How the heck am I supposed to tell my only guy friend that I’ve been having hot dreams lately, some of which star him as well… What? Don’t judge, it’s hard to stay on track when the only caring guy in my life is sleeping right next door to me.
“You’re such an ass. This isn’t even gonna work.”
I’ve had a lot of time to think about things in the last two days, and I’ve decided that Jeff is wrong. No way in hell does Vincent love me. I mean, the guy hasn’t so much as called me since that night at the exhibition.
Does that seem like a guy who is gaga for a girl? I think not. So I’ve decided that the only thing left to do is to just tell him my little secret and go from there.
Hopefully by the time I work up enough courage something positive will have happened with the Eric situation, and I can start availing myself of that gorgeous apartment Daddy has gotten me.
But first…
“If that hand strays any farther, you’re losing it, Parker.”
I feel him shake behind me and realize he’s laughing his ass off at my predicament. He’s determined to carry out this ‘player plan’ he has going for me, and if I publicly denounce him I won’t only alert the shark to my availability, something I’m not willing to do, but I’ll also cause a huge scene in the midst of a very exclusive set that has decided that I am currently the hot shit in the art world.
Go figure my budding success would bite me in the ass.
“Ah, Mr Parker, so good to see you this evening, sir,” the tall blonde hostess trills from her little podium at the top of the steps.
“Hi, Gail. Mrs Cavanaugh has you working the crowds, I see.”
They flirt a little, and I clench my back teeth so as not to spit a curse at the obviously single and ready for action woman. Can’t she see he’s not available? I mutter to myself, feeling like the third wheel on the bicycle. And anyway, he can’t flirt with another woman, not when I’ve totally decided to set him up with his ex, Julia Gustav, and see where things go.
If I have to watch him go nuclear, or even worse, silent every time a Julia Jenkins fitness commercial comes on, I’m gonna scream. The guy is so obviously still crazy for the woman, and I can’t see why he can’t let the past go and take her back.
With my mission firmly resolved, I pinch his hip brutally and smile sweetly at Gail, showing her enough teeth to scare a shark.
“We’re holding up the line.”
With that I drag him up the remaining steps and into the grand mansion, my mood so dark I hardly notice the décor or the art. Seriously, how the heck am I supposed to get through a night of groping and smug grins if the guy insists on getting his player card punched wherever we go?
I swear, Jeff’s seen more vagina than I have, and I freaking own one!
“Stop being so moody, Sissy bear, it was just a little harmless flirting,” he croons, leaning in to whisper seductively in my ear.
Last night’s weird ass dream makes a reappearance, and I pull back with a sour look and a huff.
“Make up your mind, Parker. You’re either ‘playing the game’ with me or trying to get into another woman’s shorts, not both.”
“But Sissy bear, Blake was watching from the stairs. I needed to give him some incentive. If he thinks I’m nailing you as well as getting some side action, he’s gonna want to save you from my dastardly clutches all the sooner. Just pretend to hang on every word I say and smile through the other shit. Easy.”
“God, I know why you and Julia didn’t work out. You’re an ass,” I groan, enjoying his slight wince at the mention of that name.
What? My cruelty isn’t only for my own enjoyment; I’m trying to keep him focused on my goals here, most of which do not include listening to him bang Gail all night.
“He was watching?”
I have a million things to consider with the way he’s pouring himself all over me and with trying to search out Julia, without alerting him to her presence, and yet I have to go and latch onto that little gem.
Gosh, I am beyond lost over that idiot.
“Yup. In fact, he’s standing right over there, watching us. No! Don’t look, you ninny. Jesus, you’re totally green when it comes to this stuff. Just pretend he doesn’t exist, and it will all go as planned.”
“Of course I’m green! I told you, I don’t play games like this,” I hiss, digging my nails into his arm with relish. “Now stop trying to molest me in public and let’s go get a drink.”
“Uh-uh, mama. No alcohol.”
“Like I’m brain dead. I just want a glass of water or juice.”
God, not being able to drink while I’m being subjected to this level of torture is killing me, but I smile for the first time tonight and lay a hand to my still flat belly, feeling giddy.