“So it was Princess Peach last night then? You were proving a point so I’d stop bothering you about your job?”
“No, not exactly. Yes, I wanted to prove a point, but I didn’t intend to let it go that far. Princess Peach started it, but I finished it.”
“Why?”
“I’ve had a crush on you since I was a kid. Two birds, one stone I guess.” She shrugged like it was no big deal.
I pulled up in front of her apartment, and my truck’s lights flashed behind us.
“You should sleep it off tonight, but I’m coming by in the morning, and we’re talking about this.”
“I’m not drunk. I haven’t had a drop of alcohol. I was waiting for you. I thought you’d show up and I could make you jealous like you made me last night.”
“Last night?”
“Your hot date,” she said in a clipped voice.
“That’s what you think?” The pieces were starting to fall together. Between the money and my running off to an alleged hot date, she’d felt used. “There wasn’t anyone else last night. I’m not sure I could even get it up for another girl after seeing you naked,” I admitted with a chuckle. “My dick has a one-track mind, laser-focused on Naomi.”
“You mean Princess Peach.”
“No, I said what I meant.” Jumping down from the Jeep, I quickly circled behind it to open her door. Grabbing her hand, I tugged her down beside me. “Come on, I have an idea.”
I got her inside and ran back out to my truck, filling Jose in and then hustling back to Naomi before she changed her mind and locked me out.
She stood at the counter between the kitchen and living room and looked from Jose to me as we entered.
“This is Jose. He’s a big fan of your work,” I said, patting him on the back. “He’s going to help you set up a website so you can get out from under your Wet & Wyld contract and stop giving them a cut. It’ll be more profitable, and you’ll have more control.”
She shook her head. “That’s not necessary.”
“No, it’s absolutely necessary. I’ve been acting like an ass. I just wanted to help, but I realize now I acted no better than one of your customers telling you how to run your life, then throwing money at you and running out the door. This was never about Nathan. I’ve wanted to look after you for years.” I offered a shrug and a half-smile. “Way before he ever asked.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re perfect and beautiful, and you drive me absolutely mind fucking crazy,” I admitted running a hand through my already disheveled hair.
Jose chuckled and I leveled him with a look. I stepped forward and took her hands in mine. “I want a shot at this — whatever this is.”
She pulled away and walked to the couch where she picked up a polo shirt with the logo of our local gym splashed across the front. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but I don’t need it. I got a new job today working the front desk at Fit Club.”
Shit. Had she given it all up because of how I’d treated her?
I tugged her down the hallway and into her bedroom. “You don’t need to do this. I’m sorry I did that to you. I was awful. I wanted to help, and I just made things worse. You’re perfect, and if this is what you want to do, then I’ll support you however I can. Although screaming other dude’s names is off the table. You’re going to have to wear a gag or something.” The sound of her screaming Andrew’s name still gave me chills.
She giggled, and I drank up the sound. “The only name I’m going to be screaming is yours. I don’t know what’s next, but I know I don’t want to go back to pretending to enjoy other men. You’ve ruined me.”
“You’re sure?”
She nodded. “Nathan was always saying I should look into modeling, maybe I’ll send some photos out see what happens.”
“As long as I’m the only one that gets to touch you, that’s perfectly fine by me.”
“All right, tell Jose to get out of here then and touch me,” she begged as she wrapped her arms around my neck.
I kicked the door shut. “He can find his own way out.”
THE END
