Girl Crush(75)

“No.” I wasn’t telling her or Trish that I felt less than worthy because my bank account was virtually empty. Everyone already thought I was shallow because I loved nail polish and cars.

“Please tell me the sex hasn’t already dried up. I don’t think I can handle another episode of Girl Crush.”

“Ronnie, there’s nothing wrong. The sex is amazing, our life together is great,” I snapped.

She held up her hands in surrender. I hadn’t meant to make her angry. She was right, though. I had been snippy, and if I was that way with her, I was that way with everyone else.

“I’m sorry, V. I shouldn’t have been short with you.”

Trish had long since sat back and put her sunglasses on—it was her way of excusing herself from the conversation. She could hear everything we said, but Ronnie would tell her anyhow so at least this way she got firsthand knowledge.

“I’m having a hard time keeping up.” I proceeded to tell my best friend about the struggle with money and wanting to be an equal in the relationship.

She listened attentively before offering advice. “You know that just because the number of commas on your paycheck isn’t the same that doesn’t mean you don’t contribute to the relationship in other ways that are equally as valuable.”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh yeah, I’m sure my ability to run errands and pick up the house before the maid comes brings real value.”

“Collier loves you, Giselle. If it doesn’t bother him, maybe you shouldn’t let it bother you. So pull the stick out of your fine ass, and go shove your bigger melons in your man’s face. There’s never a need for an apology when he can motorboat.” Her lips spread in a wide grin as she dropped her glasses back onto the bridge of her nose.

“And you say I’m crass.”

“Go.” Ronnie shooed me away with the wave of her hand.

I stole her flip-flops to keep from scalding my feet again—only Ronnie would have heels on pool shoes. Collier had gotten in the water, and his skin glistened when he broke the surface. Once I reached the steps, I kicked off my borrowed shoes and stepped into the shallow end. The cool feel of the water against my skin was refreshing and washed away the unease the discussion of money brought. I took a deep breath before going under and swimming between West and the wall. He stepped back to allow me room to maneuver my body into the narrow space, and his smile welcomed me when I stood in front of him.

“Hey, babe.”

The feel of his chest beneath my fingers spurred me on. His nipples were firm and masculine as my palms grazed them. While my touch continued north, he snaked his arms around my lower back. The moment I laced my fingers behind his neck, he took my mouth with his in an inappropriate kiss. My legs crawled up his like a monkey on a tree before settling around his waist.

“Get a room,” Parker hollered from the table in front of us.

West broke away to yell back at his friend over my shoulder. “Last time I checked, this was my house, douchebag.”

It was all in good fun, but I still blushed with embarrassment. The heat in my cheeks flamed when he lowered his grip to my ass and rolled his hips into mine, showing me just how aroused he was beneath the water. Somehow, I had to get these fools to leave.

My voice was filled with desire when I whispered into his ear, “This would be a lot more fun naked.”

The growl that rumbled in his chest was low enough that no one other than me heard it, but it only served to increase my desire. I leaned away from him to see the heat in his eyes and the way the color changed when he got excited. He didn’t disappoint, but his focus dropped to my chest, stealing my view.

“This is one of those swimsuits you really shouldn’t wear around other people.” The smirk on his lips told me it was a compliment.

“You don’t like it?”

“It’s a little skimpy for my friends to enjoy.”

Twice in one day. Maybe it really had shrunk. “Ronnie said the same thing.” Well, not the same thing, but close enough that I now wondered if I’d gained weight.

“Odd thing for her to say.”

“She actually said my boobs had gotten bigger and wanted to know if I’d gotten implants.” I threw it out there as though her comment hadn’t affected me, but in reality, I wanted to see his expression.

He considered them for a moment before stating, “They do look bigger.” Before I could stop him, he released one of my butt cheeks and brought it up to grab my girl. “They’re firmer too. Is that normal?” Collier wasn’t concerned, he was elated. His girl had the appearance of a boob job without the surgery.

“You think so, too?”

Parker cannonballed into the pool, dousing us in water. When he surfaced, he was entirely too close, and I released my death grip on Collier’s waist to put my feet on the bottom of the pool.

“What are you guys over here whispering about? You do know you have guests, right?” He winked at me.

I’d loved Parker since the first time I went to Collier’s and watched football with him and his friends. He was fun to be around, a notorious flirt, and terribly easy on the eyes. But above all else, he respected me and treated me like a friend.

“Do Giselle’s boobs look bigger to you?”

“Collier!” I screeched his name, dumbfounded he’d ask his friend to check me out, which would also imply he’d done it before to have a frame of reference.