“We would be terrible spies!” I double over as the sound of our cackles fills the room.
I LOST MY VIRGINITY TODAY.
Yes, I may have slept with other women, but for the first time, I didn’t bind one or spank one or bring one to tears. Instead, I just poured my entire heart and soul into loving another human being. So, as far as I’m concerned, today is the day I officially lost my virginity.
I’ll never regret it was with Ellie, either; even if this thing between us doesn’t work out, which I pray to God that it does. She is the only one who deserves to own that part of me. She’s the only one I want to own it.
“Have you heard anything else from our friend visiting the Aloha State?” I ask Jett as casually as if asking for the time.
“Quiet as a mouse. Juice has ears to the ground. If he’s up to something, we’ll know.”
“Shit.” My jaw ticks. Twelve months without an inkling of retribution and suddenly this guy surfaces out of the blue. “It doesn’t feel right.”
“Well, there’s no sense making waves if we don’t have to.”
“The last thing I want is to be caught off guard.” I glare at Jett sternly. “Like last time.”
“No one wants that.” Jett pulls on the collar of his light-blue dress shirt, scanning the restaurant. “Just let Juice and Endeavor handle it for now. You have more important things to worry about,” he says as Ellie and London approach, arm in arm, falling all over each other, laughing. I shoot Jett a questioning look. He just shrugs. “That bathroom must have magic toilet paper or something,” he mutters under his breath.
“Apparently.” Considering Ellie was as stiff as a board when she left with London a few minutes ago, and now they look like best friends. We both stand when the girls reach the table.
“Is there an inside joke you want to let us in on?” Jett asks London, which seems to make her and Ellie giggle harder.
“Nope.” She tries to compose herself by turning away. Ellie just looks up at me smiling brightly, her cheeks pink and eyes soft.
“What’s that smile for?” I ask.
“No reason. Just because,” she says sweetly.
I glance at Jett once more. He just smirks. Alrighty then, magic toilet paper it is.
“What do you like, Ellie? London asks fanning herself with the menu. She’s finally pulled herself together.
“Everything. I eat everything,” she informs her.
“Exempt sesame seeds,” I chime in.
Ellie whips her head up at me. “How did you know I was allergic to sesame seeds?”
I shrug. “I know everything I need to know about you.”
“Oh really?”
“Mmm hmm.” I lean in close to her, getting a whiff of her sweet smelling perfume. “Elizabeth Anne Stevens, born August twenty-eighth to Alec and Monica Stevens. Sister Tara, three years younger. You attended Long Island City High School in Queens. You ran track, which explains why you’re so damn fast.” I smile from the memory of chasing Ellie down the hall at Mansion, and being surprised at how quick she was. “You also graduated with honors. Shortly after that, you were hired at Expo, a small but thriving import/export company owned and operated by Mark J. Atkins, where you quickly moved up the ranks from secretary to personal assistant. Your favorite color is purple, your blood type is O, and your favorite cupcake flavor is a toss-up between red velvet and lemon drop.” I flash her a haughty grin.
Ellie’s eyes are as wide as green soda bottles by the time I finish speaking.
“Kayne, that’s creepy.”
“It’s my job to know things, Ellie.”
“Still. Creepy.”
“Creepy enough to scare you away?”
“No, although I am curious, Super Stalker Extraordinaire. You know I’m allergic to sesame seeds, but do you know how I found out?” Ellie asks loud enough for everyone at the table to hear.
“Um . . .”
