After he leaves, I hop in the shower, relishing the heat and using all the products he ordered for me. Higher end soaps and shampoos, conditioners so creamy they feel like silk. After pampering myself for a good forty minutes, I get out and wrap myself in a fluffy pink robe, also courtesy of Ransome. Or Apex.
Or the Russian mob.
Jesus. I can’t help but think about everything we just talked about. This is dangerous stuff. It’s not that I didn’t know that already, but I now know more about it than I’d like. Not only are we talking about one of the biggest cocaine operations in the country (if not THE biggest), I am involved with the man running the whole shebang.
That in and of itself is a lot to take in.
But last night is also a lot to take in. I have never, in all my life, been fucked like that. As I look in the bathroom mirror to apply makeup, I see marks on my neck. My arms. My collarbone. He claimed me, freckling me with tiny bite marks and hickies. And as bad as it sounds… I don’t hate it.
I cover them up with makeup, only so when I go have lunch with Electra she won’t ask too many questions. Not about that, anyways.
We meet at a deli nearby. As usual, she is a million miles an hour.
“How did you get a day off?” she asks, spooning up some potato salad. “A weekday nonetheless.”
I just offer a half shrug. “He has meetings and said he doesn’t need me.”
Electra’s eyes narrow in suspicion. “He makes you do his laundry. The man always needs you.”
“Not today,” I smile casually.
“Hmm. Well, who am I to question it? I’m just glad you’re here. I want to talk about my new man.”
I nearly drop my turkey croissant. “Another one?”
“No. The same one I’ve been going out with.”
“Wow. Can’t believe he stuck around,” I joke.
“He did. No fucking clue why, but we’re still going out. I think it’s safe to say we’re exclusive,” she grins.
I give her my best, scandalousooh.“Well, well, look at you! That’s exciting. You’ll have to let me meet this living saint you’ve managed to snare.”
“He’s either that or an axe murderer.”
“Or a cannibal.”
“Or a drug kingpin.”
We burst out laughing.
As I sit with my friend having lunch on the sunny patio, I feel good. For the first time in a long time, I feel really good about things. Like they’re finally looking up instead of down.
I just pray it’ll last.
41
RANSOME
“Can I do anything else for you, Mr. Rozanov?”
Hearing Amara address me in a professional manner after staying the night with her, all night, in the same bed, then having breakfast and talking business in our underwear is… I’m not gonna lie. It’s kind of hot. I’m actually digging the contrast.
“No, Miss Parker. I’m good for now.”
Today, unlike most days, I don’t walk out of my office after looking over my schedule. Typically, I have people to talk to, or people to glare at and make sure they’re getting shit done.
But today, I have a slightly different agenda.
