Jordan isn’t a distraction now.
She’s part of the job.
Chapter 20
Jordan
I’ve been avoiding Lucas like the plague. After I left his house on Wednesday, I’ve been distant. I couldn’t bring myself to ask him about why he doesn’t have any personal effects in the house or why he’s so secretive about his life.
And I decided, why do I care that much anyway? He’s way out of my league and I have nothing to offer him. It was fun for the few days it lasted but I think I needed the space to see this for what it was.
A fling.
Do I like the guy? Yes. A lot. But we’re both hiding things and I’m not mentally in a headspace for him to tell me he has a family somewhere else or that he’s a serial killer. I’m also in no position to tell him about my life either. I’m at a crossroads and need to focus on remedying my life before I fall even harder for a man that would most likely leave me the second he found out about my situation.
The rest of the week went impossibly slow, but I had two photoshoots today and they turned out amazing. With Kyle making my prices higher, I’ll have rent covered for next month from this weekend alone. That means I’ll have more wiggle roomto actually feed myself during the month and put a bigger chunk of money aside.
I have so much to be grateful for because things seem to be falling into place as far as work goes. I just feel like there’s some sort of catch. Well, I know there’s a catch. Both my dad and Lucas are the catch. The former makes my life hell while the latter has his secrets.
At least everything else is going well. It’s better than it was a month ago and that’s all I can ask for.
I splurged on a pint of Ben and Jerry’s and am watching trashy reality TV. I stuff a huge spoonful of Americone Dream into my mouth just as I hear a knock at the door.
“Just a minute,” I yell and swallow around the cold bite.
I slip out of bed, set the ice cream on my bedside table, and go to open the door.
Lucas stands in front of me, without his glasses, sporting jeans and a blue checkered flannel that brings out the color in his eyes. His hair is mussed like he’s been running his hands through it and his normal five o’clock shadow is thicker than usual.
“What are you doing here,” I ask as I stare at the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. It’s hard to look at him and not jump into his arms. I’ve been a complete coward, avoiding his texts and calls, but I didn’t think he would just show up at my place unannounced. I shouldn’t be surprised though because he’s appeared out of nowhere before.
“How was your day?”
“You came all this way to ask me about my day?” I hitch an eyebrow at him.
“No. I didn’t. I came here to ask if you wanted to go out tonight, but I don’t want to go out anymore.” He looks over my shoulder, scanning the room. “Can I come in?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I close the door a little, so he doesn’t get any ideas.
He takes a step forward and I involuntarily take one back. If he gets any closer to me, I can’t be held accountable for what I do next. “And why isn’t it a good idea? One minute we’re fucking and having a good time and the next you act like none of it happened.”
“Where are your glasses?” I deflect. He only goes without them when we were having sex, never in public.
“I don’t need them right now. I ordered food for us, and it should be here in half an hour.”
“That’s presumptuous of you.”
“Maybe. Do you always answer the door in a white see-through crop top and booty shorts? Or is that just for my benefit?” He scans me from head to toe.
My core instantly heats. The way he gazes at my body is straight-up feral, and now that he’s standing in front of me, my body is screaming for action. “I was just hunkering in for the rest of the night. I wasn’t expecting company.” I cross my arms over my chest.
He reaches for a stray strand of my pink hair and pushes it behind my ear. I only just saw him yesterday and he’s looking at me like it’s been years. “Look. I’m just here to have a meal with you. Nothing more, nothing less. Unless you want more.” He licks his lips. “I just wanted to treat you to a date, but to be honest, I’m kind of wiped out and thought it would be better for us to stay in.”
I didn’t forget he wanted to go on a date. I just thought that he would move on if I ignored him and didn’t return his messages.
“What’s the catch?”
“The catch? There is no catch. I just want to spend time with you and have a meal together. Maybe watch a movie, ifyou want to? Plus, I ordered a shit ton of food for us to share. Wouldn’t want it to go to waste.”
