“No, nothing else happened.”
“Then why do you sound so unsure?”
“I wish I could figure that out. I don't really know. I enjoy working for him, I'm glad I'm selling artwork and painting. I'm having ahhhmazing sex. But something nags at me.”
“Uh-oh.”
My stomach sinks. “What?”
“I suspect feelings.”
“What? No. That's crazy.”
“You're fucking all the time. That's not crazy.”
“I don't want feelings, though. This is a business deal with benefits, so to speak.”
“Sex comes with feelings. It's a hard thing to shut off, especially when you enjoy your time spent together. Just see where it goes. He's off relationships altogether?”
“Pretty much. He won't speak about his past and told me straight up that we only have sex, and that's it. I offered the sex part to him, so what can I even expect? I should've known.”
“You little slut you.” We both laugh. “Just take your time and see where it goes.”
“I guess. I just don't want to end up brokenhearted.”
“First of all, if that happens, we destroy him and his shop. No, just kidding. But I will hurt him. And look at the bright side, your business will have grown, and you got great sex. Win-win for you, chick.”
Leigh always makes me feel better. “You're right. Why not? Why not use a man for once?”
“Exactly. And if you end up falling in love with each other, well, that'll make for a damn good love story. Now let's plan our girls’ night next week.”
We discuss Becca coming into town and the trouble we can get into. I miss seeing my friends more often, and I make a small promise to spend more time with them.
After hanging up with Leigh, I hop out of bed and gather my painting supplies. The house is quiet—who knows where my parents are—and I easily slip out of the house without making much noise.
Setting up my supplies in the backyard, I settle in to paint. The starry night sky with the romantic glow of the moon is one of my favorite things to bring to life with my paint. Since I was a little girl, I've worked hard to perfect my night sky, drawing moon after moon and star after star until I felt it was good enough. I'd adjust the colors just right, playing with the different shades and mixes.
My passion for art pours out onto the paintings, the world I appreciate being portrayed in a way that's beautiful to me.
After a while, my mind drifts to Cole and my conversation with Leigh earlier.
I guess when the sex is just that damn good, you make that shit work. Not to mention how my business is benefiting.
Our sex is off the charts. Fucking amazing and sinfully addicting.
I’ve never had pure chemistry like this. Before we knew each other’s minds and personalities fully, we discovered the lust between us, devouring every inch of each other. Dirty, hot, carnal. Never in my wildest dreams did I experience sex like this.
I never want it to stop.
But these things, they don’t last forever.
Not the type of arrangement we have.
Those promises you make? Those agreements you swear by?
They crack and break.
Just like your heart.