As much as Vanessa loved me, she’d think I was being an idiot.It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours since I’d slept with Jake, so my mind was racing forward way too fast.
And most importantly, we’d agreed that this was casual.Jake was very clear on what he could offer, and I’d said I was fine with it.I couldn’t start asking to move the goalposts just because we’d had an amazing time together.
Honestly, a few orgasms and my brain turned to mush.
To be fair, it was probably because I hadn’t had sex for a long time.
Either way, it didn’t mean I could get carried away.I had to get a grip.
‘So where is Mr Downtown now?’
‘Mr Downton?As inDownton Abbey?’ I frowned.
‘No!“Downtown” as in that nineties song by a group called SWV.You’re probably too young to know it.My older sister used to play it a lot and I thought it was about downtown, like the American for going into the city.Little did I know it was all about oral sex!’
‘I’ll have to check it out!’ I said, making a mental note of it.Although I hadn’t been uploading my daily playlist songs since Jake told me how triggering they were for him, I had been keeping a note of them, so that if that changed, I could share them with him.It was also interesting to see how my feelings for him had changed over the past week.I didn’t see it at first, but now I realised the playlist idea was genius.‘He’s gone for a walk on the beach.’
‘Cool.So what’s the plan for today?’
‘Not sure.I’m happy to just chill at our new villa.’ I told Vanessa all about how fancy it was.
‘If I was staying in a place like that, they’d have to carry me out of there!It sounds like you’re living your best life right now, hon!’
‘I really am!Anyway, enough about me, what’s new with you?’
‘Nada.Just been working non-stop on a big case.Hopefully I’ll get to blow off some steam later.’
‘Sounds like you deserve it.’
‘Yeah.Anyway, I better get back to it.’
‘You’re working on a Saturday?’
‘Yeah.I’m on my laptop in bed, so it’s fine.Don’t worry.’
‘Okay.Well, thanks again for calling and don’t work too hard.’
‘Probably will.Happy shagging, honey!’
‘Thanks,’ I laughed.‘Speak soon.’
I hung up then jumped off the sofa.It was time to unpack.Then I’d do my nails.I needed something to stop me fixating on Jake and get my head on straight.
By the time he came back from his walk I’d be cool as a cucumber.
And all hopes of this holiday romance developing into anything more would be wiped from my mind.
I might be new to the whole fling thing, but I was going to learn how to stay chill and not embarrass myself.
My heart depended on it.
35
JAKE
As I watched the waves lapping against the shore and my feet sank into the golden sand I exhaled.
The proximity to the beach had always been one of my favourite parts about living in LA.I could take or leave the rest of it.There were a lot of bad memories for me in this city.The exploitation when we were in the band, people screwing me over, what happened with my sister and losing my home and everything I’d worked my butt off for…
