Sexting the Don: Chapter 12
The sun is setting in typically beautiful LA style as my Uber pulls up to Natalie Winters’ gorgeous beachfront house. It’s modern and nice but not over the top—just right for an up-and-coming actress.
I’ve been in knots all day, and I’m ready for a fun workout to take my mind off things.
I hop out of the Uber, taking a moment to stretch and breathe in the ocean air. As I approach the house, I can’t help but wonder if I’ll ever have an LA home like this or if I’m doomed to spend the rest of my life in a dingy apartment above my parents’ garage.
“One step at a time,” I mutter to myself, shaking off the negativity.
I reach the front door and ring the bell, adjusting my gym bag on my shoulder. Within moments, Natalie answers, a bright smile on her face.
“Mandy! So glad you could make it,” she says, pulling me into a quick hug.
“Wouldn’t miss it,” I reply, grinning back. “I need this workout more than you know.”
Natalie laughs, leading me inside. “Rough day?”
“You have no idea,” I say, glancing around at the tasteful decor. “Your place is looking gorgeous, by the way.”
“Thanks,” she says, beaming.
As we head to the home gym, I can’t help but admire Natalie’s determination and success. She might be a little bit of a slouch in the gym, but when it comes to her acting dreams, she’s got what it takes, and it shows.
It’s inspiring, really.
“Ready to kick my butt?” Natalie asks, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“Always,” I reply, feeling a surge of confidence. “Let’s do this.”
Natalie winks at me as we set up our mats. “So, tell me, how’s your love life going? Any hot dates recently? Or are you still holding out for Mr. Perfect?”
I roll my eyes, chuckling. “You know me, Nat. I’m not as adventurous as you are. Besides, I’ve got enough on my plate without adding a man to the mix.”
“Oh, come on,” she teases, stretching her arms over her head. “You’ve got to let loose sometimes. Maybe you’ll find someone who can help you relax a bit.”
“Yeah, right,” I laugh, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks as I think of Enzo. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Natalie grins, clearly not buying my casual dismissal. “Uh-huh. Spill. I can tell there’s something you’re not telling me.”
I sigh, shaking my head. “It’s nothing, really. Just someone I met. But it’s complicated.”
“Complicated? Sounds intriguing,” she says, raising an eyebrow. “You can’t leave me hanging like that. Give me the juicy details.”
“Maybe later,” I reply, trying to dodge the conversation. “For now, let’s focus on the workout. I really need to clear my head.”
“All right, fine,” Natalie concedes, smirking. “But I’m getting the details out of you eventually. Let’s get to it.”
I lead the workout, excited to show Natalie some new moves.
Natalie mimics my movements, and we get into a rhythm. The workout flows smoothly, each exercise building upon the last. But soon, my mind starts drifting back to Enzo. The way he looked at me, the intensity in his eyes when he touched me.
“Mandy, you with me?” Natalie’s voice pulls me back to the present.
“Yeah, sorry,” I say, shaking my head to clear the thoughts. “Just distracted.”
“Must be some distraction,” she teases as we switch to push-ups. “Is it the guy you mentioned? The complicated one?”
“Maybe,” I admit, not wanting to delve into details but also unable to deny it. “He’s different.”
“Different can be good,” Natalie says, glancing at me with a knowing smile. “Just remember, you’re the one in control. Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise.”
Her words resonate with me as we continue our workout. I push through the exercises, trying to focus on the physical effort rather than the whirlwind of thoughts about Enzo.
As we move to the final circuit, my body starts to tire, but my mind is sharp. Natalie’s right. I need to stay in control. Maybe Enzo is just a distraction, or maybe he’s something more. Either way, I’m not letting it derail my life.
We finish our workout, sweat dripping and muscles pleasantly aching. Natalie suggests we take a break with some after-workout wine. I’m totally fine with that.
“Just a sip,” I say as she fetches the bottle.
We sit on Natalie’s deck, where the ocean view is breathtaking as the sun sets over the waves. It’s one of those perfect LA evenings that make you forget all your worries.
“So,” Natalie says, a mischievous glint in her eye as she hands me a glass of wine, “you going to tell me more about this complicated guy?”
I laugh, taking a sip. “You don’t let anything go, do you?”
“Not when it comes to juicy gossip,” she grins. “Come on, spill.”
I sigh, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. “It’s no big deal. I had a one-night stand.”
Natalie’s eyes light up. “Now we’re talking! Details, girl! Who is he?”
I shake my head, too embarrassed to share everything. “He’s the most handsome man I’ve ever met. So sexy. But I’ll likely never hear from him again.”
Natalie raises an eyebrow. “Do you have his number?”
I nod, taking another sip of wine to avoid her piercing gaze.
“Well, text him! This is the twenty-first century, Mandy; women can be more forward. It’s totally allowed,” she says with a wink. “Do you know how many amazing men I would’ve missed out on if I’d just sat around waiting for them to make the next move?”
I laugh nervously, twirling my glass. “I don’t know …”
“He could be waiting for you to make the next move. You’ll never know unless you try. Come on, what do you have to lose?”
I look out at the ocean, considering her words.
I shake my head. “I wouldn’t even know what to say.”
Natalie rolls her eyes and holds out her hand. “Give me your phone. I’ll do it for you.”
“No freaking way,” I laugh, pulling my phone closer. “I’m not letting you text him!”
“Come on, Mandy,” she teases, nudging me with her elbow. “Seriously, what do you have to lose?” she repeats.
I sigh, looking at her. “What do you mean?”
“Okay, look,” she says, leaning in conspiratorially. “If you text him and hear nothing back, then you’ll know he’s trash, and you can find another boy toy. No harm, no foul. But if he does answer, you could have another rip-roaring time with a super sexy guy. You said it yourself that he’s sexy, right?”
I bite my lip, considering her words. “I don’t know, Nat. It’s just … it’s complicated.”
She grins, giving me another playful nudge. “There’s that word again. Listen, life’s complicated, sweetie. But you deserve to have some fun. And if he’s responsible for that look on your face, it’s worth the risk.”
I look down at my phone; the screen is dark and tempting. Natalie’s right. What do I have to lose? With a deep breath, I unlock it and open up my messages, feeling a mix of excitement and fear. She leans in, ready to spy on whatever I type.
Natalie takes another sip of wine and then looks at me with a sparkle in her eye. “How about we hit the town tonight and have some fun? Drinks, dancing …”
I shake my head, knowing I don’t have the money to go out and not wanting her to feel like she has to pick up the tab. “I think I’ll pass, Nat. I’m pretty wiped.”
She pouts for a moment but then nods. “All right, I get it. But one day, I’m going to get you to go out to a party with me. Who knows, maybe you’ll meet an actor looking for his future gym bunny wife.” She laughs, and I join in, though my thoughts quickly drift back to Enzo.
It’s insane how he’s the only man I have eyes for now. I barely know him, and yet he’s stuck in my head like a catchy song I can’t shake.
Natalie stands up, stretching. “Hey, you know you’re always welcome to use my shower. It’s the best way to unwind after a workout.”
“Thanks, Nat. I think I’ll take you up on that,” I reply, grateful for her hospitality.
I head to her luxurious bathroom, the spacious shower calling my name. As the warm water cascades over me, I think about Enzo. My thoughts begin to drift, carried away by a sexy fantasy.
I picture Enzo in the shower with me, his hands running over my wet skin, his lips trailing hot kisses down my neck. My breath hitches as I imagine him pressing me against the cool tiles, his body firm and strong against mine.
“Mandy, are you touching yourself?” I hear his deep voice in my head, sending shivers down my spine.
My hand moves instinctively, mimicking the fantasy, my body reacting to the vivid images playing out in my mind.
The water pours over me, heightening every sensation as I let myself get lost in the moment. The memory of his touch, his scent, the intensity in his eyes—it’s all so real. I can almost feel his breath against my ear, his whisper telling me what he wants to do to me.
I bite my lip, the pleasure building, the fantasy blurring the lines of reality. For a few blissful moments, it’s like he’s really here, making me feel things I’ve never felt before. But as the steam swirls around me and the water begins to cool, I know I have to snap back to reality.
With a deep breath, I finish up, turning off the shower and wrapping myself in a plush towel. My mind is still buzzing with thoughts of Enzo, but I push them aside, determined to focus on the here and now.
After showering and saying goodbye to Natalie, I hop into my Uber and check my phone. No messages. Should I text him? The thought keeps bouncing around in my head.
My mind goes back and forth, weighing the pros and cons.
What if he’s not that interested? What if he only said he was to get me back in bed? My heart races with the possibilities. I sigh, knowing I’ll never stop wondering if I don’t take a chance.
“Okay, Mandy, just do it,” I mutter to myself, unlocking my phone and opening up our message thread. My fingers hover over the keyboard for a moment before I finally type out a message.
How’s it going?
I hit send before I can second-guess myself.
Now, all I can do is wait and see what happens next.