Chloe
I’m just putting the finishing touches on a bracelet when my phone rings. I get that familiar warm, tingly feeling in my belly when Joe’s name pops up on my screen. Over the past week, this is what our relationship, if that’s what this is, has entailed: long phone calls or texting back and forth for hours.
Things have gotten better this past week. I feel great physically, and I’m getting there mentally and emotionally. I’ve been dodging Reggie and Elizabeth’s calls because I just don’t want to deal with them. I’m still really hurt that my trust was betrayed like it was. Hailey has been super nice, but I’m figuring it’s the guilt talking…maybe. I’ve kept things with us professionally pleasant.
She doesn’t know how I found out, and she hasn’t brought it up, so why should I? She’d probably just run back to her sister anyway. My parents have finally stopped hovering and looking at me with those sad looks. Of course it’s because I finally had to sit them both down and state it very clearly that I was okay.
I answer the phone and put it on speaker so I can work and talk. “Hey, you. How’s it going?”
“I fucking miss you.” I love when his voice gets growly. He can’t see the huge smile on my face.
“I miss you, too. Are you working right now?”
“No, I just got home. It was a long fucking day. I think I’m going to shower and head to bed soon. What are you doing?”
“Working on a bracelet, and then I was going to pour myself a glass of wine and watch iZombie.”
My doorbell chimes, and I get up, moving through the house. “Joe, are you still there?” I look through the window and can’t help the big smile on my face. Ripping the door open, I can’t help but squeal. “What are you doing here? I thought you were just getting home from work.”
“Are you going to let me in?” I push open the screen door and jump into Joe’s arms. “I take it you’re happy to see me.”
“Yes, so happy.” He carries me into the house while I continue to smile at him. “What are doing here? I thought you worked today.”
“I was supposed to, but I switched with someone and wanted to surprise you. I hope that was okay.” He starts to look unsure of himself even though I’m in his arms.
“Of course it’s okay. I do have a little gig tonight.”
“A little one?”
I smile at him. “It’s little because it’s just me and the piano.”
“Is it okay if I come watch?” It gives me a little thrill that he wants to come watch me.
I kiss his forehead. “Of course you can. Just FYI: my parents, Carter, and Eli will be there.”
I don’t miss the way he slightly cringes at my words. “Hey, I promise they’ll behave. It sucks sometimes being the only female. They’re all protective of me.”
He reaches up and tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “I can see why they would be. It’ll be fine. Show me what you were working on?”
Unfortunately, he sets me down. Grabbing his hand, I lead him to my spare bedroom that’s part workshop, part music room. He gazes around the room—I’m sure taking in the pictures of me in musicals, talent shows, and pageants when I was younger. I don’t keep them up because I’m vain or anything but just to remind me of a fun time in my life.
“God, you were beautiful back then, too.”
How can this man make me blush? “Thank you. You can sit in here and hang out with me if you want. I just need to finish this bracelet. It’s for Eli’s mom.” I sit back down on my stool. “Help yourself to something to drink. You can sit in here with me or watch TV in the living room if you want.”
He kisses the top of my head before disappearing. I stick my earbuds in and turn on some working music—Classical. A minute later, I feel him reenter the room and sit down next to me. My fingers work quickly to add the last of the gemstones, and then I tie off the end and attach the clasp.
Now that it’s finished, I spray it with a gentle cleanser to get all my fingerprints off. Once it’s all polished, I place it in a little box and then tie it with my signature lavender ribbon.
I clean up my space. Joe heads out in the living room, and when I enter, I find him sitting on the sofa watching baseball. I move around and sit down next to him. He wraps his arm around my shoulders. “I’m really glad you’re here.” I smile up at him, and he leans down, kissing my forehead.
“I’m glad. I almost turned around twice because I didn’t want to seem like a creepy stalker, but I just wanted to see you. Do you want to go have dinner before you play tonight?”
“Sure. What were you thinking?”
“Last time I was up here, I saw a steakhouse by the hotel. It’s called Vaughn’s. Have you been there?”
“I don’t think I have, but that sounds great.”
He gives my shoulder a squeeze. “I know it might be presumptuous, but I brought an overnight bag. I’m going to get it, okay?”
I smile at him. “Yes, of course.” He gets up and runs outside to grab it. While he’s outside, his phone chirps. My eyes drift toward it and see a text alert from someone named Shaya. Ugh, why did I look? It’s not my business. He said he wasn’t going to sleep with anyone while whatever this is was happening, and I need to trust that and him.
Joe steps back in with his bag slung over his shoulder. “I’m going to stick this in your bedroom.”
While he does that, my mind keeps going back to his phone and this Shaya girl. Who is she?…No, I’m not going to be that girl. He’s not Trevor.
Trevor Phillips had been the love of my life, or so I thought. We were together for five years, and I thought he was the one until I learned that I wasn’t his only girlfriend and one was pregnant. I swear it turned into an episode of Maury.
A smile touches my lips when I remember the way he showed up at the apartment we’d shared to get his stuff. Trevor had called me a slut, and my pops punched him right in the face. Last I heard, he’s still single, has two kids by two different women, and pays a ton in child support.
Then there was the Teddy debacle, but when I look back, that was more of a rebound, and it was the catalyst that had me seeking Joe out.
Yes, both of those guys have given me a little bit of trust issues, and it’s made me a little more selective. Joe isn’t the usual type I’d go for. He’s charismatic and gorgeous, and women look at him like he’s a meal. I know his reputation, but can I trust that he’ll be faithful with me?
“What time do you have to be at your gig tonight?” He sits back down, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.
“I have to be there at eight thirty, and I go on at nine. We should probably go to dinner at six or so—unless that’s too early, of course.”
“Not at all.” He picks up his phone. I watch as he pulls up Shaya’s text and then deletes it.
“Everything okay?” What am I doing? I cringe and wish I kept silent.
He looks at me, giving me a smile. “Yeah, just an old hookup checking in.” Joe turns fully toward me. “I meant what I said. While this—whatever this is—is going on, there won’t be anyone else.
“Before you, there have been other women…I won’t lie, and I’m not ashamed. I’ve never lied to any of them. They all knew I wasn’t looking for anything serious. I’ve also never treated any of them poorly. If that’s going to be a problem, tell me now and we can end things. If it’s not, then let’s get ready to go out to a fantastic dinner, and then I can watch you play later.”
“Thank you for that. I appreciate your honesty. I dated a guy for five years—actually, we lived together, and he had this whole secret life and even had a baby on the way while we were together. It’s made me slightly paranoid. You’ll have to bear with me.” Joe grabs a strand of my hair and pulls me to him.
Our lips meet in a slow, sensual glide. Our tongues meet and duel—I moan as he deepens the kiss. Pushing up onto my knees, I lean into him, gripping his shirt in my fists. I feel one of his hands slide into my hair, grabbing it at the base of my skull. I whimper from the bite of pain as he gives it a jerk and nips at my bottom lip.
Joe might be only twenty-four, but he’s got the bedroom skills of a much older, more experienced man. He pulls away first, and I really want to pout. “I wasn’t done with you yet,” I murmur against his lips.
“I know, but if we don’t stop, we won’t make dinner and you won’t make your show. Why don’t you get ready? I just need to change my clothes.”
He’s right, and I do need to get ready. I’ve already showered, so I just have to do my hair and makeup and then get dressed. “Okay, you can get ready in my room. I’ll be in the bathroom.” I kiss him before getting up and heading into the bathroom.
It doesn’t take long for me to do my face. I give my eyelids a smoky look that makes the blue pop and add a little color to my cheeks to give them a dewy look. I decide to use a popping red on my lips.
My ebony locks hang in smooth waves down my back. The front is twisted and pinned back from my face, showing off the diamond stud earrings my grandma bought me for my thirtieth birthday. They go with the matching solitaire that hangs around my neck.
The dress I chose for tonight is hanging on the back of the door. It’s a royal blue capped sleeve midi dress that hits me right below my knees. It hugs my curves and makes me feel so sexy. I slip it on and smooth my hands over the material. After dabbing my face with a little powder, I stick it and my lipstick in my little bag.
After dabbing some perfume on, I open the bathroom door. I move across the hall to my bedroom and grab my black stiletto pumps, slipping them on before heading into the living room. Joe is standing in front of the TV, and it gives me a second to admire his sexy backside, which looks spectacular in his black dress pants. He turns as I walk farther into the room, and the look on his face makes my pussy tingle.
His eyes rake over my body, and it does an involuntary shiver. He stalks toward me, and I automatically back up until I’m against the wall. Grabbing my wrists, he pulls my arms up over my head then shackles them with one hand. My breath leaves me in little pants as his other hand wraps around my throat.
Can he see my pulse pounding in my neck? Can he feel it? His heated gaze holds mine as his hand slides from my neck to my breasts. A gasp slips past my lips as his thumb grazes my nipple. “You are so fucking beautiful.” His hand begins moving again, slowly down my stomach until he reaches the hem of my dress.
Joe leans forward until our lips are almost touching. I moan as I feel him lift my dress, his hand sliding up my bare thigh. His touch is firm, demanding. He reaches the apex of my thighs, and a sexy growl comes from his lips. It’s because he’s discovering I’m not wearing any panties.
Thank God I just got waxed last week. His fingers slide through my slick folds, and I moan. I think he’s going to kiss me, but instead of touching my lips, he touches my chin and then my neck.
I want to touch him so bad, but he won’t let go of me. My breasts feel heavy, my pussy aches to be filled, and I want his lips on mine. He works one finger inside me. My head hits the wall with a thunk, but I don’t care.
Meow…Meow. Ragnar and Lagertha had been lounging in my room on my bed all day, and now they’ve decided to come out and visit. Joe pulls away from me, and we both look down. Both cats have gotten in between us and are staring at us. I start to laugh, and Joe joins in as we stare at these little monsters.
I look up at Joe. “They’ve been sleeping all day. I swear they are doing this just to be brats.” He pulls his finger out of me and brings it to his lips, licking my juices off it. My eyes don’t leave his mouth while he does it.
“Mmmm…” Joe moans around his finger. “You taste so fucking good.”
“You’re making me want to cancel my gig tonight and take you to bed.” He lets go of my wrists, and I wind my arms around his neck. “I haven’t had the chance yet to tell you how handsome you look.” He gives me that cocky smirk, but I love it.
“Go ahead and tell me.” I shake my head.
“You look so handsome.” I playfully pinch his cheeks. I slide past him while he adjusts himself and go into the kitchen, where I get my babies a treat.
Joe comes into the kitchen. “We better leave now or we seriously won’t leave.”
I move toward him and run my hands over the white linen shirt he’s wearing. His sleeves are rolled up to his forearms. It really is a crime to look as good as he does. My hand slides down and cups his dick, which is semi hard. “Poor baby.” He growls as he moves toward me.
“No big boy. No more hanky panky. I promise when we get back tonight, I’ll make it worth your while.” I hold my hands up in a halting gesture.
“How will you make it worth my while?”
I lock up and let Joe lead me to his car. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”