“Uh, yeah.”
“Holy shit!” and now she sounds excited. “Happy ‘losing your V-card day’! How are you feeling?”
I consider that question. The truth is, I’m okay. I’m sure I should feel some kind of shame, but I don’t. I’m elated that I can help my sister, and that’s all that’s ever mattered to me.
“Alright, I guess. I’m not sure I was all that good. I didn’t really do anything.”
“Babe, don’t be stupid. You were great, I’m sure. Did he hire you?”
“Yeah.”
“There you go. Guys don’t care much, in my experience. He wants a hole to fuck. Big deal.”
“Jesus, Hope.”
“You’re gonna have to be less of a prude about this stuff now, babe, because you know I’m gonna want all the details. How big is his dick?”
I clear my throat. “Big.”
“Hah! I fucking knew it. I figured it was gonna go one of two ways. Either he’s ugly as sin and can’t get laid unless he pays for it, or he’s some alpha billionaire with a supercharged sex drive who just needs a woman to service him. Are you feeling okay after?”
“Yeah. I’m sore, but, you know. I’m good.”
Hope sighs. “Is it weird to say I’m proud of you? You know I don’t give a shit about the type of job you have, and I never will. You’re my BFF for life, and I know you’re doing this for Annabelle. You’re the best sister ever. All I care about is that he treats you well and you stay safe. Was he an asshole?”
“No. Well, not about that. He was pretty moody after, but I think that’s his MO. He took his time, didn’t force me. That kind of thing.”
“Good, because if he did, I would come and kick his ass.”
I laugh, feeling very lucky to have her in my life. “I kind of just…” I stop, not wanting to admit the truth.
“What?”
“Well, I kind of just stood there, and he did his thing. I wasn’t actually involved much. I’m worried that once I have todoanything, he’s gonna see right through me.”
“It’s all in the hips,” Hope says casually, “and you’ll get the hang of it. You’re like the smartest person I know, and you pick things up so fast. This is gonna be like everything else you do. You’ll have it down in a day.”
“I guess.”
“My little girl is all grown up.”
“I hate you.”
“I’m gonna buy you a card.”
“Goodbye, Hope.”
I hang up, a reluctant smile on my face as I restart the video, turning the sound down to nothing. I get a tingle of sensation between my legs as I watch the woman in front of me. She’s beautiful, sensual, and all the things I’m not, but imagining kneeling at Crawford’s feet is not unappealing.
Not unappealing at all.
Chapter 8
Lucas
My parents’ house is a beacon of light as I pull up alongside it. I look at Melvin, my driver, in the rearview mirror and sigh heavily.
“When do you need me to pick you up, Mr. Crawford?” he asks.
