I’d planted the seed Heaven suggested. Part of me hopes she's wrong but a bigger part trusts that she’s not wrong. When the sell is over, I’ll focus more on our future. We just need to make it through these next few weeks.
My phone comes to life when I hit the power button. Text and voicemail alerts cause a steady flow of beeps for several seconds. I ignore the missed calls from my parents and Allie, but a call comes in before I can check my texts.
“What, Allie?”
“I-I was worried about you.”
“For what? I went to bed with my girlfriend.”
“But dinner—”
“Fuck dinner,”
“Please, don’t be mad at me.”
“I’m not mad at you. What in the hell did you think was going to happen? Listen, I know they invited you but never come to my house without checking with me first. Understand?”
“Yeah, it’s just...”
I hang up because I don’t care. Even if she’s not the mole, she has to go. Now that Heaven bought it to my attention, I cannot unsee the puppy dog eyes she gives me. This isn’t healthy for her or me.
A few texts later, I have Heaven’s day planned. Her near-black eyes are watching me when I look in her direction. A smile ghosts her lips in a silent greeting. Cupping her face, I run my thumb along her cheek and kiss her forehead. I’d make love to her again, but we have a schedule.
She purrs and studies my body once I climb out of bed.
“You have somewhere to be in less than two hours. Let’s shower and get some breakfast.”
“I have somewhere to be?” Her wild hair bumps up the hilarity of her question.
“Yes, love. I have a day planned for you.”
Her tits bounce when she hops off the bed. I may need to go for a swim.
“Just me?”
“Yes. Paulo will pick you up.”
“Wow. That’s telling.” Her pout would be cute if I didn’t hate the reason for it.
“No, ma’am. I’m just giving you a break from the crazies. Trust me.” I pat her butt. “Off to the shower you go.”
Heaven disappears into the bathroom while I review texts to ensure I didn’t miss anything work-related. I move past the ones from Allie and my parents until I find an important one.
Mr. Pafuti: We’ll be there for your charity ball. Let’s have dinner and maybe complete the contract.
Heaven emerges from a cloud of steam wrapped in nothing but a towel. Her brown skin glows from the heat, and she looks more relaxed than yesterday. I love her.
“It’s go time,” I announce. Reaching for my wallet, I pull out a card with her name on it. “You officially have a reason to use this, baby.”
“Huh?” She snaps her bra in place then drops her hands to her hips, giving me her full attention.
“Mr. Pafuti, the guy you’re here to meet, wants us to meet for dinner before my event this coming weekend.” I wave the card. “Buy yourself whatever you want while you’re out.”
She frowns at the card but doesn’t reach for it. Heaven folds her arms instead. “Axel, this isn’t the right climate for me to skip out of here with your card and come back with a bunch of stuff.”
Standing, I grab her wrist and press the card into her palm. “Heaven, you and I both know you’re not a gold digger or a con artist. Let me worry about Alger and Hanna.”
“Axel...”
