“Dude, you’re a billionaire. Hire a nanny.”
He laughs. “Try talking Cici into that and tell me how it goes.”
“Ahhh. Maybe she’ll change her mind after a few more sleepless nights. Other than that, how’s life? Are you guys finally slowing down on visitors?”
“Yeah. Lily’s here every day, which I expect will be the norm, but Cici’s parents have slowed down. Poppy’s coming for a week startingtomorrow, so I’ll work a bit more while she’s here. It’ll give me time to catch up on some things.”
“Damn. It’s crazy you’re a dad now.”
“No kidding. I literally couldn’t imagine life without her, but a word from the wise, bag it up or you’ll be in for a surprise.”
A chuckle precedes the wistful memory of the last time I didn’t. “No worries in that department, but thanks. Hey, would it help if I picked up Poppy tomorrow? I could pick her up from the airport and have an excuse to stop by and visit. I’m sure she’d rather be greeted by a familiar face over your driver.” Fuck. That was smooth, if I do say so myself.
“That would be great, if you have time.”
“Yeah, just text me her flight info.”
“Thanks, man, I appreciate it,” Eli says genuinely, prompting the slightest guilty conscience from ulterior motives.
“You bet. I was thinking I could also take her off your hands and show her a bit of San Diego if you want. We could go to the club since Cici’s probably not up for that kind of entertaining yet.”
“That’s not a bad idea. I’ll talk to Cici about it. I bet Justin and Lucy would go since she and Poppy hit it off.”
“Perfect. I’ll ask him. All right, send over the info, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I hang up with a satisfied smile. Mission accomplished. Minutes later, a text containing Poppy’s flight appears with a message saying Cici wasn’t happy to hear the plan and to behave. Now where’s the fun in that?
After tossing and turning all night, playing out various scenarios about how her visit will go, I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to fuck her out of my system. I won’t be free of her until I do. One time wasn’t nearly enough to satisfy me and fulfill all the wicked fantasies she stars in. The anticipation is killing me.
I’m counting down the hours, and my concentration is total shit, which doesn’t escape Warren.
“Does the blackout on your calendar starting at two today have anything to do with why you’re distracted as hell?”
“It could be.”
“And?”
I run my hand through my hair and sigh. I figured I’d have to fess up to Warren eventually. He practically runs my schedule, and there’s no way he won’t put it together, since he knows Poppy is coming back to visit.
“I’m picking up Poppy at the airport this afternoon.”
“And you were going to tell me this when?”
“I’m telling you now.”
“Fucker. Is this why you’ve been dodging drinks after work? Have you been saving your stamina?”
“Screw off. We’ve been slammed. I’m tired by the end of the day.”
He coughsbullshit. “You’re more hung up on this chick than you’ll admit. She must have a magic pussy.”
Hearing him talk about her like that makes me wince, although I’ve not been much better, but it’s different coming from him and I don’t like it. I shrug nonchalantly. “It’s probably the chase. It’s refreshing to work for it. She’s not easy like the women we usually fuck. I think I just need to get her out of my system. Once she stops resisting, I’ll be done with her.”
“Riiight. Keep me posted on that. You gonna hit her up on letting me tag in?”
“I’m not sure. I’m taking her to the club this week, so maybe you can show up and we’ll play it by ear.”
“I’m pretty convincing. I’ll have her eating out of my hand.”
