The Arrangement Anthology 1(153)
Giddy glee bursts across my face, and then I do as he asks.
CHAPTER 5
Sean lets me linger in the shower. I’m sore, but in a good way. It makes me smile. I rinse off, step out of the shower, and towel off. I rub a brush through my hair as I blast the hell out of it with the blow dryer, and then pull it back into a high pony tail. I brought an overnight bag since Sean ordered me for two days. I dig around and pull out a pair of threadbare jeans, thick socks, and an oversized sweater. I’m so snuggly. Miss Black would have a stroke if she knew what I was wearing. It’s completely wrong for a call girl of my caliber, but screw that. Besides, she isn’t here and I doubt the other call girls take their clients sledding. I need to call her and get permission to leave the hotel as soon as I’m ready to go.
When I walk out of the bathroom I’m hit with the scent of bacon and coffee. I glance around like a starving dog, following my nose to the other side of the bed. There’s a tray with silver covers over various dishes. I glance around, wondering where Sean went as I peek under a tray and steal a slice of bacon.
A cold breeze brushes my cheek, making me turn. The balcony doors are open a crack. I walk over slowly. Sean is standing outside, phone in hand, talking to someone. I smile at his back. I can’t wait to wrap my arms around him and go down that crazy hill on the sled. I plan on laughing like a maniac—and let’s face it—I’ll probably fall off the sled a few times too.
As I walk toward the door, Sean’s voice becomes clearer. “No, I won’t. You’re on your own, Pete. I have enough problems. Deal with it yourself.” He’s quiet for a moment. Sean bows his head and rubs his temples. Whoever he’s talking to is stressing him out really bad. The little vein on the side of his head is throbbing. I wonder who it is or what they want. Sean never lets anyone get to him about anything. Even when he was at the table with Henry, Sean was so cool and collected. I had no idea how jealous he was until later.
I know I shouldn’t listen, that I should back away, but I can’t. This seems personal and Sean plays his cards close to his chest. I want this glimpse of him. I need it. I step closer.
Sean shakes his head and pulls his coat closed. Snowflakes stick to his dark hair and the shoulders of the jacket. “You’re making a mistake. Stop laughing, dickwad, and I have every right to say it. I know, all right. You don’t want anything to do with that shit and if you get caught—well, I’ve been there. I’m not helping you. If you want it, you’ll have to take it from me.” Sean shakes his head, annoyed, and ends the call.
When he turns he sees me through the glass. “Avery.” His voice is strained, like he’s afraid of what I heard.
I push the doors open and lean on the doorjamb. A cold gust of wind hits me in the face. Folding my arms over my chest, I ask, “Who’s Pete?”
“No one important.” Sean’s eyes dart past me toward our breakfast. “Did you eat?”
“No, not yet.” I stare at him. Liar. Pete is someone very important. It’s written all over his face. “You can tell me stuff, you know. I won’t share your secrets. It’s actually part of what makes this whole arrangement less call-girlish and more normal. You know, you tell me something that bothers you and I tell you something that irks me.”
Sean doesn’t blink. He doesn’t look away or make excuses. Flurries continue to fall from the sky while the two of us have a staring contest like a pair of five year olds. Sean finally smiles and looks away. “Fine, I’ll tell you, but let’s go inside. I can hear your stomach growling from here.”
Horror washes over my face. My tummy’s been grumbling since I smelled the food. I didn’t think he could hear, not with the street noise. Sean laughs and puts his arm over my shoulder as he pulls me inside. “You’re so cute, so absolutely adorable. You’re also a terrible snoop.” He turns me in front of him and kisses the tip of my nose. Then, he swats my bottom, pushing me toward the food while he closes the doors and shucks his coat. Sean’s already dressed. He’s wearing a form-fitting blue sweater with a pair of jeans and biker boots.
“I wasn’t snooping. You ordered food and then weren’t around. It’s not like I’d eat it without you.” Sean glances at me and raises an eyebrow when he lifts the cover off the bacon. The nice neat stack isn’t so neat anymore. “Okay, I ate that.”
“I see.” Sean laughs and pulls me over to the couch. He dishes up a plate and grabs himself some coffee. Sean sits down next to me and grabs a piece of bacon off my plate. As he eats, he talks. “That was my brother. He wanted to see me. I told him no.”