Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 102560 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102560 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
I’m wearing a dress, but I put this on hours ago when the possibility of going out to dinner was still an option.
It’s late, and I have eaten a bowl of cereal at home since I realized we weren’t eating together.
Now in the closet, I wonder what the appropriate clothing is if we aren’t going out. I want to look good, but I don’t want to look desperate. If we aren’t leaving, a dress looks desperate to impress him.
There is only one solution. I call Mara. She answers on the third ring.
“What’s up?”
“Nothing . . .” I groan.
“That doesn’t sound like nothing. Spill.”
Walking out of the closet, I cross the room and make my way into the living room.
Still dressed to go out, but knowing Mara, this conversation could take a while. Girl can talk.
“I have nothing to wear.”
“Um.” She’s quiet for a beat. “Who is this? Because this is not my friend, Layla.”
“Real funny.” I sit down and lean back in the chair.
“No. Seriously. In all the time I’ve known you, you have never cared about how you are dressed.”
“Are you saying I’m a slob with no fashion sense?” I lean forward, placing my elbows on my knees.
“Of course, I’m not saying that. Jeez, Layla.”
“What are you saying, then?” My voice is low, and I feign annoyance. She laughs. “I’m glad you find me so funny.”
“I love you. So shut up and just tell me what’s wrong.”
“Well, which is it? Do you want me to shut up or talk?”
“Pain in the ass. Spill.”
I move back to standing.
“I have nothing to wear.” I groan, starting to pace in the living room.
“And where are you going at this time of night, young lady?”
“Nowhere.” I flop down onto the couch.
“Explain.”
“I have company coming.” Biting my lip, I close my eyes and wait for the onslaught of questions. Mara equals a dog with a bone. Funny how I’m the one who wants to be the investigative reporter. She would be perfect at it.
“And this company is?”
Wonder if I lie if she will catch on. It’s not like she can see me.
She’ll know.
Mara always knows.
“Cain,” I mutter.
“Girl . . . you are holding out on me.”
“Nothing to tell. He’s back in town for business—”
“And you’re his booty call.”
My fist clenches on my lap. “It’s not like that.” My tone is harsher than I want.
“Girl. No judgment. I’m just saying.”
I know she’s not judging me, but it does feel a bit on point, seeing as I haven’t heard from him in days.
I have too much energy to stay on this couch. I hop up to stand and start to walk. “Sorry, I’m being sensitive.”
“No worries. Now, tell me what the problem is. If you don’t have clothes . . . well, problem solved. Open the door wearing nothing.”
“Mara . . .”
“Layla.”
I stop pacing in front of the window and place my free hand on my hip while looking out into the city.
I’m not that high up, only on the second floor, but luckily, my apartment faces the courtyard behind the building.
There is nothing to see at this time of night. No one is outside, so it’s just blackness.
“I’m not opening the door naked.”
“But you could,” she jokes.
“You’re not being helpful.”
“Okay. Okay. Put on lingerie and attack him.”
“You’re ridiculous.” I laugh, but I find that I am walking back toward my bedroom, and before I know it, I’m sorting through my lingerie drawer.
I’m going to do it.
Why not?
We’re both adults.
“I’ve got to go,” I tell her, now with my mind made up.
“You’re making the right choice.”
I laugh. Of course, she knows what I’m about to do.
If I were with her, she would be waggling her eyebrows at me.
“Bye . . .” I trail off dramatically, and I can hear her giggling as I hang up.
I’m pretty sure she also said, “Get some,” but it cut off halfway through the last word.
Walking over to the drawer, I grab a black lace sleep dress.
It’s not overly sexy, but it’s better than nothing, and then I walk back into the kitchen and pour myself a glass of white wine and wait. The glass is almost empty when I finally hear the knock on the door.
Now sporting a tipsy booze walk, I don’t bother covering myself with a robe as I make my way to the door and open it.
As soon as I do, I know I chose right.
Cain’s eyes go wide. I’m in his arms before he can even say hi.
Practically mauling me.
His lips are on mine, and I’m being picked up before I know what’s happening.
30
Cain
I come up for air, look into her lust-filled eyes, and ask, “Is that how you answer the door for everyone?”
“No, just you. Well, and the pizza guy.”
She laughs, legs around my waist, letting me hold her. I’ve missed this. This closeness we’ve created has been an ache in my chest the entire time I’ve been away. When I smack her sweet bottom, she gives me a moan, saying how much she likes it just a bit rough.