Despite the horny bitch in me trying to avoid anotherorgasm-lessnight, I wanted to spend more time with Luca. We’d only scratched the surface, but he was already more open than my last partner, albeit more complicated. I didn’t know how to navigate our budding relationship.
“Sure. Get home safe.”
He kissed my forehead and left without saying anything else.
Ryan hopped up on my lap, clearly pleased it was just the two of us again. “What a letdown? Huh, bud?”
He purred, his head ramming into my hand as I petted him.
“I guess I’m taking care of myself yet again.”
For the fourth Friday in a row, I took abattery-operatedtrip to bliss.
* * *
“Not acceptable. They were supposed to be here yesterday, and now you’re telling me it’ll be another week?”
A set ofretro wingback chairs I’d sent out to be reupholstered was MIA, and I had apissyclient breathing down my neck. The vendor was an artist who hand-painted fabrics and didn’t seem too concerned with deadlines or signed contracts.
As he droned on about the delays, I paced my small office.
Movement from across the hall caught my eye. Ashley pushed Malcolm out of her office and slammed the door. Shaking his head, he took a step away before turning back and leaning against the wall. He looked like a moody spread in a fashion magazine. The white of his shirt contrasted beautifully with his dark brown skin, and his charcoal slacks were tailored to fit his impressive height—pure perfection, except for the scowl on his face. Rubbing a hand down his waves, I caught his eye, and he glared at me, jaw tensing, then stormed out of the office.
“Just friends, my ass.”
“I’m sorry, what was that, Ms. Mitchell?”
“Nothing. I want those chairs here by Friday, or I’ll be letting everyone know exactly what they can expect when they work with you. You got me, Adams?”
There was a pause,and then, in a mouse-like voice,Scott replied,“Yes, Ms. Mitchell.”
“Great. See you in two days.”I hung up, done with the entire conversation, and man.
An hour later, Ashley peeked out her office door. When she looked at me, I raised an eyebrow.Since when was she hesitant to barge into my office?
Shaking her head, she trudged inside. “Today is a total fucking nightmare, Sash.” She flung her body onto my cozy chair, her dark cloud-like hair bouncing as she landed.
I closed my laptop. The bathroom remodel I was working on would have to wait. “What happened? Malcolm looked pissed.”
At the mention of Malcolm’s name, she shot straight up in the chair. “Oh, that fucker. He was mad? I should shove my heel up his ass.”
Leaning back, I held my hands up. “Hey man, I’m not the enemy. What did he do this time?”
“He had Ben followed.”Ashley shrunk back in her chair,staring at the opposite wall.
“Wait. What?”
She cracked her knuckles, a habit she struggled to break. “Yeah. Apparently, I haveshittaste in men, and Malcolm thought it was his job to have my boyfriend followed.”
“That’s so weird. I don’t even know what to say.”
“Right? But guess what he found out?”
All I knew was if Ben was cheating on her, I’d murder that fool.
“Ben doesn’t go to the office.”
My rage dissipated. Frowning, I said, “I don’t think I understand.”