“Yes, most definitely.” I reach for a conch fritter. My mouth is already watering. Whatever the hell Jenn puts in these things, it’s like crack. “You need to try this. It’s my favorite dish on the menu.” I place a small fried ball on her plate.
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Simone picks up her fork and knife and digs in. I watch fascinated as she cuts into the breading, pokes a piece with her fork and brings the food to her lips. Is it wrong I get totally turned on when she eats? The way her mouth moves, slow and seductively. It sucks me right in.
“Wow.” She rolls her eyes and chews indulgently.
“Delicious, right?” I pop a whole fritter in my mouth.
“So good.” She moans. Dear Lord, let me get through this dinner without coming in my pants.
“Can I ask you something?”
Simone pauses, wide eyed, but eventually nods.
“Will you tell me a story, a funny story.”
Simone blinks at me bizarrely. I’m sure my request is strange, but I just want her to be as relaxed with me as she was with Shane and Chase. I want to hear her laugh and see her smile.
“I can.” The corners of her lips turn up.
“I’m all ears.” I settle in my seat, the sky almost black. Night is finally falling.
Simone wipes her mouth daintily with her napkin as she thinks. “Okay!” she perks up. “This elderly old man came into the ER one night. Feisty old thing, giving all the nurses hell. He wouldn’t let them undress him, or examine him, or take his blood pressure. And since I had warzone experience, they thought it would be entertaining to send me in to try with him. So, I went in, but before I did I unbraided my hair and unbuttoned my blouse. Not much, just two buttons, but I figured maybe I could distract him.” Simone rolls her eyes like the idea was ridiculous. I can tell you, I’d certainly be distracted. All the tops I’ve seen her wear have been modest, and cover mostly everything, arms, chest, cleavage. But her shorts and skirts? Holy hell, they’re almost nonexistent. I can’t tell you how many times she’s caught me staring at her legs, fantasizing about them wrapped around me. That old man got a damn treat.
So, what happened? Did yourFemme Fataleact work?”
“A little too well,” She laughs. “The elderly gentleman let me touch him all over. Then he proceeded to tell me that I looked like one of his ex-wives. And, of course, me being me, I asked him how many times he’d been married. He told me twice, and that he was currently looking at his third ex-wife.”
I spit my drink some. “He proposed?”
“The whole time he was there. He left me his phone number, his address, and the bottom line of his bank account before he was discharged.” Simone smiles fondly at the memory. She’s relaxed and open, just the way I want her, and receptive to me.
That guy is a man after my own heart, because if I thought she’d say yes, I’d propose right here, right now.
“I want to hear more.”
“You like crazy nurse stories?”
“Yes, and the crazy nurse who tells them.” I tease.
“I definitely have my moments.” She playfully pops another piece of conch fritter into her mouth. My cock twitches.
This goddamn woman is going to be the goddamn death of me.
7
Simone
Tonight’s dinnerwas one of the best I’ve had in a long time. A really long time.
Despite Ty’s aristocratic air, I enjoy spending time with him. He’s smart, funny, and surprisingly real. When all you know of a person is their reputation, and his is larger than life, you create an image in your head. You fabricate a personality, and although my fabrication wasn't that far off, I missed the humanity part. The realism of Ty. Adding that piece showcases him in a whole new light.
I wish I didn't like him as much as I do. I wish I didn't like him at all.
It would make my life so much less complicated.
Uncomplicated. Life used to be that way. It used to be easy.
I used to actually feel alive.
