Shit. He can’t pretend he’s rock hard. Brandi can’t see that from the table. Could he seriously be interested?
Never mind. I agreed to play his weekend girlfriend, not his vacation booty call. I’ve never been an easy chick that gives it up on the first date. Randy had to wait for six months before we had sex the first time. I cringe. Should have waited longer – until I came to my senses and realized he was a colossal assbag.
Slowly, I disengage my leg from around his and step back. “Well, that was quite a dance.”
“Yeah.” He drops his hands to his sides, and his eyes harden a fraction. “We should go back to the table.”
“Sure.” I nod and take a step.
He grabs my hand and laces his fingers through mine. Right. We have pretenses to keep up with.
* * *
ONCE THE REHEARSAL dinner is over, and Damon walks me to my room, I nod at him and slink into my suite. I need to put some distance between us before I become what Brandi called me – an easy tramp.
The rest of the evening had been uneventful, except for Damon’s hand resting on my thigh. His fingers never moved, but I wanted them to. It’s ridiculous. One second, I want to forget my good girl persona and jump between the sheets with him, and the next, I’m pissed off he wants me.
I don’t want him to be like all the other guys. I want him to look at me like I’m the only person in the room. Not the woman he’s using to keep his ex out of his pants.
Flopping on the bed, I stare up at the ceiling. When did I get so moody?
My phone buzzes, and I jump. Please, don’t be Randy. My eyes roll into my head. Grabbing the phone, I swipe the screen open. Dalilah.
Dalilah: What are you doing?
Me: In bed.
Dalilah: Alone?
Me: Yes.
Dalilah: Argggg.
When my phone rings, I chuckle. “Yes?”
“I can’t believe you’re in bed alone. I send you out on a mission, and you can’t follow simple instructions,” her voice is loud and exasperated. It’s pretty clear she’s had a couple of drinks.
“Sorry. I can’t help it that I’m not an easy lay.” I cringe. That makes me sound like a total judgy bitch, but Brandi’s words are still grating on my nerves.
“Pft. You aren’t even a lay.”
“Hey, enough. I resemble that remark.” I hit the pillow and laugh.
“It’s not funny. You need a man. Not some lame-ass like Randy.” She growls. “You don’t even know what it’s like to make out with some hot hunk.”
I cough.
“What was that?” Her voice is full of excitement. “Did my little princess find a man to play tonsil hockey with?”
“Maybe?” My face heats, and I fan myself.
“O.M.G. Tell me more.”
I hear her fall into the bed. I’ve seen it thousands of times over the years. She’s laying on top of her comforter with a tank top and some hoochie momma shorts that show off her ass cheeks; just in case some hot stud breaks down her apartment door looking for sugar, or there’s a fire. Dalilah is always prepared.
“Tell me about him.”
As I relay the events of the evening to her, she gasps more than once. More like ten or twenty times. That’s how boring I am.
“So, it was big?”
“Lord.” I throw my hands in the air. “Of everything I said, that’s the one point you took away?”
“Yes. That’s the one point I took away. He sounds hot. He’s older, which means he has experience. He’s a good guy based on the interactions you had with his family. And his cock could be used as a hammer. What else am I supposed to take away from your story?”
I purse my lips and stare at the painting on the wall. It’s an abstract forest with hints of blue behind the trees, almost like they are shadows of people peeking between the foliage. “I guess that’s about as good as anything.”
“Are you going to see him tomorrow?”
“I don’t know.” I roll over and climb off the soft white comforter.
As I stand in front of the mirror above the box seat, I frown. Shit. Does he still want me to be his pretend girlfriend? We didn’t leave on bad terms, but there had been no further make out sessions. Maybe since there’s only the wedding remaining, he feels safe. Crap. Why does never seeing him again make me want to cry?
“Don’t give him a choice.”
“What?”
“Don’t give him a choice. I’m assuming you’re not going to drag your ass over to his room and hop on his giant pogo stick.”
“No.” I shudder at the image she brings up and stare at our adjoining wall. He’s on the other side of a thin barrier. Is he still dressed? Taking a shower? My entire body convulses.
What if he’s in the shower at this very second? The hot steamy water cascading down his chest, over his abs, and along his jutting flesh. Will he grasp his cock and think of me? My heart thuds in my chest.
“Since you’re acting like a pussy. In the morning, head straight over to his room and pick up where you left off.”
“Running away?”
Dalilah snorts. “At least you know what you were doing.” She sighs. “Maybe you’ll never see him again. Maybe you will. But no matter what, you owe yourself to find out. He sounds like a great guy.”
“A guy twice my age.” I sag against the wall.
“It doesn’t seem to bother anyone in his family.”
“True.” The ease in which his family accepted me is still a shock. I’m not sure my family would be as welcoming of him. My parents would probably blow a gasket. Soraya, on the other hand, would be my champion. She’s the least judgmental person I know.
“Chloe, see what happens. You never know until you put yourself out there.”
“Fine.”
After I hang up, I walk into the bathroom. I still feel like something is off, but I can’t put my finger on it. I glance around the room, but nothing comes to mind.
What am I going to wear to the wedding? T-shirts and jeans are out of the question. What else did I bring? I walk to the closet and pull the door open. My eyes take in everything at once. The only dress I brought with me; I wore tonight. There’s nothing else suitable to wear to a black-tie event.
I grab my phone off the bathroom counter and find a local boutique website. After perusing my options, I find the perfect dress. It’s taupe with a fluttering skirt, a tight, sleeveless bodice. The dress is sexy and sweet at the same time.
Clicking the big red ‘buy now’ button, I secure my purchase and arrange for the shop to bring the dress to the resort. God, I love the internet. Shopping without leaving the comfort of my hotel room. Winning.
Damon
I’m lying spread eagle on my bed, staring at the ceiling when I hear a knock on my door. My heart stumbles in my chest. Dalilah? Shit. It’s probably room service. I can’t get lucky enough for it to be Dalilah.
My mind flashes back to us on the dance floor. The feeling of her body wrapped around mine, and my tongue sliding along her flesh. I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I did her at that moment. But the moment was soon broken. Apparently, she came to her senses.
I toss my dress shirt on but leave it unbuttoned. It’s after midnight, and I’m exhausted. If I’m not going to be touching every inch of the sexy woman sleeping in the room next to mine, I might as well sleep.