Her friend’s response was thick with sarcasm. “Yeah, because sleeping with two guys by the age of twenty five is everyone’s definition of a whore.” Her tone grew more serious. “Besides, who would care if you were one? Slut, whore…those are just words men use to judge what they cannot control. And, more specifically, they were the words your ex used when you proved to him that you could survive when he left you. Don’t let him have any place in your head.”
Lil left her seat to join Alethea on hers and simply hugged her. She really should have called her last night instead of spending hours chasing her own thoughts around. Al always knew just what to say. What’s better than a friend who knows all the ugly corners of your soul and loves you anyway?
Alethea hugged her back and then said, “So, details, details.”
Lil shrugged. “It was good, but it doesn’t really matter. It won’t happen again. I’m not his type.”
“Apparently.”
“No, seriously, we agreed that it was a mistake.”
Alethea shook her head in mock sadness. “You mean you said it first.”
Lil held her fear in. He would have said it if I’d waited. Sometimes the anticipation was worse than the actual desertion.
“Well, what did he say?” her friend prompted.
“He agreed that it was a mistake.”
“And then?”
“And then he left.”
One line appeared on Alethea’s forehead, a sign that she found something puzzling. “And you haven’t seen him since?”
Lil looked away. “He came back, made sure I had groceries and watched Colby so I could study for my exam.”
Alethea barked out a laugh. “Wow, he sounds like such a jerk. You are so right to feel bad about the whole experience.”
Lil didn’t expect her friend to understand. Alethea was used to getting any man she wanted. “He only came back because Dominic had asked him to make sure I had settled in.”
“Yeah, probably. Not because he’s hot for you and wanted to see you again.”
“It’s not like that, Alethea.”
Alethea turned Colby around on her lap and started bouncing her again. “Lil, I get why you are like you are. Your parents left you, Asshole left you, now you feel like your sister left you. You don’t want to care because you’re afraid this guy will leave you, too. I get it. But while you wallow in all that fear, you’re missing out on some life changing opportunities.”
“I have to be more careful. I have Colby to think of…”
“I respect that, but don’t you think that you’ve whipped yourself enough for one mistake?”
Lil was instantly furious. “She is not a mistake.”
Alethea smiled and handed Colby back to Lil. “Exactly. Remember that.” She stood and tucked her blouse pristinely back into her slacks. “Well, I’m off to test the security system for a new optical fiber laser company. I got the contract through that guy you referred to me. Thanks.”
Lil stood. “Alethea? Wait. Abby is having a huge party this weekend in New York and she wants me to go.”
“Why does this sound like a question? You know you should.”
It wasn’t easy to admit the truth, but Lil was nervous about the party. First, she didn’t think she could face Jake alone again. Second, what did she know about high class events? Abby may have transitioned to the world of the wealthy with seemingly little issue, but Lil didn’t know where to begin to prepare it. “Will you come with me? I can’t go there alone.”
Her friend looked dubious and said, “You know Abby isn’t wild about me.
Lil reached for Alethea’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll talk to her. I’m sure she’ll add you to the list if I ask.”
Alethea returned the squeeze absently, her growing excitement with some idea quickly overshadowed her concern. “Big party at Dominic Corisi’s place?”
“No at his…”
A huge smile spread across Alethea’s face. “Sounds like something that would have the very best security.”
Oh, I shouldn’t have said anything. “No, Al. Can’t you just be there for me like a normal friend? Just this once?”
“I’ll be there,” Alethea promised in a tone that did not make Lil feel any better.
“I mean it.” Lil looked her friend right in the eye, hoping her friend would heed her advice this one time. “Don’t try to circumvent his security. He takes his privacy really seriously. You could get hurt.”
Alethea straightened proudly, tossing her head in a way that reminded Lil of a wild horse. “Or I could get in and imagine the contracts I would pull in after that.”
Lil groaned. “I’m imagining many possible outcomes and none of them good.”
“I’ll keep you on speed dial, okay?” Alethea mimed dialing her number. “First sign of trouble I’ll pretend I’m lost and I’ll call you. Does that make you feel better?”
“Not really.” Lil sighed. “You’re crazy, you know that?”
“Lucky for me, that was a mutual prerequisite to this friendship.”
“Think you’re so funny, huh?” Lil pulled her friend close for a one-arm-hug.
Alethea returned the hug and gave Colby a quick kiss on the cheek. “See you in New York, Lil.”
Conceding to the fact that nothing was likely to stop her friend at this point, Lil said, “It’s at Dominic’s…”
Alethea interrupted Lil before she let herself out of the penthouse. “Don’t tell me. You know it’s more fun for me to figure it out myself. Oh, and call your damn sister.”
A few minutes past eight that night, there was another knock at the door. Lil looked down at her black cotton t-shirt and matching sweat shorts. She wasn’t dressed for company, she was dressed for settling down with the bowl of popcorn she’d just made and watching the sappy movie she’d planned to escape into.
Why does this place even have an intercom if no one is going to use it? Lil swung the door open.
Jake.
Beautiful, perfectly groomed Jake. The man had probably been born in a charcoal suit. Lil’s hand went to the back of her neck instinctively pushing at the curls she knew had already broken free of the loose knot she’d tied them back in.
He looked as irritated as he sounded. “I could be anybody. No security system is going to keep you safe if you open the door for anyone who knocks.”
She was tempted to tell him how his “security” had already failed once that day, but she held her tongue. She didn’t bother to curb her sarcasm. “Hi, Jake. It’s nice to see you, too. I thought you went back to New York.”
He scowled. “I did.”
“Did you forget something here?” she asked sweetly. Was it wrong to hope the man wasn’t perfect?
He shook his head and walked toward her with purpose. The hair on the back of Lil’s neck tingled and she bit her lip. There was something different about him tonight. Something both dangerous and incredibly hot at the same time.
She took a step back.
“Where is Colby?” he asked softly, prowling toward her.
“In bed for the night,” Lil said hoarsely. Exactly where I should be, she thought. Alone, she added for the benefit of her raging libido.
He advanced until they were so close that she could see the desire burning in his eyes. “I have responsibilities in New York. Meetings scheduled. Documents to prepare before the weekend. I don’t have time for this,” he said gruffly.
Lil swallowed nervously, feeling desire whip through her in response. Was he saying that she thought he was saying?
“But I’m here.” He reached out and cupped the back of her head, pulling her closer, tilting her head up to his.
Lil licked her lips.Yes, you are.
“I can’t concentrate in New York. All I can think about is this…” His head swooped down and he claimed her. His tongue slipped inside her lips and drew an instant and overwhelming response from every inch of Lil. He was savoring, devouring her and she couldn’t get enough of it. She welcomed him passionately. Her hands slid beneath his jacket and gripped the rippling muscles of his back. He put a hand on her behind and pulled her against him, positioning her against his excitement. “And this.”