Page 69 of Worth Loving You

The song switched to one I didn’t recognize, and the girls squealed with excitement, changing their rhythm to something more erotic. Though Jennifer continued to cast seductive gazes my way, I ignored her, unable to take my sight off Chastity. Her back to me, she dropped to a squat, her knees jutted to the sides.

My jaw fell, my stomach plummeting. Her cheeks parted for the seam of the shorts, the lights making her smooth skin shimmer.

“That’s my girl!” Jennifer hollered, dancing around her.

She giggled and slowly rose, twirling on her toes to join hands with her friend once more.

“Goddamn,” I muttered, taking another drag.

The doorbell rang and she emitted a shrilly, excited tone. Clapping her hands, she left Jennifer’s side and skipped to the foyer. My sight followed her until I had to move my head to keep seeing her, then focused on the cherry of my cigarette. Confusion spinning my brain, I cleared my throat and shifted my weight, tugging at the seam of my jeans.

A moment later, Chastity was prancing back to the living room, dropping a box of pizza to the sofa beside me. Leaning over, she ruffled my hair, patted my cheek, and looked down at the drawing.

“What’s that?” she shouted over the music.

Embarrassed, I coughed and tried to cover it with my palm. “It’s nothing. Trash.”

Swatting my fingers aside, she tipped her head, coming within a couple inches of my face. My pulse slowed, my focus tracing every curve and freckle.

“Holy crap. Is that for Wanderlust?”

My throat constricting, I gave a stiff nod.

“No, way. You’re artistic?”

Something prickled my nerves, my breaths shallowing. “I mean, ahem. I…I guess. I…d-designed all my tattoos.”

Her brows lifting, she tilted her head without putting distance between us so I could smell the coffee on her lips and tongue. Smiling, she said, “No, shit? You’ve got talent, then, huh?”

My insides fell, everything stilling. She thought I had talent? Other than my fighting skills or shooting abilities, no one had ever thought I had worth anywhere else, for that didn’t fit into being a Pampinella guard.

“So…you…like it?”

“I love it. Thank you. My new logo, right there.”

Her nose wrinkling with a brilliant smile, she stood upright and strutted closer to her friend, resuming their playing.

Stunned, my mouth was slightly open, my vision tracing the lines of the design. She liked it? She thought I had value outside of what I was born to do? Who the hell was this woman?

My brows furrowing, I smashed out the cigarette and flipped the lid of the pizza box. Yet again, there was a whirl of emotions coursing through my system at seeing my favorite toppings. Pineapple, extra pepperoni, and bell peppers. Knowing she hated pineapple on her pizza, I had to assume she’d bought this specifically for me.

My throat constricted, my sight darting to her through my lashes. It was a goddamn pizza, just a pizza. So why was it stirring a fuzziness in my chest? Why did it speak volumes she thought about me?

Tearing a piece off, I bit off the end, following her every move. I had severely misjudged Chastity. She was neither ugly, offensive, nor annoying. She was actually kind of wonderful.

Chapter 26

Chastity Monroe

It was storming and getting cold with the summer winding down. The sky dark and ominous, lightning split through the dark gray clouds, flicking brightly and followed with an instant boom of thunder that had the floor vibrating.

I was exhausted. The day had been grueling, me and Wyatt scrubbing every inch of Wanderlust Masseuse from ceiling to floor. Another day like this, and I would be ready for my grand opening.

Pulling on my thin, black trench coat, I adjusted the collar and buttoned it closed. “You ready?” I snipped, throwing the strap of my backpack over my shoulder.

He clapped his hands together, knocking dust off and huffed. “Yeah.” He snatched his jacket off the hook by the entrance and donned it while stepping to the hallway. I closed and locked the door, and we walked in silence to the elevators.

The last few weeks had been awkward with him, but I was in denial about the whole situation. I told myself as long as he wasn’t currently hitting on me, everything was fine. I convinced myself that what happened that night was just a weird moment, and it didn’t mean anything. After all, he hadn’t even glimpsed my way provocatively since.