Bereft (Seven Year Itch #2)(41)

Before I could respond she’d hung up.

I wondered if she was with him. I hadn’t heard her laugh in a long while. As delightful as it made me feel, I also knew there was someone entertaining her; possibly the same guy she’d had at the house. Fear swept over me. I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t accuse her of something, because she’d be pissed. I didn’t even think I had a right to. Hadn’t I caused this to happen? Hadn’t my infidelity been the culprit to begin with?

The downward spiral I was on didn’t seem to be slowing down. No matter how hard I tried to stay afloat, I was drowning in my own misery. Without a paddle to fight my way free, I was afraid I’d hit rock bottom.





Chapter 22


Rachel


“What about this one?” I ran my fingers over the soft microfiber material of the sleeper sofa. “I wouldn’t need a bed if I got this one.”

“You need a bed. This one is nice. It’s comfortable, but if you get the futon for the spare bedroom you won’t need a third bed. Get something you love and stop staring at the price tags. Like I said before, it’s my treat.”

“You and I are partners. I’m not letting you buy my furniture.”

“It’s a business expense. I won’t need to buy new furniture for the business, so this helps me.” He directed my attention to another set in the far corner. “That’s more your style.”

I acted like it wasn’t, because him knowing my tastes made me uneasy. “It’s ugly.”

He cackled something under his breath, took my hand and drug me over until I was plopped down on the fat cushion. “It’s perfect.”

I went to look at the price and he smacked my hand away. “Stop it. Do you like it or not?”

I shrugged. “Either way you’re going to make me get it aren’t you?”

“Unless you want to be roommates with me indefinitely?”

As annoying as he was, he had a point. “Fine. I’ll get this and the chair. I don’t need the loveseat. It’s too big.”

“Good choice. What about the memory foam mattress? Is that a definite?”

“What? Are you crazy? It’s outrageous.”

“It’s yours. Trust me. Once you sleep on mine, you will want one for yourself.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to sell things for a living? You’re pretty darn good at it.”

Chad smiled, taking my hand and bringing it up to his face. He ran his lips over it, but never really kissed it. “Let’s get the paperwork done on this stuff. I’m starving.”

It took a bit of time to get things ordered, but once we were finished we stopped for a drink before heading back to his place. At first I thought he was trying to get me drunk, but seemed fine when I ordered a non-alcoholic beverage.

Chad sat across from me, sipping on a cold beer in a frozen glass. “Ah, that hits the spot.”

“I forgot you were old enough to drink,” I teased.

Beyond the glass I saw his amused grimace. He sat his drink down and licked his full lips. The things he’d done with those lips. “It bothers you, doesn’t it? My age gets to you.”

I shrugged. “I guess a little bit. Doesn’t it bother you?”

“Younger men like older women. It’s not a big deal at all to me. I’ve messed around with women older than you. It was all in fun.”

“Oh,” I questioned. “So you do this often?”

“No. I’ve just had my fair share of experiences. I know what I like. I’m particular.”

“I’ve seen the type of women you like.”

“Actually, you haven’t. The girls I bring to parties aren’t who I spend my time with outside of fancy schmancy events. I like women with intellect. I prefer someone who is equal to me rather than inexperienced.”

“So who are the women you bring around to events?”

He smirked. “Promise you won’t laugh?”

“I guess.”

“I bring them around because secretly my grandfather is a closet pervert. He gets such a kick out of slutty women. Most are my friends from college. They do it for a free night out. We have a good time together, and I don’t have to worry about them trying to steal my shit. The last real girlfriend I had was a school teacher. She taught seventh grade English and had a four year old son. She was divorced, and looking for someone to take over the roll of daddy. I wasn’t ready for that type of commitment, especially with what’s going on in the business. Maybe if the timing was different I could have devoted more time to the relationship, but it’s better it ended. She needed someone who worked a nine to five shift. That’s never going to be me.”

“I thought you were a womanizer.”

“Yeah, I get that a lot. Honestly, I don’t care. It keeps the gold diggers at bay. I’m picky, and more than anything I don’t want my poor grandfather to know I like my women a bit more mature.”

Once again my face was flush. “Why are you just mentioning this?”

“You never asked. We aren’t exactly a couple. I didn’t think it was your business to know. We’re friends, Rachel. I have more than one friend. I tell it like it is. Being with you is enjoyable. I like the challenge, and it doesn’t hurt that you’re f*cking beautiful. Do you even know how gorgeous you are?”