She jutted her chin up at me and pushed me back. “Fine. But when this thing has run its course, and it will, we both walk away. Don’t go falling for me, because I’m not interested.”
“Noted.” I wondered if she’d been hurt before, and that’s why she was so anti-relationships, but I had a feeling that digging deeper to find out was going to be nearlyimpossible. She didn’t seem like the sharing type, although she intrigued me, and I wanted to peel back all of her layers.
She quickly rinsed herself and then moved to get out of the shower. As I grabbed her arm to stop her, she glowered back at me. I don’t think I’d ever seen someone actuallyglowerbefore that moment. I released her and raised my hands in surrender. “Easy, Sweetheart.”
“I’ve gotta go, Brando. Let’s not make it weird.”
“How am I making it weird?” I asked.
“By trying to get me to stay. Come to think of it, that’s another rule. No sleepovers.” She ticked off each rule on her fingers. “No sleepovers, no feelings, no telling anyone. Oh, and no romantic shit.” Still standing at the entrance of the shower, beads of water trailing down her curves, she looked sexy as hell.
“Is there a rule that says I can’t tell you how goddamned beautiful you are?” I couldn’t stop the words as they spilled from my mouth.
“Fucking hell, Brando.” She rolled her eyes and then turned to step out of the shower, waving her hand in my direction. “I’m leaving. Message me about the tattoo. I still want to do that.”
This fucking woman.
13
LEXI
What in the actual fuck did I agree to? Exclusive fucking rights?I must have been dickmatized out of my mind to agree to that. Sure, I had fuck buddies in the past, but even then, we were never really exclusive. Brandon was infuriating. He drove me fucking crazy, but I couldn’t stay away.
When I got home, Daphne was on my couch.Oopsie. She had been spending so much time at Nathan’s that I almost forgot she was still technically staying with me.
“Hey, stranger. I didn’t think I’d see you tonight,” I said as I discarded my purse at the door and then plopped down beside her on the couch.
“Yeah, we didn’t really get to talk today at work, so I thought I’d come by. I should’ve texted you, though. I didn’t realize you had plans tonight.” Daphne was looking into her lap and wringing her hands.Shit. Did she knowwhere I was tonight?Did that bitch Amanda tattle on me?“Anyway, I wanted to talk to you.”
“What’s up, Daphs? You’re kinda freaking me out. Is everything okay?”Play it cool, Lexi.
“So, Nathan asked me to move in with him.” She winced, waiting for my reaction, like she thought I might be upset.
“Well, duh. I figured that was coming,” I joked. Anyone with eyes could see how happy they were together. Of course, they were going to move in together. “God, I thought someone died.” I put a hand on my chest, relieved that it wasn’t about me and Brandon. I sent a silent apology to Amanda for that bitch comment.Love you, girl!
Daphne slapped my arm. “Oh, my God. I was so worried about telling you. I thought you’d say it was too soon.”
“Everything has happened too soon, but that seems to be par for the course with you two. Honestly, I’m surprised you lasted this long without making it official.”
“So you’re not mad?” Daphne asked.
“Mad? Why would I be mad? I love you, and if Nathan makes you happy, I love him, too. But if he fucks this up, I will absolutely castrate him.”
“Oh, believe me, he’s aware,” Daphne laughed. “He knows you’re a little unhinged.”
I acted like I was offended, but took that as a compliment. “How dare he!” We both laughed, and I leaned over and wrapped my arms around her, squeezing her tight. “I love you, hooker.”
She returned my aggressive hug. “I love you too, Lex. You’ll always be my number one boo.”
“Ditto.” I released her, went to the kitchen, and poured myself a glass of wine. “Want a drink, or are you moving right this minute?”
Daphne chuckled. “Yeah, I’ll have one. I’m staying here tonight unless you have a hot date.” I almost choked on the wine I was sipping. “Or did you already? That top screams,‘I’m trying to fuck.’But it’s still a little early. Was he geriatric, and you got the early bird special?”
“Har, har, har. Very funny.”Was I really going to lie right to my best friend’s face? Nope. Time to change the subject.“So when are you making it official with Nate Dog?”
“Ugh, I hate when you call him that.” Daphne’s eyes shot dramatically to the ceiling. “Well, I wanted to talk to you first, but right away. Aren’t you excited to get me off of your couch?”
“I love having you here, babe, but you haven’t been here much anyway since you met lover boy. As long as you’ll still have time for me, I’m happy for you.”
