Page 32 of Worth Loving You

I nodded, dropping my leg to get a piece of pizza.

“Well, color me jealous.”

Snorting, I picked at a pepperoni. “You were a kid, having sex with another kid. This is a grown, fucking man, with years of experience.”

“Yeah, that’s true. So, what happened after that?”

“He fucked me again.”

Another doubletake, her stare astounded. “What?”

“Yup. We actually spent about five hours today, going at it.”

“Chastity Lou!”

“I mean, it wasn’t nonstop. We rested, we ate, we watched a little television, and we talked. He’s actually kinda funny…you know, when he’s not being an egotistical, narcissistic bastard.”

Retrieving her slice, she took a bite, shaking her head. “I swanny. When you decide to do somethin’, you really do it.”

I giggled, nibbling the food.

“What about your job? Ain’t you pissed about that?”

My chewing slowed, my focus darting to her. Forcing the food down my throat, I coughed and sniffled. “Well, um, initially, I was, but then he offered me that job with him again. And I said no, so he upped the money.”

Bit by bit, her lashes lifted to meet my gaze. She was breathing faster, her skin turning gray. “Chazzy…”

“I finally gave in at five grand a week.”

The food slipped from her fingers, hitting the box with an odd thwack. “You’re yankin’ my chain.”

Tossing my piece down, I bent over, opened the drawer, got the envelope, and flung it to her lap. She was trembling when she opened it and dumped the stacks.

“Oh, Lord almighty!” she shrieked, slapping her hands over her mouth. She picked up one of the stacks and thumbed through the bills, her lids wide with awe. “I don’t believe all this. What the hell is goin’ on?” Flinging the bills on the envelope, she fanned her hands out. “What the heck? I mean, what does this mean for you? You’re his woman now?”

I cringed, bowing my head with shame. “I’m his favorite woman.”

“His favorite, what does…” Her eyes bulged, and she paled yet again, her mouth wide open. “Chastity Lou Monroe! Are you sayin’ you ain’t his only woman?”

I chewed my thumbnail and stiffly shook my head. “No,” I whispered, hating that my emotions were rising.

“And you’re okay with this? How much money does this man make that he can afford to pay all his girlfriends like this?”

“Just me. I’m the only one he’s doing this for.”

“Are you sure ‘bout that?” she huffed, folding her arms.

“What do I care? I’m not in love with him, Christ, I don’t even like him.”

“But you slept with him,” she whispered and squinted.

“Yeah, so? It was just sex. I’m twenty-six years old, you said so yourself, it was time I get laid. I did that, I had fun, it felt amazing, and now I’m five thousand dollars richer. I don’t give two shits what he does with whom when I’m not around. He promised to take care of me, that’s all I care about.”

“Can you really do this, Chazz? This kinda lifestyle ain’t gonna be easy. Can you handle it? What if you catch feelin’s?”

Huh. That was one “what if” I hadn’t considered.

I gathered the money and shoved it all back in the envelope. “Can’t catch feelings for a man I can’t stand.”