Finding Mr Right Now: The Right Now Series Read online

  Finding Mr Right Now

  The Right Now Series

  DD Sparxx

  Edited by

  Donna Hokanson

  Copyright © 2017 by DD Sparxx

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  Cover Design by Sweet ‘N Spicy Designs.

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  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, with or without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

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  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used factiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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  Contents

  Warning

  DEFINITIONS

  Finding Mr. Right Now

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Playlist:*

  Also by DD Sparxx

  Crash Into Me Sample

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Want More?

  About the Author

  Warning

  The following story contains mature themes, strong language and graphic sexual situations. It is intended for mature readers.

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  All characters are 18+ years of age and all sexual acts are consensual.

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  DEFINITIONS

  Tetrisize: The study, or the art of, effective spatial management. The arrangement of items to best fit within a given space.

  Boner Bungee: Strapping a relentless boner down with the elastic waist band of one’s boxers.

  Finding Mr. Right Now

  The Right Now Series

  Book 1

  1

  Gemma

  I stared at Geoff talking across the table. I saw his lips moving but I had no clue what he was saying, as I had completely tuned him out. I didn’t know what was wrong with me. Geoff was a great guy. He had classic good looks, blonde hair and blue eyes. He was a pediatric doctor, and had a sweet spirit about him.

  Our meeting had been one of chance. It was early morning, mid-September, and I was out hiking, looking for something beautiful to photograph when I slipped and twisted my ankle. Geoff had been hiking a nearby trail and heard me cursing loudly. He’d literally come to my rescue, helping me get off of the mountain. I had never been more happy to see another person, let alone a good-looking man, in all my life. Lucky for me, he had a first-aid kit in his car and kindly wrapped my throbbing ankle, then handed me two aspirin to help with the pain. Thankfully it was my left foot, so I didn’t need it to drive myself home.

  He asked for my number before we parted ways and now we’d been casually dating for about a month. So why was it that I didn’t feel anything more than friendship for him? Like I said, good looking, sweet, and a doctor to boot. Isn’t that what every little girl wished for in her prince charming? I couldn’t put my finger on what exactly was missing.

  Thankfully, we weren’t alone. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Harper and Eli start laughing and took my cue from them, forcing a chuckle out. Geoff looked at me, smiling broadly, and I smiled sweetly back. The conversation continued around me and I responded on autopilot, nodding and smiling and laughing when it was appropriate, but my mind was completely checked out. I was still analyzing everything that was wrong with my so-called relationship.

  He did and said all the right things. He opened doors for me, bought me flowers, texted for no reason what-so-ever. Bonus, he loved kids, which I wanted some day. He made me feel special. And yet…

  “Gemma, do you mind if I pick out some more wine? Wanna help?” Harper’s higher pitch voice cut through my thoughts.

  “Sure,” I smiled back at her. I pushed my chair away from the table and followed her into my kitchen.

  “So?” She prompted, her brown eyes getting even wider in her pretty face as she pulled her blonde hair over her left shoulder.

  “So, what?” I asked, scrunching my face quizzically, not sure what I had missed at the table that she was referring to.

  “Gemma Elizabeth Montgomery, you don’t think I can totally tell you are completely checked out tonight? I know you way better than that. What gives?” She tilted her head as she leaned back onto the granite countertop of my island.

  “Sorry, am I that obvious?” I felt like an idiot. I didn’t think anyone would notice.

  “Only to me. I’ve known you forever and I know that spaced-out, unfocused look you get when you’re not really paying attention. What’s wrong?” I could tell she was genuinely concerned. She had been my best friend since early middle school.

  “I don’t know.” I huffed quietly. “I’ve been seeing Geoff for almost a month now, and he’s a really great guy, but I just don’t think he’s the one for me…”

  “You know I’ll fully support whatever decisions you make, and yeah, Geoff is a great guy. Eli and I both like him. But, we aren’t the ones dating him. If you don’t think he’s worth your time, then stop wasting his. I’m not trying to sound harsh when I say that. But, I can see how he looks at you. He thinks you guys have something special. If you don’t feel it, cut him free.” She shrugged.

  “You know how much I hate hurting people. And, the truth is, I want us to have something special. I just can’t figure out what’s missing.”

  “It’s only been a few weeks. Do you think you need to invest a little more time? Are you being too picky?” Harper knew me well enough to know that picky was my specialty.

  I heaved a heavy sigh. “It’s been almost a month and… I don’t know. On paper, he’s perfect, but, something, something is missing. Maybe you’re right, maybe I’m being too picky and I should give it a little more time. Yes, I’m gonna take your advice.” I said it out loud to reaffirm my decision.

  “Whoa, slow your roll.” Harper’s hands came up in a halt motion in front of her. “I didn’t say that exactly. Don’t base your decision on me. You’re the one who will have to live with whatever you decide. Go with your gut feeling.”

  Suddenly, the voices in the next room over grew louder. We quickly grabbed another bottle of Malbec from my wine fridge and went to see what all the commotion was about. As we entered the room, I felt a real smile fill my face and my heartbeat shifted into double-time. Dark hair, gorgeous brown eyes, dimples and a perfect white toothed smile - Bastian.

  Well, Baz and Mila, his latest play thing. I don’t say that with any venom, he’s just not the settling down type. He has a new girl on his arm every week. Harper, Eli, Bastian and I have all known each other forever, since long before high school. Harper and Eli have dated for as long as I can remember, whereas Bastian and I have always just been really good friends. In fact, he’s one of my best friends. He always knows how to bring a smile to my face and lighten my moods.

  “Hey, Gemma!” He crossed the room to pull me into his panty-melting embrace. I inhaled deeply. He always smelled so good, a woodsy and citrus type combination.

  “Hi, Baz. Mila.” I n
odded to her from my spot near the entryway, then turned back to Baz. “I wondered if you guys were gonna come tonight.”

  “I know. Sorry we’re late, we got a little, ah, side tracked,” he glanced over at Mila with a sly smirk on his face.

  I felt my face blush fiercely at his insinuation and I quickly looked to the ground. I wasn’t a prude. I just hadn’t really had sex yet, so talking about it was kind of awkward for me. I made my way back to the table and opened the wine. I started to pour and realized there weren’t enough glasses.

  “You guys want some wine?” I chanced glancing back up to the two of them as they took their seats at the table.

  “I vould love some,” Mila cooed at me with her European accent, as her hand slid under the table to go God-knows where. She was a model and was absolutely beautiful, with gray eyes, full lips, thick black hair, legs that went on for miles and voluptuous curves. They seemed happy together, this was the third time he’d brought her around, so he must really like her. We usually only saw his flings once and then he was on to someone new. “Vould jou like somesing, Bastian?”

  His eyes betrayed where her hand was now placed as he ground out, “That I would.” He smiled at her knowingly as he answered.

  I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.

  “I’ll be right back.” I hurried into the kitchen and gently banged my head against the cabinet holding the vine, I mean, wine glasses. Ugh, I hated her. Be nice. Think happy thoughts. Kittens and puppies and rainbows and sunshine, all that happy shit. I shook my head as I grabbed the glasses. Again, I found myself wondering what is wrong with me? I wasn’t normally a catty bitch, but she wasn’t good enough for Baz, and I was sure she was using him for his connections. Not that it was any of my business. He just deserved so much better. He was such a selfless man, he deserved someone who would give him her everything in return.

  I took the wine glasses back to the dining room, filled them and passed them off. We hung out, drank our wine and played Apples to Apples. As the night wore on, and the alcohol really kicked in, I found myself starting to let go of the analyzing. Geoff really was a great guy. We looked cute together, or so I’d been told. I’d give it a little more time. Harper was right, maybe I was just being too picky.

  2

  Baz

  From the minute we got to Gemma’s place, I caught myself checking out Geoff some more. He seemed like he had his shit together, but I wasn’t going to let anyone hurt Gemma again. I remember what happened our senior year of high school like it was yesterday. That’s when I had vowed to personally handle any other man who even thought about hurting her again.

  And that’s also why I had a revolving door of women.

  She was special. I cared about her, but I didn’t want to be one of those assholes who would hurt her and walk away. Because, let’s face it, that’s exactly what I was. I was the guy who didn’t settle down. The world was like a buffet and there were so many different women out there for me to sample.

  Just not Gemma.

  That didn’t mean she hadn’t starred in boatloads of my X-rated fantasies though. I had years-worth stored up.

  Besides, coming from a multiple-time broken home, I knew love was a fleeting feeling. No one stayed forever. And when money was factored into the equation, like it was for my father, it seemed love was a whole different kind of animal. You had to be cautious. You could never be sure who was using you for your money and connections, versus someone who was really into you for you, hence the multi-time broken home. I’m not bitter, I’m just a realist.

  At 25 years old, I’ve busted my ass and made a name for myself. Ok, yes, I was a trust fund baby, my mother died when I was six, but I was raised to learn how to keep that money profitable. I’ve invested some in commercial real estate, some in self-serve car washes all over the city, and some in stocks and bonds. It’s because of my work ethic that my money is, for lack of a better way to put it, still working for me.

  I took another sip of my wine, and glanced over at Mila. She was definitely easy on the eyes, but our relationship is totally superficial. Without a doubt, she was using me for my money and connections. Which was fine because, as far as I was concerned, she was nothing more than arm candy and a fuck doll. Don’t get me wrong, the sex was good. But that’s all it was, good sex. I was a firm believer that you could have good sex with anyone that you had chemistry with, people could be taught how to please each other.

  As the night wore on, I realized there was nothing for me to pick apart when it came to Geoff and Gemma. She seemed to really like him. So, as usual, I’d wait and watch from the sidelines to see if she needed me to step in and play the protector. All in all, he really did look like he’d be a good fit for her. And, I had to hand it to him, he could play a mean game of Apples to Apples. We played 3 games and he won every one.

  Gemma started to clean up and I pushed my chair back to help. I followed her into the kitchen with the empty wine bottles in my arms and glasses carefully balanced in my hands.

  “Do you want me to put these into the dishwasher?” I asked as she leaned forward to set down the now empty cheese and cracker platter on the counter.

  It clattered loudly as she gasped and spun in my direction, one hand placed over her heart.

  “Jeez, Baz! You scared the crap out of me.” Her face was flushed as she approached to take the bottles I had cradled in my elbows.

  “Sorry,” I chuckled at her. “I thought you heard me.”

  “I must’ve been off in my own little world. I’ve been doing that a lot tonight. As Harper would say, I’m overthinking things,” then under her breath I heard her mumble, “and being picky.”

  “Over thinking and being picky? You? Never.” I teased wondering what on earth she was talking about. “Everything ok?”

  “Yeah. I think I need to give it some more time. Sorry, don’t mind me. Tonight is apparently a great night for self-reflection. So, things must be going pretty good with Mila. I was surprised to see her with you again tonight. That’s three weeks in a row with the same girl on your arm.” Her big blue eyes found mine as her face creased in mock concern and she pressed her palm to my forehead, sending little volts of electricity through my system, which I forced my body to ignore. “You feelin’ ok?” She teased. And even though what she said was true, I was notorious for always having new female companions, internally I felt a slight sting at her words.

  “You know me, always all good here.” I mentally brushed off her gentle touch and thought about that time I saw my grandma, naked and dripping wet, as she was stepping out of the shower for a distraction. “You sure you’re ok? I don’t have to make any blonde heads roll?”

  This made her laugh a real laugh. “No. There’s no need for head rolling. I love that you’re always willing to be my savior. But Geoff’s a good guy.”

  “Seems that way. How’s the photography business been treating you lately? Still trying to capture the most amazing wedding and nature photos ever?” I stepped to the sink and set down the glasses I was holding.

  “You know it. I still love the nature pics, but there’s only so much nature here in the valley that can pay the bills. Wedding and engagement photography is, and will continue to be, my mainstay. I’ve been pretty booked up lately too. I love to show the romance of weddings. Most people don’t remember all the screw ups that happen on their special day if they have the pictures that remind them of the romance. It’s all about editing and the perfect lighting. Creating tangible happiness that they can revisit.” She got a wistful sound to her voice and a far-off, dreamy look on her face. I loved hearing her talk about what she was so passionate about, but it was time to toss a dose of reality on her vision.

  “Yeah, but it’s all a façade. Love doesn’t last.” I stopped rinsing, and turned shrugging at her.

  She shook her head in disagreement. “Ever the pessimist. My parents are still together after 32 years of marriage, so forgive me if I disagree with your jaded perspective.”

/>   “Agree to disagree,” I raised my hands in surrender. She shook her finger gently in my direction.

  “Someday, Baz, mark my words. Some woman is going to come along and change your mind.” She grabbed my hand and twirled around under my arm. “You’ll be knocked on your ass by true love, I guarantee it. I can’t wait to be there to tell you I told you so when that day comes.” With that she tapped me on the tip of my nose, turned and walked out of the kitchen, her perky ass swishing from side to side on the way out.

  I finished rinsing the glasses and put them in the dishwasher pondering what she had just prophesied. Was she right? I highly doubted it. There was only one woman I could ever imagine feeling anything like that towards, and I had set her in the off-limits zone a long, long time ago.

  Mila found me there, still standing by the sink. “Looks like za party is vinding down. Are jou ready to go?” She slinked up to me and wrapped her arms around my neck, trying to get up close and personal. After my conversation with Gemma, being close to Mila just didn’t sit right with me. I turned my face away from her, then turned back placing a kiss on her cheek so my brush off wouldn’t be so obvious.