Blurred Lines Read online

  Like the pageants of a few years before, more often than not her dates would end with her eating ice cream with her father while she cried into his arms. He’d patted her hair and told her not to worry. There was someone out there for her and she was worth a million of those idiot boys anyway. Her father didn’t want her to be unhappy, but secretly he’d been glad that at least he didn’t need to worry about her getting accidentally knocked up.

  Soon, just the idea of going on a date was so nerve-racking that Tiffany simply stopped saying yes and resigned herself to a life of celibacy – much to Sara’s dismay.

  “We just have to find you the right guy, that’s all,” was her friend’s eternal mantra. “One day, Tiff, one day. And then,” Sara would make an exploding motion with her hands, “kapow! You’ll blow his brains out with your sexy moves and killer bod.”

  “Right,” Tiffany would always answer, hugging a pillow to her chest despondently. “Kapow.”

  “Don’t give up, honey. Trust me. We’ll find you someone.”

  It wasn’t that Tiffany didn’t want to have a love life or, even more, a sex life. She did. She wanted to feel that “kapow” that Sara was always talking about. Which was another reason she’d gotten into writing romance novels: it allowed her to experiences things she’d never be brave enough to do in real life.

  After her first year at the design school, Tiffany had been fed up with the competitive environment and gossipy, back-stabbing students. She’d stayed in touch with Sara and, when she confided in her that she was thinking about quitting design studies, Sara had told her that she should start writing romance novels like she was.

  “Oh my God, you’ll love it, Tiff. I’ve been doing it all year to help make ends meet. This college shit is expensive, you know.”

  “Do you think so?” Tiffany had waffled. “I don’t exactly know what you are talking about.”

  “Ha!” Sara had laughed. “Don’t give me that oh-so-innocent bull, Tiff. I know that under that shy façade you’re hiding a sex-crazed beast. I’ve seen your browser histories, girl. You watch more porn than my teenage brother.”

  “Sara—” Tiffany had blushed.

  “It’s nothing to be ashamed of, Tiff. You deserve to get off just as much as the rest of us – arguably more so, ‘cause you’ve never had anyone do it for you. You deserve a good time. More power to you, I say.”

  Tiffany had smiled into her phone. “Thanks, Sara.”

  “I’ve got your back, honey. But, my point is, you’re like the queen of sexual fantasies. That’s all you know. I bet you would make an amaaaaaaazing romance novelist. You know exactly what’ll get us going.” Sara still drawled the word “amazing” like she had in high school. Hearing her say it always made Tiffany smile.

  “You think so?”

  “For sure. Besides, you always got great marks in English. Did Mr. Luniw publish one of your short stories in the yearbook in our senior year or did he not?”

  “He did,” Tiffany agreed, remembering their gangly high school English and his terrible comb-over. He’d once told her that she had an excellent ear, though at the time she’d thought he’d meant her actual ear and had blushed fire engine red. Sara had later explained that he meant an ear for writing.

  “Look, I’ll put you in touch with my publisher, okay? No pressure. I’m just saying I think it’d be a good fit. Besides, this way you don’t have to talk to people. I know how much you hate that.” Tiffany could hear Sara’s grin through the phone and laughed.

  “Okay. Put us in touch. I’ll give it a go.”

  “That’s my girl! Live a little, Tiff. For heaven’s sake, you’re a single woman in New York! Enjoy yourself!”

  Tiffany had started her first contract the next week.

  In her novels, her heroines did things she could only imagine. And it wasn’t just that they rode wild horses or managed multi-billion dollar corporations – they also had amazing sex. They had sex with men, with women, with both at once. In fields, lakes, four-poster beds, in every imaginable position. Tiffany’s characters had tried everything. All of Tiffany’s sexual fantasies – and, like Sara had guessed, she had many – were funneled into her stories. It made for a thrilling read, but a boring life.

  Not that Tiffany minded all that much. It was safer to experiment in fiction than in real life. In her stories, no one ever spilled coke all over themselves at a spring dance. Not to mention, the editing made for some great bedtime reading. Tiffany always knew that she’d written a good scene if it made her want to get off when she was reading it over.

  Her stop approached and Tiffany shook herself free of her memories, hopping off the subway and taking the stairs to ground level two at a time. Going to the gym was something that she’d gotten into the habit of during her one year of design school: her student card had gotten her free access to the college fitness club. Once she was no longer a student she’d had to find a private gym, but she didn’t mind. She loved working out. It made her feel strong and fearless – not at all like her usual timid self.

  Not only that but gyms were full of the most gorgeous men Tiffany had ever seen. And the best part was that she didn’t have to worry about talking to any of them. The gym that she had joined was pretty serious and everyone was preoccupied with their training regimes. They never tried to chat Tiffany up like had sometimes happened at the college gym. Even better, they didn’t notice – or at least they pretended not to notice - when Tiffany watched them sweat and strain while she did her own workout.

  Watching these huge men work out was one of the major perks of going to the gym. She loved the way their sculpted muscles flexed and bulged as they worked their already beautiful bodies to perfection. There were two men in particular that Tiffany just couldn’t get enough of: Jamie, a tall rower with incredible abs and enormous hazel eyes, who could usually be found doing heavy lifting in the weight room in tight-fitting wife beaters that only accentuated his beautiful abs, and Sam, a blond, blue-eyed boxer who looked like he could lift her in one hand. Sam and Jamie often spotted each other in the weight room, and Tiffany did her best to be around when they were working out together – it always got her imagining what else they could do together. Often, it made her wet just watching them bench press, and she was glad that everyone was sweating so much that a little extra moisture went unnoticed.

  All in all, it was the best of all worlds: Tiffany got a good workout, she got to enjoy the sight of sexy men sweating all around her, and she didn’t have to worry about embarrassing herself. Plus it gave her lots of fodder for her novels – as well as her own private fantasies.

  Tonight she took her time warming up, doing some extra yoga poses and stretching her sore back while admiring a tall brunette stretch his glutes. When the brunette left for the change rooms, she finished up her stretching and popped her ear buds in, putting on her favorite workout playlist as she went to find a free elliptical.

  The ellipticals faced the windows and, even though it wasn’t full of glistening men, Tiffany enjoyed the view over the city. The gym was pretty high up for Brooklyn and she loved following the swishing headlights of the cars as they swerved in the streets below or watching the lights go on and off as people moved through their homes in the apartment block kiddy corner to the gym. With a dancy pop tune playing in her headphones, it was like her own personal silent movie and, before long, she was totally in the zone, her head bopping along to the song’s rhythm.

  When her warm up was done, she got off the elliptical, humming the refrain of the last song. She was still buried so deep in her own thoughts that she didn’t notice Jamie until she’d nearly walked right into his chest. Her nose to his pecs, she could clearly make out the line of his nipple piercing through the thin white fabric of his signature wife beater. She swallowed, looking up.

  “Hi,” her crush said, smiling down at her. He’d already been working out and a lock of his curly black hair was stuck to his forehead with sweat.

  �
��H—hi,” Tiffany answered, tugging out one of her earbuds.

  “You come here a lot, don’t you,” Jamie stated rather than asked.

  “Umm… yeah, I guess. Three or four times a week.” Tiffany didn’t know what was going on. Was she dreaming?

  He nodded, still smiling. His teeth were extra white against his dark skin. “Yeah, we’ve seen you around,” he gestured behind him and Tiffany was horrified to see Sam standing back a few paces, watching their exchange. When he saw Tiffany looking, he waved, then used his cut-off t-shirt to mop sweat from his forehead. Tiffany swallowed hard.

  “You look pretty serious about your training,” Jamie continued, “so we thought we’d invite you to join the new CrossFit class. It’s just starting today. We think you’d really be into it.”

  “I—uh, yeah, I love CrossFit,” Tiffany answered, still unsure of what was happening to her.

  “Great!” said Jamie. “It’s just about to start. Come with us.” He took her by the arm, his large, square hand easily closing around her bicep. Tiffany stiffened at the contact, unsure if she should run or throw herself at him.

  In her head, Tiffany could hear Sara’s voice encouraging her: Go on, girl! This is your chance! Look at this hunk. God, I bet he has an enormous di— Tiffany blushed and tried to ignore her inner monolog.

  If Jamie noticed her hesitation he didn’t show it and lead her across the gym to the CrossFit area, picking Sam up en route.

  “I’m so glad you’re coming with us,” said Sam as he joined them. “Jim, the instructor, is a great guy. I trained with him at another gym a few years ago and he really helped me amp up my workout.”

  “That’s great,” Tiffany replied faintly, as they arrived at the back of the group. Her heart racing as she stood dwarfed between these two stunning men, their arms pressing against hers. Damn, girl, said her inner Sara appreciatively. Just turn around and grab one. Or better yet – both! Tiffany bit her lip and tried to concentrate on what the instructor was saying.

  “I’m Sam, by the way,” the blond whispered, holding out his hand for her to shake. Tiffany looked up and tried not to fixate on his full, sensual red lips.

  “Oh right,” Jamie smacked his forehead. “I totally forgot about intros. Just, like, grabbed you and ran. You must think I’m a total nutcase. My name’s Jamie.”

  “Tiffany,” Tiffany replied, shaking each of their hands in turn, enjoying the way her fingers disappeared inside their strong palms.

  “So, I hope you all have a great time and let’s get to it!” The instructor had just finished his introductory talk and Tiffany had missed nearly all of it. She pulled a face.

  Looking around, Tiffany realized that she was the only woman in the class. Everyone else was a man – a big, buff man. She swallowed and suddenly felt very out of her depth.

  “So, if everyone could partner up, we’re going to start with weighted front and back squats,” Jim, the instructor, clapped his hands and everyone began separating into partners. But there was an odd number and Tiffany found herself left standing with Jamie and Sam. The two men grinned at her.

  “Looks like we’re in this together,” said Sam.

  “I—I guess so,” Tiffany replied, a tremor in her voice. Oh, God, what had she gotten herself into?

  “Why don’t you start and we’ll spot you, okay?” Jamie smiled encouragingly.

  Tiffany swallowed and nodded silently. Jamie led the way to their station, where an enormous barbell lay waiting.

  “Is the weight okay for you?” Sam asked.

  Tiffany nodded, not trusting her voice. Hesitantly, she reached down to pick up the barbell. She wasn’t worried about the exercise – she’d done CrossFit workouts before – but never with two beautiful men watching her.

  “Here, let us help you get into position,” said Jamie as he and Sam effortlessly lifted the barbell and laid it across her shoulders. Sam’s hands lingered on her bare back and she nearly dropped the barbell.

  “Thanks,” she mumbled, ducking her head to hide her blush.

  But once she was in position, muscle memory took over. Bracing her feet against the floor, Tiffany lowered herself into a squat, keeping her core muscles engaged and her chest broad and lifted. Unbeknownst to her, Jamie and Sam were watching her ass as she squatted, its smooth curves clenching in her pink spandex shorts. They shared a look over her head as she came back to a standing position.

  “Great,” said Jamie. “Only 19 more to go.”

  Tiffany smiled, the exercise giving her an adrenaline boost. “Let’s do this,” she said.

  “Yes, please,” Sam murmured too quietly for anyone else to hear.

  ***

  After the class, the rest of the guys went out for drinks, joshing around and joking with each other. “You wanna come with?” Jamie asked, turning back to Tiffany as the gang of guys headed for the men’s locker room. “We can wait for you.”

  “Yeah, come on!” encouraged one of the other students, whose name Tiffany didn’t know.

  “It’ll be fun,” said Sam. “We promise. Plus you’ll be going out with the best-looking crowd in town.”

  A few of the other guys laughed and Tiffany felt a blush spread across her cheeks. She shook her head. “Sorry,” she said, leaning in the direction of the woman’s locker room. “I’ve got work to do. Deadline tomorrow. Maybe next time?”

  “Aw, come on!” another stranger cajoled.

  Silently, blushing, wishing she could be anywhere where there weren't a dozen guys staring at her, Tiffany shook her head.

  “Ah, give her a break, guys,” said Jamie. “But next time for sure, Tiffany.”

  She smiled weakly and made no promises, before turning and hurrying into the change room. As the door swung shut behind her she heard someone say, “Shit, man, she is hot. Have you seen the ass she has on her?”

  “Leave her alone, Hank.” Jamie’s voice was the last thing she heard before the men’s locker room door swung shut.

  Tiffany was alone in the change room and, in the sudden silence, she could hear her rapidly beating heart hammering against her chest. Not since her pageant days had she been the focus of so many strangers’ attention. She hated it. But she had to admit that during class she’d actually had a little fun. Not to mention the thrill she’d felt whenever Jamie and Sam’s hands had lingered on her back and arms while trying to help her with the equipment.

  She focused on that feeling as she stripped off her sweaty gym clothes and turned on one of the showers, pulling the curtains closed around her. Standing with her head under the water, Tiffany kept her thoughts fixed on Jamie and Sam, letting the combination of them and the steam relax both her stiff muscles and her thundering heart.

  Reaching for the soap, Tiffany began to slowly wash off the evening’s sweat, working the lather into her skin in gentle circular motions. Almost without realizing what she was doing, Tiffany began to imagine her hands were Sam and Jamie’s, their strong hands reaching around her and cupping her full breasts, their fingers playing lightly with her nipples.

  Tiffany tipped her head back, letting Jamie run his tongue along the tendons of her neck while Sam moved around her, taking her hips in his hands and kissing the soft skin under her breasts, his warm wet lips leaving a moist trail behind as, slowly, he – and Tiffany’s hand - began to work his way lower.

  Tiffany slid her slippery fingers between the lips of her pussy, imagining Sam’s tongue swirling around her clit, his fingers massaging her ass as he pulled her deeper into his mouth. Behind her, Jamie dipped his head forward, bringing first one erect nipple then the other into his mouth, licking them with his tongue like Sam had begun to lick her clit. Tiffany moaned, one hand buried in each of their hair, pulling them closer to her.

  She could feel the hard lines of Jamie’s muscles pressed tight against her back while his erection throbbed insistently against her ass, its tip nuzzling between her cheeks. Tiffany arched her back, grinding her ass bac
k into him while Sam penetrated her with two fingers, curling them against her g-spot as he continued to suck and lick her clit with ever increasing speed. The pleasure was intense and Tiffany bit her lip to keep herself quiet.

  Taking the shower head off its hook, Tiffany aimed the spray of water directly at her clit, her fingers pumping rapidly into her swollen, dripping pussy as she imagined Sam sliding his cock into her, pressing her even tighter against Jamie’s beautiful body. Bracing herself against the tiled wall, Tiffany worked frantically, seeing their hands everywhere, their mouths pressed hotly against her skin, Sam driving himself deeper and deeper into her, until, finally, gasping, Tiffany came to a shuddering orgasm, her hand exhausted from its efforts.