Time to Play(30)

“Baby, I’ve been called worse in high-school. I’ve learned to love my curves. Besides, exercise is not for me.” She leaned against the counter as the new lady on the desk passed her the mail. Cole leaned in close to whisper into her ear.

“I don’t know. There is something good about getting all sweaty during a workout.”

She tensed feeling the shiver work down the line of her body. Turning to look at him, Simone struggled under the need to press her body against his own. He had warned her about teasing him, and now he was teasing her instead.

“There is only one type of sweating I like to do, and that is flat on my back with my legs in the air. Or on my knees.” She leaned in closer pressing a finger down the seam of his shirt. “Or when I’m on top. That is the kind of exercise I like. The pleasurable kind.”

She turned away. “We better get to Callum before he starts getting all possessive.” Simone led the way outside, sliding her sunglasses up her nose so the press couldn’t see her anger. Two seconds in front of the press was all it took to bring her anger to the fore. Cole grabbed her arm leading her to the back of his car. She got inside the back. When he pulled away several miles down the road, he stopped for her to get into the front.

Their journey was the same as before. “I warned you about teasing me,” Cole said when they stopped at some traffic lights.

“Then I’m warning you about teasing me, Cole. Don’t do it. I’m not like most women. I love sex, and I do not see a problem with me going out and finding someone to fuck.”

“You think you’re a big girl?”

“I know I’m a big girl. I also know I can handle myself.” Simone’s cell phone began ringing. She pulled it out of the pocket and saw her mother’s number flashing at her. Letting out a groan, she flipped the phone.

“Hello, Mom.”

“Have you seen the morning paper?”

“Yes, I’ve seen it.”

“What is going on, Simone Allusifa? I do not like these vultures telling me about my daughter’s love life.”

Simone rubbed her temple. “I’m dating Callum Gallagher, and no, it is not completely serious. We’re exclusive and seeing where it is going.”

She was conscious of Cole listening to her conversation.

“Your father doesn’t like this. He’s been in touch, and you know he never gets in touch.”

“Has there been a story about you two?” she asked.

Her mother sighed over the line. “They will always bring up our past, Simone. Your father wants to speak to you regarding this man.”

“I don’t give a rat’s ass what my father wants. He’s been out of my life for most of it. He can continue playing the sperm donor for all I care.”

“Simone!”

“No, Mom, listen. He is a controlling bastard. If I want to date this guy then I’m going to date this guy. I’m twenty-five and can do whatever the hell I want.”

“I love you, honey.”

“I know you do. Please, don’t start trying to make him into father of the year. We both know Malcolm is not that guy.” She listened to her mother speak a few more of her concerns before she hung up the phone.

Cole pulled into the parking lot under the condo. “Trouble at home?”

“My mother is worrying about me. Malcolm is interfering and probably making out she is a bad parent. They always fight like this. I can’t believe how he’s trying to take over my life. When they got a divorce he didn’t want to have anything to do with me. He kept my brother while my mom took me to live with her. Now he thinks he can control my life. I’m not accepting it.”

She put her phone away then waited for Cole to open her door.

“Fair enough.”

They went up together in the elevator. Callum wasn’t there, and Cole took his usual position on the couch. Simone went through to the office and saw there were no papers. The sun was shining on the pool making the water glint at her.

“Why don’t I have my papers?” she asked, shouting back to Cole.

“Callum is bringing them back this afternoon.”

She shook her head. It was supposed to be serious, and yet, they still hadn’t brought her the paperwork. Shaking her head, Simone decided not to worry about it. They wanted her to sort through this. In the back of her mind she was a little concerned. What if she couldn’t prove it wasn’t her taking the money?

Don’t think like that.

Going out of the office she went back to the sitting room. Cole was watching a game of football. “May I borrow a pair of boxer shorts?” she asked.

“What? Why?” He turned to look at her.