“Feels like one of the smartest thingsI’veever done.”
Refusing to look at me, Bobbi straightens, squirming to realign her thong and running her hands down her dress to smooth it. She can fuss with her clothes all she wants, but she can’t hide the post-orgasm flush or the marks I left on her neck. “You think you’re being clever, Noah, but this…encounter doesn’t change anything between us. I’m not getting married for free dinners and a ring. I’m marrying for commitment, which you can never give me.”
That hurts…and I can’t even argue because she’s right. I wasn’t always around because I thought I could keep my distance every time my work might put her in danger. To make sure I couldn’t go back to her, I broke my word on purpose…except I couldn’t stay away.
Up to now, she forgave me because she liked me, and I shamefully took advantage of that, relieved that she still cared about me. The idea that she might actively push me away never seemed to be a possibility when I decided to see her after the crash. I had finally accepted that I couldn’t live without her, and would just have to be extra vigilant to keep her safe—or even quit the business altogether. My work is important, but nothing’s as important as Bobbi. “I’m here now.”
Bang, bang, bang!There are more impatient knocks on the door.
“There’s another bathroom right next to this one!” I shout in case she’s the type to pee when she sneezes.
“Noah! Don’t do this!” the woman yells from outside.
What the hell?
“Uh, ‘Noah, don’t do this’?” Bobbi shoots me anare-you-serious?look.
“Bobbi, trust me, I don’t even know her.” I’ve never heard that voice before. It’s so nasal the woman seems like an elephant with a cold.
“Yeah sure.” Bobbi’s lips twist into a humorless smile. “Let’s just assume she’s talking about someotherNoah.” She shakes her head. “But let’s see if you can answer this question: How long are you going to stick around this time?”
“Forever. The answer is forever. I’ll make up for everything.”
She lets out a laugh. “How? By sending more flowers?” she says. “The bakery opening might’ve been some silly little event to you, compared to your amazing adventures and photography, but it was a milestone for me. Abigone. And I need someone who recognizes what’s important and can share those moments.”
“And I will—”
“Until a year ago, when I thought about my future, you were in it. But now…” She shrugs. “You aren’t part of the picture anymore.”
She unlocks the door and stands to the side. A brunette in a skin-tight black dress is right in front of the door, arms crossed over a medically pumped-up chest. She pushes off the wall she was leaning against, uncrosses her arms and props her hands on her hips. Sharp eyes rake over Bobbi, noting the flush and the soft glow.
She turns to me with an almost unholy triumph. “Noah!” Before I can process her weird reaction, she launches herself forward, grabs my shirt and pulls me down as she stretches upward. I press my lips together hard just as her open mouth lands on mine. Her kiss is clammy, and smells of an eye-watering mint mouthwash. She tries to shove her slug-like tongue into my mouth, and I go cold.
I grip her arms firmly—but not so hard that they’ll end up bruised—and push her away. Her overinflated lips are pursed in a perfect circle. It reminds me of a suction cup on an octopus tentacle and sends nasty shivers down my spine.
The whole thing happens fast, and my heart is thumping—for all the wrong reasons. Bobbi snorts in disgust. This has to look like a total shitshow to her.
“Noah, honey, I’ve been looking alloverfor you! I’m ready to have your baby now.”
What?
“I just knew we were destined to be the moment our gazes collided.” She sounds like a third-rate actress reading a fourth-rate script. “Don’t you feel it? The galactic tidal pull?”
“Who are you?”
“Rammi.” She winks. “Get it? Ram-Me?” She bats her eyelashes while trying to give me a directfuck melook. It doesn’t work.
Then it hits me: Joey apparentlyhasn’t forgotten about me after all, not after our run-in at Gion Shiyaki. His women just haven’t had a chance to get to me because I’ve been holed up, working on the report Mom wanted.Oh, shit.
Bobbi looks half-humiliated and half-revolted. “Wow.”
“This isn’t what it looks like,” I say, while Rammi is doing her best to squish her overflowing breasts against my chest. I don’t know what’s been done to her tits, but her nipples seem to be permanently erect.
Bobbi’s eyes rake us up and down, taking in the whole tableau. “Nah.” Her tone says,How stupid do you think I am?“It’s fine. Have your fun with Rim-Me.”
She starts to walk back to the dining area. I shove Rammi into the bathroom. “It’s all yours!” I close the door and rush after Bobbi. Her long strides have already taken her halfway to her table where the Asian guy is faithfully waiting.
The door to the bathroom crashes open behind me and a rapid clattering of heels against the hard floor follows. There’s no way I can have a productive conversation with Bobbi with Rammi in the picture. Because if the roles were reversed and some asshole tried to rub his dick against Bobbi…
