Even if he turns me down, his mouth-wateringly naked body will forever be etched in my memory. I call Chloe, and she proceeded to tease me for my irrational behavior.
“I can’t believe you propositioned a neighboranddidn’t provide a photo of his naked goodness,” she complains. I can hear the smile in her voice.
“First, I was shocked. No. That’s second. First, you’re married, and I should not be sending naked man pictures to my married friends.”
“You’re no fun, Bree. I’ve been dedicated to Terrance since childhood. My fidelity is solid, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have eyes, girl!”
I snort in the phone. “No, your eyes are definitely non-functioning for you to be running around with Papi and not notice that big mine of sexy.”
Chloe’s laugh is just as dramatic as she. “Max? I’m aware he’s attractive, but we’re just friends. I like watching other women drool over him, then size me up when we’re out and about.”
“So, being around him helps you be the center of attention.”
“Yessssssss!” she sings her answer with Broadway drama.
“Where is Terrence B.T.W.?”
Chloe’s sigh is long and drawn out. “Getting ready to go to Australia for business. He won’t be back until after Christmas.”
I pull the phone away from my face to recheck the date. “He’s gonna be gone for two weeks?”
“Yeah. They’re on the verge of a big deal, and the poor baby is always at work or on the way to a new meeting.”
“The family is already rich; is it worth it? Like is he preparing to take over?”
“No. His dad and uncle are still running the show. He says he has to work extra hard so no one believes it’s nepotism.”
“Then, you should be able to pursue your career, since you wouldn’t be neglecting him.”
“No, Ma’am. Nice try at changing the subject. What are you going to do with ‘Naked Jason’ if he agrees to your crazy scheme?”
Feeling bolder than my usual self, I go for the gold. “Fuck him.”
Chloe’s holler of amusement has me moving the phone away from my ear. “Yaaaassss, girl! I can’t wait for details!”
The line beeps, and a number I don’t recognize flashes. “Hold on, Chloe. Hello?” I answer the new caller.
“Hello, neighbor,” Jason’s deep timbre instantly seduces me.
Sinking lower into my couch, and clutching a pillow, I do my best to sound unaffected and as if his voice didn’t make me wet.
“Hi. ‘Oh, Jason.’”
“Just call me Jason. You have to earn the right to moan it.”
That escalated quickly.
I stall to get my jaw off the floor. “Hold, please.”
After switching back to Chloe and relaying the small snippet, she’s gone with a squeal.
“I’m back,” I tell him as casually as possible. “How was your event?”
“Short, sweet, and financially pleasing,” His answer is dismissive and showing his desire to skip the small talk. “I’ve been thinking about your offer,” he says. “We’ll have to work out some logistics, but I think we can make this happen if you haven’t changed your mind—”
“I haven’t,” I confirm faster than my dignity would have liked.
“Good.” The seduction in his voice, that wasn’t there this morning, gives me butterflies. “Step one, we have to test our chemistry. It’ll be hard to get things going if our bodies don’t want it.”
