I have never once misled him or allowed him to think that there could be anything more than a few hookups between us. But he’s like a dog with a fucking bone. He seems to think he can ‘change’ me or some bullshit. That I’ll fall so hard for him I’ll forget everything else in my life and suddenly become a good little housewife. Un-fucking-likely.
I told him from… well, day two, I guess. That we were not exclusive, that I didn’t want a relationship, that while he might be a repeat, he wasn’t to think for even a second that he was my only one.
He agreed quickly, I assumed because the sex was pretty insane, but as time has gone on I’m realising that it’s more than just sex.For him at least.
But, at this point, I’m figuring that that’s on him, not me. I’ve laid down my intentions for my future and his place in it time and time again. What else can I do?
“You look stressed, baby,” he says, his eyes tracking every inch of my face.
“Yeah, well, life is like that,” I say, twisting out of his grasp before he does something stupid like try and kiss me.
“Let me take you for dinner,” he offers.
“Seriously?” I ask, looking down at myself.
“Yes. Go put something sexy on and I’ll take you out.”
“I can’t,” I say, gesturing to my laptop and the books littering my coffee table.
“I can order ahead. You need a break and it’ll help clear your head. Then you can come back and continue.”
My stomach growls, mourning the loss of the noodles.
I should say no, send him on his way and order a pizza. Not that I can afford to. My rent is due in a few days, and it’s already touch and go as to whether I’m going to have enough. I do still havehiscredit card stored in my app though... I could order myself a feast at his expense.
“Fine. But we’re going Italian because I want carbs. Call that place you took me to that’s only a few streets over and place an order.” I rattle off what I want as I rush through into my bedroom.
“That’s better,” he says with what should be a knee-weakening smile when I return in a pair of skinny jeans, a fitted jumper that shows off a little cleavage, light make-up, and my freshly curled hair. “Damn, I missed you,” he says, rushing toward me and slamming his lips down on mine before I have a chance to react.
Thankfully—and probably for fear of wearing my lipstick—it’s only a chaste kiss, but it’s enough to make me feel all kinds of icky after the past few days with Nico.
It’s never bothered me before. But something has changed since I acquired my place at Knight’s Ridge and I find that I’m now questioning everything. And as much as I might like men—okay, more specifically, their dicks—I’m almost at the point where I’m going to swear off all of them in favour of my vibrating friends for a while. They deliver nearly as much pleasure and a hell of a lot less drama. And that’s exactly what I need right now.
Proving me right, the second he pulls back, he wipes the back of his hand across his mouth, inspecting for stray make-up.
Nico would never do that,a little voice says in my head. He’d wear it like a badge of honour.
Cursing myself for letting my head drift back to him once more, I let Brad take my hand and lead me out of my flat.
The second we’re out and I’ve locked up, he throws his arm around my shoulders and starts telling me about the work trip he’s just been on. I immediately zone out.
At least I’m going to get decent carbs out of this. It’s just a shame that I’m going to refuse any sex-ercise to burn it off after.
16
NICO
“What the fuck?” I breathe when I push through my front door and the floral scent of cleaning products hits my nose a beat before freshly baked— “Jocelyn?”
I kick my shoes off and dump my bag beside them as I walk deeper into my flat.
And just as I suspected, standing in the middle of my kitchen, wearing her standard uniform and apron that Mum always insisted on, is the woman who’s almost single-handedly kept me somewhat sane over the past few years. She can’t really take the credit for being the one to bring Calli and me up. We had nannies and many, many housekeepers before her. But there was something special about Jocelyn that we both saw on her very first day.
She smiles softly at me as I continue to cut through the room toward her.
“I hope you don’t mind. Calli said you could do with a little help and—”
I cut her words off with a hug that I’m not entirely sure she’s expecting.