“Thank you, Travis.”
At that moment, the waiter returns with our gyros and Caitlin looks at the meat with excitement before taking a huge bite. She gasps as the flavors hit her tongue.
“Oh my goodness, this is incredible!”
“I’m glad you like it,” I say with a grin.
She takes another big bite, moaning melodically as she swallows. That’s another thing I like about Caitlin. She’s not shy about food, unlike all those twig-thin women who order only a salad and don’t even eat it. I hate it when women pick at their meals. It makes me uncomfortable, and then I feel like I have to hold back from eating as well.
Suddenly, Caitlin’s phone buzzes on the table. Without missing a beat, she silences it and digs back into her gyro while letting out another ecstatic moan of pleasure.
“It’s okay if you need to answer that,” I say with a grin.
Caitlin swallows while patting her lips with a napkin.
“No, it’s just my best friend, Cammie. I told her that I was staying with you and now she’s freaking out. My phone is blowing up.”
I chuckle.
“Sounds like she’s a good friend.”
“Oh, she’s the best. I’m lucky to know her.”
“Were you going to stay with her if I didn’t come around?”
Caitlin thinks for a moment. “Cammie offered, but she has three siblings. They live with her parents in a cramped two-bedroom apartment, so realistically, there was no space for me. The Forsters are really nice and would have found a way, but I didn’t want to put them out.”
“Wow.”
Cait nods.
“Yeah. Cammie always came to my house for a reprieve from the chaos of her home, and I always went to her place when my stepmom got to be too much. It’s okay.”
I put down my fork for a moment. “Well, you know that we have plenty of space. You could invite her over for a visit.”
Caitlin shakes her head furiously. “Oh no, I don’t want to impose. It’s your mansion, and your private space. It’s too much to ask.”
I grin. “Honey, you saw all the extra space I have. And I’m at work all day too. Your friend is welcome to come over. I’ll even lift the lingerie rule, so you can be clothed like a normal person. Is that what was holding you back?”
She brightens and then giggles.
“Yeah, sort of. I mean, Cammie and I are good friends, but she doesn’t want to see me in my bra and panties. We don’t have that kind of a relationship.”
I laugh but then her phone buzzes again. “Maybe you should invite her for dinner tonight. After all, it seems like she’s freaking out and won’t stop calling,” I say while eyeing the phone meaningfully.
“Really? Is that okay?” Cait says, her eyes bright.
“Yeah definitely. I don’t want your friends to think you’re chained up in the basement or something. Although we can do that, if you’re interested.”
Cait merely giggles.
“Oh you!” But then she quickly picks up, squeals as she greets her friend, and invites her over before nodding and hanging up.
“It’s done!” she announces. “You’ll be meeting Cammie later this week. She can’t wait either.”
I raise an eyebrow at her.
“Did you tell your friend about our arrangement?”
“I did. I mentioned it in a text this morning. Is that okay?”
“Of course. There are no secrets between us. Being discreet is different from having secrets, sweetheart. You know that.”
Cait nods.
“I know, I know, and Cammie’s not the judgmental type anyways. If anything, she’s really excited for me because she always thought I was way too boring and repressed. If anything, this is a huge step in the right direction.”
I merely laugh, and to my surprise, my heart is light. It’s nice being here with Cait, enjoying a meal like a regular couple and sharing stories of ourselves. In fact, this feels a lot like a date.
But then I stop myself. We’re not dating. This is a transaction, and not a genuine, traditional relationship. I brought Caitlin home specifically to satisfy my sexual needs, and I haven’t even done that yet. But looking across the table at the delectable girl, I vow to remedy that as soon as possible.
7
Travis
* * *
When we get back to my mansion after lunch, there’s a huge box on the doorstep. I look around.
“That’s weird. Usually deliveries are taken to the back gate. But whatever. Let’s just bring it in.”
“Oh my god, could it be my new clothes from the boutique?” Caitlin gasps, her eyes round. “But we were just there! Wow, Chantecaille’s delivery is fast.”
I grin, heaving the box into my arms. It’s big, but not heavy.
“Well, let’s see. Come on, honey. Let’s go inside and open it up. I want to see you model some of that lingerie.”
She giggles, and after we enter, I put the box down in the foyer. Cait immediately begins tearing at the tape on the top. I have to laugh. It’s like Christmas for her, and her face is flushed as her eyes go wide with joy. But then she sits back with confusion on her heels.