ave. Some are worse than others."

"I was lucky, though. I had you. You don't know what that's meant to me. I could always count on you. Even if there were other girls from time to time—I mean, I get it. I wasn't in a place where I wanted a boyfriend. I wanted to be one of the guys. Because being a boy meant safety. My dad wouldn't have beaten a boy. And Mr. Polk wouldn't have—he wouldn't have tried anything with a boy."

"And a boy could fight back better than you and your mom."

"Yeah. I really like you, Colby. Oh, hell—I love you. And I want to—to be—with you. It's just...."

"It's just that you're not ready for the wild humping, huh?" he chuckled.

"Idiot. But yeah. I want other stuff—the kissing was—nice."

"Just nice? I think I'm offended. I brought my A game. Those were my prime moves."

"More than just nice." Her voice softened. "And it does do something to me when you kiss me," she whispered huskily.

"Oh yeah?" He let his voice drop to a whisper too. "Like what?" he teased.

"It makes me wet."

Avery hung up so suddenly, Colby jumped, nearly dropping his phone. Stunned, he flopped onto his back, staring at the stains on the ceiling. His thoughts spun out of control. He was still trying to figure out the dynamics of the conversation when his phone rang. It was Gavin.

"So, how did it go?" he asked as soon as Colby answered.

"Not bad, I guess. Kind of confusing. But pretty good."

"Okay—clarified it—not at all."

"I'm still trying to figure it out. When I do, I'll let you know."

"Start by telling me what happened after you left."

"I went to Avery's and gave her the game time."

"And?"

"I kissed her."

There was a stunned silence.

"Hello? Gavin?"

"I'm here," was the choked reply. "Kissed—like Kissed?"

"Lips meet, tongues dance—yeah. And she showed me her tits. Well, she had her shirt on—"

"Should you have told me—any of that? I swear, I'm scarred for life. I heard tits."

"She's a girl. Do you expect her not to have breasts?

"I know she's a girl, somewhere under all that baggy shit. So, did you cop a feel?"

"Gavin!"

"Chill, bro. You brought it up. I could've gone my whole life not knowing that."

There was another pause.

"So, were they nice?"

"I'm not going to discuss Avery's assets."

"They're assets now, not breasts?"

"Excuse me for not talking about my girlfriend's chest with my perv friend."

"Your WHAT? Dude, if you're jerking me around, I will fucking kill you in your sleep."

"That came up after she showed me her—um.... Yeah."

©2021 Dellani Oakes

Game Junkies ~ A Love in the City Romance by Dellani Oakes Part 7

Colby pulled her to him, pressing his hips against her. One arm went around her, clutching the small of her back. The other went around her shoulders as his fingers snaked through her hair. Lips parted, she waited for him. Colby lowered his mouth to hers, inhaling her scent. Once again, he smelled kiwi and watermelon. Hesitating, he tried to convince himself it was really happening. It seemed surreal until their lips touched. Tentative at first, he explored carefully, worried that he'd scare her away. Avery increased the intensity of their embrace, surprising him. His body warmed to her touch as he deepened the kiss and rubbed his hips hungrily against her.

Avery could feel Colby's excitement. His throbbing erection pressed against her belly, making her hot. Her own passion surprised her nearly as much as it did Colby. This was something she'd wanted and waited for longer than she could remember.

"God, I want you, Avery," Colby gasped, his lips barely leaving hers. "I've loved you forever. Ever since you jumped those guys at school."

Avery laughed, tugging at his hair so he'd look at her. "Took you long enough to admit it."

"Make love to me...."

"Whoa, Cowboy! You think that buying me game time and admitting your love is getting you in these panties today? Not gonna happen."

"Oh, come on! You showed me your tits. You practically threw yourself at me."

"Threw? Yeah, that would be the part where I let you see my chest, then you went primal on me. The only throwing there's gonna be is me throwing you out, if you don't settle down."

"But you love me."

"So, it's a given I should fuck you? Really."

"Why not? We're here. We love each other."

"Maybe I want a little romance first. Maybe I want to be treated like—oh, I don't know. A girlfriend? For a little while before I let you hump me."

"It's not like that and you know it." He brushed her garishly dyed hair behind her ear. "Having sex is a wonderful thing. It's the culmination of a relationship. When two people care about each other...."

"Yeah, yeah. I know. It's peachy keen. Excuse me if I don't get all girly over the idea of having you thrust your mighty spear into my soft and tender lady parts."

"Dammit, Avery! Don't you feel anything when I kiss you?" He pulled her close once more, holding her by the belt loops of her jeans. His lips descended and he kicked it up a notch, giving her his best moves.

Avery shivered. She had to admit that his kiss was fantastic. It did feel good to have him touch her, kiss her, caress her body. It was hard to get around the walls she'd erected to protect herself. Her father had beaten her. Mr. Polk, her evil foster father, had tried to molest her. Had it not been for Colby, he would have been successful. There was no blame here, not with Colby. He was sweet, kind, delicious. Her body cried out for him, but her mind kept putting on the brakes.

God, if he keeps kissing me like that, I'm gonna.... She wasn't sure what, but she knew she would probably regret it the following day.

"You should go," she said, shoving him abruptly away.

Colby's eyes were glazed over, desire clouded his brain. His erection pressed painfully against the zipper of his baggy jeans. He wanted sex. He'd never hurt Avery on purpose, but he was almost to the point of no return. The primal part of him struggled to be released.

"You need to go, Colby."

"What?"

"Go." She made walking motions with her fingers. "Take that bad boy for a long, hot shower." She cupped his penis in her hand, rubbing none too gently.

Colby shuddered, gasping as her fingers massaged his testicles. "Stop! Don't do that!"

"Why? You gonna jizz yourself?" She rubbed again, her fingers kneading him.

Groaning, unable to move, Colby stood in her living room waiting for the moment when he embarrassed himself and came in his pants.

"Avery," he whispered. "Do you know what that does to a man?"

She didn't reply. Her hand lingered on his crotch, but the massaging stopped.

"Cause unless you want me to throw you on the couch and drill your brains out, you need to stop that. I want our first time to be better than that." He spoke quietly with a calmness he didn't feel and couldn't maintain.

Her fingers drew quickly away from his pants. "Sorry, Colby. I was trying to help."

Colby shuddered again, shaking his head. "Unless you're gonna follow that up with a hand job—don't go there." He walked awkwardly to the door. "Later."

Without a goodbye, he let himself out and headed to his car. The chill night air helped him gain control of himself a little, but he knew a long, hot shower was the only cure for what ailed him. That, and some well applied soap. Afterward, he dried off and dressed warmly. He kept his heat low to keep his power bill down.

It had surely been a day of surprises. He wondered why it had taken him so long to admit to himself that he loved Avery. Probably because she had never shown any real interest in him—or had she? Yes, there were little things that should have told him, but he hadn't been paying attention. Whenever the four of them went out, Avery insisted on sitting next to him. She said it was because the other two ate like pigs, but Colby realized that it was her way of keeping him close.

©2021 Dellani Oakes

Game Junkies ~ A Love in the City Romance by Dellani Oakes Part 6

"No! No, they're perfect. It's just—I never saw them before. They're—nice. Really, really nice."

Avery eyed him speculatively. "Thank you."

Colby's fingers tingled. He wanted to touch her badly, but sensed such a move wouldn't be terribly welcome. He had to tread lightly with Avery. There was a lot of hurt in her life and he wasn't going to jeopardize their friendship because he was horny.

"You okay, Colb? You look like you're gonna hurl."

"I'm good.... Really good. I'm fantastic."

"You only babble when you're nervous. What's up?"

"You have really nice breasts," he blurted. Shock at what he'd said made his mouth drop open. He couldn't move, couldn't speak.

Avery raised an eyebrow, her pale face showing little of her thoughts. Her fingertips tapped his slack jaw, closing his mouth. "Okay, Cleatus. Thank you for the assessment. I believe we covered this already."

"I—uh—thought it bore repeating." It took a moment, but he got himself pulled together.

"What is wrong with you tonight? You're acting all weird, like a guy.... One too many root beers. You're cut off, dude."

I want kiss you. I want to hold you close and make love to you.

He didn't say any of those things aloud, but he was sure Avery could read it in his expression. If nothing else, she'd notice the happy dance going on behind his zipper. Avery always knew when the guys were sporting boners. It was uncanny and disconcerting.

"Are you on something? I've never seen you like this, Colb. It's freaky."

"No. I'm sorry." Colby sighed.

He had so much to say and had no idea how to say it. A firm believer that actions spoke louder, he pulled his flagging courage together and kissed her. It was a quick kiss, hardly thought out. Their noses collided, their teeth clicked. He held her awkwardly, bent over to reach her, their chests close, their hips at least six inches apart. Embarrassed by his actions, he shoved her away, backing off a step or two so she couldn't hit him. Avery stared at him.

"What was that?"

"I think it was a kiss."

"You think? I thought I was being mauled by a polar bear or something."

"Sorry."

"That's all you've got? That sucked, Colb. Seriously. Got game?"

Chuckling, he ducked his head. "Not so much."

"You don't get the hot chick at Game Junkies if you bring it like that." She shook her head in mock sympathy.

"I don't want the hot chick at Game Junkies. I—I want you."

"I beg your pardon?"

"I want you. In every sense. Perky boobs and all." Colby dodged, flinching away from her, afraid she would laugh or hit him. He wasn't sure which would bother him more.

"You're serious?"

"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"

She punched him hard in the gut. "Took you long enough to admit it, you asshole! What does a girl have to do to get your attention, doofus?"

He shrugged, grinning shyly. "Show me her tits?"

Avery punched him again, harder. Her fists pummeled him. Colby grabbed her hands as the blows landed faster and harder. One fist nearly collided with his testicles. To prevent serious injury, he grabbed Avery, turning her so her back was to him, clutching her arms to her sides.

"Will you stop that," he begged. "That hurts!"

"I know it hurts! I want it to hurt. Now you want me? Now you're interested? Do you know how long...?"

"How long what?"

Tears sprang to her eyes, falling on his hands and arms. "Do you know how long I've been in love with you? And asshole doesn't even notice. Doesn't even see...."

"I did. I thought you didn't want me. I thought maybe everything with your dad and Mr. Polk...."

"Don't say that bastard's name!"

"I just thought with all that, you might not want—me. I love you, Avery. I think you're smart and beautiful...." He eased his grip on her and she stopped struggling.

"You have a funny way of showing it. You don't talk to me like a girl. You don't treat me like a girl."

"And would you like that? I hold doors for you, I help you out of the car. I buy you coffee and game time. What do you want me to do, that I don't already do, Ave? Tell me and I'll do it."

She took his face in her hands, pulling his mouth close to hers. "Kiss me. And I don't mean that lame excuse for an oral hygiene exam. A real kiss."

"I can do that."

"Prove it, Thatcher." Avery stepped closer. "Let's see what you've got."

©2021 Dellani Oakes

Game Junkies ~ A Love in the City Romance by Dellani Oakes Part 5

Colby handed her the game card. She thanked him with a nod and genuine smile.

"I'll pay you back tomorrow. I have to hit an ATM."

"Don't worry about it, Ave. Consider it an early birthday present."

Avery giggled. "My birthday's in May. It's November."

"I said early, right?"

"Thanks, Colby." She punched him affectionately on the shoulder. "Want a beer?"

"Sure. Get you one?"

"Please."

He visited her kitchen. It was small, but immaculately maintained. Avery might not have much, but she took care of what she had. He opened two IBC root beers and set one on a coaster next to her. None of their friends drank alcohol. Beer in Avery's household was always IBC. Both her parents were alcoholics. Her father had beaten her and her mother on a regular basis. He left when she was 12. Her mother threw her out when she was 16. The foster system broke down, placing her in a neglectful home with bitter, vicious people. What her parents hadn't scarred, they had. Now, five years later, she was still trying to work through it.

"Did you appropriately ogle the tits?" Her tone was bitter and resentful.

"Don't you mean inappropriately?"

Avery shrugged and took a sip of her root beer.

"I did not. I didn't want to wait in a long line to buy your game time, so I had Kevin ring it up. Then I left."

Dark brown eyes gazed deeply into his blue ones. "Thanks."

"You're the only one on my team who's any damn good."

"I rock," Avery conceded.

"You do." He paused, sipping his root beer while he tried to get his thoughts in some kind of order. "Ave, what Stan did today was thoughtless. And not just him—me and Gavin too. We take you for granted. I'm sorry about that."

Avery gaped at him. "Where'd all that come from?" She slapped him upside the head. "Are you the girl now?"

"Ow! No. I just figured—we don't always consider your feelings. I mean, you are a girl...."

"Really? Am I? The minuscule tits weren't a dead give away?" She gestured to her breasts with cupped hands, eyes wide.

"They aren't minuscule. They just look small because you wear your shirts so baggy."

"So, now I'm not fashionable? Thanks for cheering me up, Colby."

Sighing, he rolled his eyes. "I can't win. I'm trying to apologize for being a douche, and you turn it around on me."

"No, the douche would be Stan. You have nothing to apologize for."

"I might have ogled a little."

"You may ogle, but not drool. Was there moisture involved?"

"There was not. I did dry ogling only."

"Then I forgive you."

They toasted with the root beer bottles, laughing loudly. Avery offered him a game controller and they played for a couple hours. Around 5:00, they took a break and fixed dinner. It was simple, hot dogs and baked beans, but it was filling. The companionship was the important thing. Being with Avery was always a bright spot in Colby's day.

Whenever something good happened, the first person Colby called, was Avery. When her day had been hell, Avery came to Colby and together they worked through the problem, making her feel better. They had been good friends since middle school. Some older, bigger boys jumped Colby between classes. Avery came to his rescue. Half the size of the attackers, she jumped on their backs, pummeling them with her fists until they ran off. They were so ashamed of being slapped around by a tiny, little girl, they left Colby alone after that. The two became inseparable. It was Colby who helped Avery when her dad left. He was the one who convinced the social worker to make a surprise visit at the foster home, and remove her from the hell she was enduring.

"You really think my tits are okay?" Avery asked as they washed dishes.

Colby eyed her chest from a purely scientific standpoint. "I dunno, Ave. I can hardly see 'em. You cover up so much, a guy can't tell one way or the other."

Annoyed, she grabbed her sweater and pulled it off. Underneath, she wore a white tank top. It was obvious that she wasn't wearing a bra. Colby examined her breasts without touching them. They weren't as small as he'd previously thought, and perfectly formed, smooth and firm. The nipples pressed against the thin fabric of her shirt.

Colby's body reacted alarmingly to the sight of Avery's perky breasts. Suddenly embarrassed, he almost dropped the plate he was holding. A strange sound escaped him, something between a gulp and a gurgle. Avery glared at him as she struggled with her sweater.

"I had no idea I was deformed."

Game Junkies ~ A Love in the City Romance by Dellani Oakes Part 4

"Like the girl in Wonderland," Alice corrected politely. "Can I help you with something?"

"Yeah. My buddy and I were gonna go grab a coffee in a little while. What to come with?"

"I'm meeting someone, thanks."

"You sure? We're lots of laughs."

"Positive. Did you need something?"

"No, we're cool. Thanks anyway." There was a pause. "So, for real? Hot damn, my brotha!"

A few minutes later, Gavin appeared at Stan's side. He carried a Game Junkies bag and a soft pretzel.

"Where's Colby?" Stan asked him.

"I dunno. Hitting on your woman?" Gavin shrugged as he sat down. Taking a bite of his pretzel, he didn't notice Stan's glower right away. "I'm kidding. Lighten up, huh? He bought some game time for Avery and he's taking it to her. Just you and me, kid."

"Just me. I'm going out with Alice soon."

"Okay, but we can hang until you meet her."

"But you're not going with us."

"I get it! You've made it abundantly clear you don't wish my presence. You afraid I'll scare her off?"

"Maybe a little, yeah. You have this way of trying to take over and organize things. I want a nice, casual coffee with Alice, so maybe she'll go out with me again—and eventually I'll get laid."

"For the first time in your life!" Gavin clapped excitedly, laughing like a little girl. "I'm so proud!"

Stan punched him hard. "You know it's not like that. Just because you're twenty-two and a virgin."

"I beg your pardon. I've had more than one partner."

"Your left hand doesn't count."

Gavin chuckled. "You think Avery's still pissed?"

"Probably. We were shit to her."

Gavin was stunned into silence. Stan was the least perceptive person he knew, yet he'd just given insight into their relationship with Avery.

"She'll forgive us. She always does."

"She might," Stan said, glancing at his watch. Five more minutes. "I really hurt her feelings. What was I thinking?" He shook his head sadly.

"She hugged Colby."

"No, she didn't."

"She did." Gavin nodded, taking another bite of his pretzel. "He told us when he got back."

"Nuh-uh!"

"You have to work on that failure to pay attention problem. Speaking of which, it's two o'clock. Go have a nice coffee. Get laid, marry the girl, have babies...."

"It's just a cup of coffee," Stan protested.

"It seems like that," Gavin said. "But underneath the cappuccino and the latte, you're really saying I want to see you naked."

Laughing, Stan nudged him. Gavin chuckled.

"Have fun. Drink a cup for me, huh?"

Gavin watched his friend walk back to the Game Junkies store. The corridor had cleared now and only the usual cluster of patrons browsed in the store. Shaking his head in wonder, he walked toward his car.

Colby drove carefully on the icy roads as he headed to Avery's apartment. He'd bought her game time as an excuse to go over and see how she was. He knew that the events at Game Junkies had really upset her. How had they all been so blind to her feelings? He liked to think of himself as being observant, but he'd been just as bad as the others. They considered Avery a fixture, someone who was always there.

He parked in the guest spot for her apartment and walked up to the door. The complex was just a breath from being in a bad neighborhood. Small and shabby, the residents looked after one another. Avery had an extended family all around her. The single mother of three across the yard, that was her big sister. The elderly gentleman next door—her grandfather. The lady on the other side, whose blinds twitched when he knocked on Avery's door, her nosy aunt. She knew Colby and the others by sight. Her interest flagged when she saw who it was. Smiling, she waved as she closed the drapes.

The door opened, the chain on. Avery peered out. She'd been crying and her makeup was smeared. Black rivulets from her mascara and eyeliner cascaded down her cheeks. Streaks of eye shadow covered her hands.

Colby smiled down at her. "Hey, you left without your game time. Can't have my favorite Call of Duty buddy missing in action."

Avery tried to smile. Her lips twitched a little before trembling again.

"Can I come in, Ave?"

She shut the door so she could remove the chain. The door drifted open as she walked away. Colby locked the door behind him, setting the chain in place once more. He followed Avery into the living room. The tiny kitchen opened on the right, the single bedroom to his left. A shabby couch stood in the middle of the little, rectangular room. The only other piece of furniture was a handmade entertainment center that the boys had put together to hold Avery's flatscreen TV and game console. Milk crates were stacked nearby. Inside, in neat, alphabetical rows, were her games, CD's and DVD's. She had slowly collected these over the years, buying them from yard sales and thrift shops.

©2021 Dellani Oakes

Game Junkies ~ A Love in the City Romance by Dellani Oakes Part 3

Gavin raised a questioning eyebrow. Stan barely noticed. They were the next in line to go into the store and he was even more jazzed than before.

"Where'd she go?" Gavin asked.

"I dunno. Home?"

"What did you do?" The accusation was clear in Gavin's tone.

"Honest to God, I don't know. I gave her a hug."

"You hugged Avery?" Gavin made a sound of disbelief. "Unlikely."

"She was upset. Actually, she hugged me." He wasn't sure how to express himself. He knew what needed to be said, but not how to do it. "We need to start treating her more like a girl."

Gavin's other eyebrow joined the first. "Excuse me? Ms. Woman's Lib wants to be treated like a female? Since when?"

"Since I don't know. She'd never say it, but it would make her feel good if a guy looked at her the way we're all looking at the girl in there."

"If she had something worth looking at...."

Colby punched Gavin in the stomach. His friend doubled over. Grabbing his collar, Colby hauled him over, growling in his ear. "Try to be polite, huh? Compliment her once in awhile."

"You don't," Gavin gasped. "We all kinda treat her like a guy, cause she acts like a guy."

"Then we all need to work on it. She's one of our best friends, and we ignore her. What does that say for us?"

"Our turn!" Stan bounced around happily. Having been chosen to enter, he took a deep breath and walked through the door, grinning. To his friends' amazement, he slowed his steps and stopped jumping like a jack rabbit.

When Stan stood up straight, he reminded Colby of a Viking. His broad shoulders and blond hair hovered above the crowd. The blonde behind the counter looked up, focusing on the lanky young man. Her eyes widened and she smiled. Stan grinned, waving at her like a little kid. The girl giggled, looking away to deal with her customer. Like a huge puppy who hasn't figured out how to move, Stan capered over to the counter, leaning on it casually.

The girl glanced at him, smiling again. Her attention reverted to her customer once more, but her eyes kept drifting to the tall, blond man who stood silently, watching her every move. When the customer had concluded his business, Stan cut to the head of the line, standing directly in front of the girl. Others protested, voices rose in anger.

Stan turned, glaring down at them. The men were average height, some decidedly overweight, others scrawny. Simply by virtue of his size, Stan could intimidate them. He frowned, raising his chin in challenge. The others backed off like lemmings approaching the cliff edge. Turning his back on them, Stan smiled down at the girl. She was tall for a woman, probably 5'10", but still nine inches shorter than he.

"I'm Stan." He held out his hand.

Hesitantly, the girl took it. "Alice."

Stan's lips brushed her fingertips and she shivered, gazing up at him with huge blue eyes. Stan wound his fingers with hers, continuing to caress them.

"You seeing anyone, Alice?" he murmured against her skin.

"N-no."

"May I buy you coffee after you get off work?"

"S-sure. Thanks. I'm off at two."

Stan glanced at his watch with a nonchalant flick of his wrist. "I'll see you at two," he replied. His lips rested lingeringly on her fingers before he let go of her hand.

Alice watched him as he walked away without a backward glance. Her blue eyes followed his blond head through the crowd and out the door. Her next customer had to tap on the counter to get her attention. Clearing her throat, she smiled and went back to her job.

Stan made it to the fountain in the center of the mall before he collapsed on a bench. His friends were still in the store ogling Alice. He'd done it! He'd actually asked her out. He found it hard to believe he'd had the balls to talk to her, let alone ask her for coffee. His nerves caught up with him and he exhaled slowly, trying not to completely freak out.

His phone rang, playing Darth Vader's theme from Star Wars. Gavin's ringtone.

"Where are you, man?"

"The fountain."

"What're you doing there? I thought you wanted to see the hot chick."

"I did. I asked her out for coffee."

"You did not." Gavin's tone was scathing and derisive.

"I did! I'm meeting her at two when she gets off work."

"Oh, right. So, if I asked her what she's doing after work...."

"She'd tell you. Ask her."

He heard Gavin speaking to someone. "Hey, hiya. What's your name?"

"Alice," Stan heard faintly in the background.

"Pretty name, Alice. Like the chick in Resident Evil."

©2021 Dellani Oakes

Game Junkies ~ A Love in the City Romance by Dellani Oakes Part 2

 "Is it my fault she's built like a guy? And she's short—like Napoleon short. Like Munchkin short, like Oompa Loompa...."

"We get it!" Colby said, smacking Stan in the head. "I'm going after her," he told Gavin. "I can't go in, but at least I can tap on the door."

Gavin nodded. "Your funeral."

Colby squared his shoulders, his T-shirt and hoodie binding slightly across his back. Shifting uncomfortably, he walked after Avery. As he approached the door, he could hear hollow sobs echoing in the tiled room. He tapped on the door. The sobbing stopped. The door opened and Avery's pale face peered up at him.

"Stan's an ass," Colby said calmly. "And every man on the face of the Earth is a slave to his testicles. I'm sorry."

Avery tried to smile. "Yeah, well.... You guys never seem to have that problem around me. I'm one of the gang." Her lips trembled as she cast her eyes downward.

Colby wanted to hold her, but wasn't sure she'd let him touch her. Avery was very standoffish—given her family situation, which wasn't great, he could understand her attitude. She was afraid to let anyone close for fear they'd leave her like her father had—like her mother.

"You're the smartest, prettiest member of the gang," he murmured.

"You're saying that to make me feel better." Avery sniffed, wiping her red nose with a paper towel.

"Could be. Or it could be that it's true."

Avery punched him, grinning a little. "Thanks. I notice you're the only one who came after me."

"Stan can't be trusted on his own, with that kind of stimulus around. He'd explode from testosterone overload and take half the mall with him."

She giggled, nodding. "It would get ugly."

"Very. Total chaos, end of the world part one. The usual weekend at the mall."

Slipping out the door, she leaned into him. Colby took that as a sign he could put his arms around her. He hugged her shoulders. Her arms went around his waist, her head on his chest. One, small, firm breast pressed casually against his ribs. Colby gasped, feeling a little flutter that he'd never felt in Avery's presence. She hugged him closer and he could smell the scent of her hair—fresh like kiwi and watermelon. His arms tightened around her as she snuggled against him, and he had the strong urge to kiss her.

Two girls walked up, stopping in front of them, smiling. "Y'all need a moment?" the blonde asked with a grin.

"Sorry." Colby loosened his arms, moving away from Avery slowly.

She let go reluctantly, stepping away to allow the girls access to the bathroom.

Giggling, the girls went inside. Colby snickered, his eyes lingering on them as the door closed.

"We'll be the topic of conversation."

"No doubt. Girls like that have nothing else to talk about."

"It's cool," Colby replied. "Shall we?" He held out his arm in a gallant gesture.

"Thank you, Kind Sir," she replied with a little bob of a curtsy. "It never happened," she whispered as they approached their friends.

Colby stopped her, his hand on her arm. "Why?"

"Do you want them to know?"

"I don't care if they know I hugged you, Ave. Friends do things like that from time to time."

"I meant the tears," she grumbled. "But the hug too, now you mention it."

She moved away from him, hands deep in her jacket pockets. Colby stopped her again, turning her to face him.

"You put this big wall around yourself, Avery. If you ever let someone in...."

"No more the touchy feelies," she snapped, pulling away. "I get enough of the psycho-babble from my therapist."

Avery stormed off, heading toward the outer door to the mall. Colby was torn. He didn't know if he should follow her or go back to their friends. The unhappy young woman won out. He raced after her, nearly colliding with a woman with a stroller and an old lady doing a power walk around the mall's interior.

"Avery! Avery!"

She heard him, but didn't stop. Instead, she sped up, hitting the door to the outside at a run. Hopping around obstacles, Colby tried to follow her, but he ran into a fat man with a covered cup of Coke and some nachos. Food and liquid flew in a perfect arc around them. The fat man sputtered and yammered loudly, gesticulating wildly as Colby tried to apologize. One huge fist snagged his shirt front, dragging him to the counter.

"You're gonna buy me some more," the fat man bellowed. "You ruined my lunch!"

Colby slapped a ten dollar bill to the man's chest and wriggled out of the threatening grasp. Doing his best to lose himself in the mall traffic, he worked his way to another door. He knew Avery was gone. Reaching into his pocket, he realized he didn't have his phone.

Great! Fucking great! Angry and disgusted, he headed back to his friends.

©2021 Dellani Oakes

If you want a good, steamy read, "A Night In Daytona Beach" is a good buy and a good read ~ One Night in Daytona Beach: #17 in Tirgearr Publishing's City Nights Series by Dellani Oakes

 

He hadn't seen her in 10 years, but there she was, dressed in black leather, straddling the Harley. Draven Wick is back home, on a break from filming his vampire themed TV show, when he spots Jamie Humphrey at a Bike Week raffle. The love of his teen life, Draven never thought he'd see her again. Rekindling their romance after 10 years is the easy part. Unfortunately, Draven has been blamed for the death of a notorious bike gang leader. Staying ahead of the police, and the biker gang bent on revenge, takes Jamie and Draven to the brink of disaster.

Who writes a strip tease scene with Marilyn Manson playing in the background? Author Dellani Oakes that’s who! This is by far my favorite book she’s written yet! . . . the story is thrilling with bikers, sex and witty dialog that most romance/erotic books lack. IMHO. If you want a good, steamy read, "A Night In Daytona Beach" is a good buy and a good read. ~ Christina

• • •

"Full Throttle" engine pounding mystery & Sexual Encounters of the Best Kind!
One Night in Daytona Beach is a whirlwind adventure of skimpy, black leather clad Biker Chicks and badass Gangs enjoying Biker Week in the famous Florida locale. Author Dellani Oakes’ novel will take you into the underground world of motorcycle gangs and hot, raw sex. This story is “Full Throttle” engine pounding mystery and sexual encounters! ~ Sleepless in San Carlos

• • •

I thoroughly enjoyed this well-written, steamy, fast paced novel! Having been in Daytona Beach during the approach of Bike Week, it was fun to read a story set there; full of motorcycles and nasty bike gangs, intertwined with the romantic reunion of two former lovers! Ms. Oakes is a talented author with a gift for description and dialogue, and I look forward to reading more of her stories!! ~ Sherrill S. Cannon

Game Junkies ~ A Love in the City Romance by Dellani Oakes Part 1

Welcome to Game Junkies, where all your electronic dreams come true. For Colby and his friends, today is a game changer (no pun intended). They see things through a different light, and learn there is more to life than video games.

The line at Game Junkies extended out the door and down the mall corridor. Colby Thatcher stopped in his tracks, blue eyes wide behind round, wire-frame glasses. He'd never seen such a mass of humanity unless it was a new game release. He stared a full minute before he realized someone was waving at him. Three of his friends stood in the line. Two were grinning widely, smart phones clutched in their hands.

"Wait until you see!" Stan Fitz said, hopping excitedly in place.

Stan was nearly seven feet tall. His lean, gangling frame moved oddly, like he was a marionette guided by a puppet master on crack. He giggled, waving his phone under Colby's nose.

Gavin Carter eyed their friend with forbearance, but his dark brown eyes twinkled.

The only one who didn't show enthusiasm was Avery. Dressed in skinny jeans, sporting a lip ring, nose ring and multiple earrings, she hunched over with her hands in her pockets. Her blue streaked red hair escaped from under her Rasta striped beanie. She looked bored and somewhat disgusted.

"If I didn't have to be here, I wouldn't," she snarled before Colby could speak. "But I have to get game time. They're doing buy one get one because of the upcoming game launch." She elbowed Stan who had hopped on her foot. "These two are impossible."

"We saw her first," Stan said. "Then all these others showed up." He frowned, jerking a thumb at the line.

"Maybe if you hadn't sent a massive text to everyone on your phone, it wouldn't have happened," Avery growled. "It's your own damn fault. Get off me!"

She elbowed Stan again. Given the difference in their heights, the sharp jab got him in the nuts. Gasping from pain and surprise, he backed off. Avery smirked, satisfied that she had disciplined him appropriately.

"Nicely played," Gavin said with a smirk of his own. He and Avery exchanged a knuckle bump.

"What's going on?" Colby appealed to Avery.

Tossing her head, setting her hoops rattling, Avery glared up at him. She was tiny, maybe five feet tall if she stood up straight. Her slender frame and small breasts, in combination with her baggy shirts and bulky jackets, often got her mistaken for an adolescent boy.

"You really don't know?"

"You live in a cave?" Gavin asked him. "We sent you the text."

"Phone's dead," Colby said. "It got sent through the wash again. I'm waiting for a replacement."

Avery grabbed the sleeve of his hoodie, pulling him toward her. She opened a text message with her thumb, holding it in front of his face. The screen was inches from his nose, so he squinted at it, blinking rapidly. Eventually, a fuzzy image appeared. The first detail he took in was a mass of curly, blonde hair. Next, a tight yellow T-shirt spread lovingly over the most luscious breasts he'd ever imagined. That held his attention nearly 30 seconds.

Avery waved the phone in front of him and he took in the rest of the image. A beautiful young woman stood at the counter of the Game Junkies store, her blonde hair loose around her shoulders. Her T-shirt fit her curvaceous form like it had been painted on. Her chest swelled beneath it and her body tapered to a slender waist, flaring to voluptuous hips. Colby grabbed the phone from Avery, taking in further details as he stared. The phone left his eager fingers as Avery snatched it from him, tapping him on the forehead.

"Men! God, you're so disgusting!" She eyed Colby's zipper, sneering. "You too, I see."

"Me too, what?"

Avery pointed indelicately to the fact he had an erection. Apparently, so did his friends, though he hadn't noticed.

"Sorry, Ave. We're guys." Shrugging, Colby ran his fingers through his spiky, black hair. "So, who is she?"

"Who cares?" Gavin said. "She's hot!"

"She's average," Avery corrected. "Though the tits are impressive." Her eyes traveled to her own less than impressive chest and she sighed heavily.

Colby could see disappointment in every line of her tiny frame. Though she'd never admit it, she longed to be the hot girl that men lined up to see. An unexpected lump rose in his throat as his gaze shifted from the phone to her face. Swallowing hard, he forced a smile.

"It's cool, Ave. She's probably dumb as a brick."

Her smile faltered and her lips twitched downward. "I need game time," she whispered. "Or...."

Colby reached out to her, but she jerked away and ran down the corridor toward the women's restroom. Colby took a few faltering steps after her. Gavin grabbed his hood, tugging him back.

"Can't follow her in there," he reminded his friend. "She'd beat you blind."

"You had to make a big fuss," Colby reprimanded Stan.

"She's hot!" Stan exclaimed, gesturing toward the store. "I want to see her naked and have her babies." He continued extolling the mystery woman's virtues, loudly.

"Shut up!" Gavin tugged Stan's shirt front until the tall man was bent almost double to be at eye level with his shorter friend. "You upset Avery. When she gets back, you're going to apologize."

"What? Why?"

"Because you're an ignorant, ungrateful, inconsiderate prick," Gavin said in a matter-of-fact tone. "And because she's our friend, and you made her feel bad."

©2021 Dellani Oakes

Crash Into Me is Over ~ What's Next at Writer's Sancuary?

Crash Into Me is over, and it's time for a new book to begin! In the past, I've asked my readers what story they would like me to share next. Since that's not gone so well, I'm just deciding now. I have a book I've been wanting to share for quite some time. I hope that everyone will enjoy it.

If asked where the inspiration came for this story, I honestly don't know. I wrote it quite a while ago, and don't think I ever had a clear picture of where the idea came from. The characters of Colby, Avery, Stan and Gavin just popped into my head and waited until I told their story.

Game Junkies, like my other books, has some explicit scenes, but I will do my best to mark them. I hope you enjoy my newest offering to the Reading Gods. Below is a short excerpt from Chapter One.

CHAPTER ONE

Game Junkies by Dellani Oakes

The line at Game Junkies extended out the door and down the mall corridor. Colby Thatcher stopped in his tracks, blue eyes wide behind round, wire-frame glasses. He'd never seen such a mass of humanity, unless it was a new game release. He stared a full minute before he realized someone was waving at him. Three of his friends stood in the line. Two were grinning widely, smart phones clutched in their hands.

"Wait until you see!" Stan Fitz said, hopping excitedly in place.

Stan was nearly seven feet tall. His lean, gangling frame moved oddly, like he was a marionette guided by a puppet master on crack. He giggled, waving his phone under Colby's nose.

Gavin Carter eyed their friend with forbearance, but his dark brown eyes twinkled.

The only one who didn't show enthusiasm was Avery. Dressed in skinny jeans, sporting a lip ring, nose ring and multiple earrings, she hunched over with her hands in her pockets. Her blue streaked red hair escaped from under her Rasta striped beanie. She looked bored and somewhat disgusted.

"If I didn't have to be here, I wouldn't," she snarled before Colby could speak. "But I have to get game time. They're doing buy one get one, because of the upcoming game launch." She elbowed Stan who had hopped on her foot. "These two are impossible."

"We saw her first," Stan said. "Then all these others showed up." He frowned, jerking a thumb at the line.

"Maybe if you hadn't sent a massive text to everyone on your phone, it wouldn't have happened," Avery growled. "It's your own damn fault. Get off me!"

She elbowed Stan again. Given the difference in their heights, the sharp jab got him in the nuts. Gasping from pain and surprise, he backed off. Avery smirked, satisfied that she had disciplined him appropriately.

"Nicely played," Gavin said with a smirk of his own. He and Avery exchanged a knuckle bump.

"What's going on?" Colby appealed to Avery.

Tossing her head, setting her hoops rattling, Avery glared up at him. She was tiny, maybe five feet tall if she stood up straight. Her slender frame and small breasts, in combination with her baggy shirts and bulky jackets, often got her mistaken for an adolescent boy.

"You really don't know?"

"You live in a cave?" Gavin asked him. "We sent you the text."

"Phone's dead," Colby said. "It got sent through the wash again. I'm waiting for a replacement."

Avery grabbed the sleeve of his hoodie, pulling him toward her. She opened a text message with her thumb, holding it in front of his face. The screen was inches from his nose, so he squinted at it, blinking rapidly. Eventually, a fuzzy image appeared. The first detail he took in was a mass of curly, blonde hair. Next, a tight yellow T-shirt spread lovingly over the most luscious breasts he'd ever imagined. That held his attention nearly 30 seconds.

Avery waved the phone in front of him and he took in the rest of the image. A beautiful young woman stood at the counter of the Game Junkies store, her blonde hair loose around her shoulders. Her T-shirt fit her curvaceous form like it had been painted on. Her chest swelled beneath it, and her body tapered to a slender waist, flaring to voluptuous hips. Colby grabbed the phone from Avery, taking in further details as he stared. The phone left his eager fingers as Avery snatched it from him, tapping him on the forehead.

©2022 Dellani Oakes

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