London Falling (Falling #2)(9)
My sister Aspen and I railed against the debutante lifestyle. My brother Rio, on the other hand, was the perfect little rich boy snob, making my Mother’s crusty heart swell with pride.
Out of all of us, Aspen was the impressive one. She was worth billions but currently was on the outs with Mommy Dearest due to her choice to live out of wedlock with a country boy from Texas. I didn’t blame her. Hank was hot and loved her enough to move to New York to be with her.
Thinking of Aspen reminded me how much I missed my sister. I hadn’t seen her in weeks. She’d had a falling out with Hank then reconciled a couple months ago. I felt bad for not having reached out to her sooner. I’m sure Hank and work was keeping her very busy. An uncomfortable feeling crept up my spine reminding me to reach out to her later this evening.
“So, do you always do what you, uh, did?” Dylan pulled me from my thoughts. He seemed nervous, which was funny seeing as we’d just licked and kissed every surface of one another’s body less than an hour ago.
“Do what? Sleep with my clients?”
He looked down at his bowl of spaghetti. His face turned beet red. “Yeah.”
I laughed long and hard. “No. Not all of them. I have many clients. I’ve had sex with a few over the years. If I’m interested, they’re unattached, and it feels right, then sure. Why not? I’m pretty sure you had a good time.” My lips twitched, remembering how his body arched and tightened with release.
“Fuck, yeah!” He half-yelled.
I smiled. He was already losing some of that reserve. Profanity was only the tip of the iceberg.
“I just didn’t know how this works,” he continued.
“Well, let me explain it to you. I spend the next twenty six days living with you. I follow you around, figure out your likes and dislikes, in the home and in your life. It helps me design a space that will provide you with what you need to add more value to your inner being. Today, you needed to get laid and I wanted to get laid. That was a bonus.” I shot him a wink and he grinned. “There’s really nothing more complicated than that.” I took a big swallow of my water and waited for him to respond.
“So does this mean we’re dating?”
Oh no. Not a good sign. The last thing I needed was another stray following me around like a long lost puppy dog. It reminded me of the Andrew debacle all over again. Mentally I added a reminder to make sure that restraining order was still in place. He hadn’t cropped up in the last couple months so maybe he’d finally gotten the hint that he was going to go to jail if he kept up the stalking.
“No. Absolutely not. I do not date. Relationships are not an option.”
Dylan looked away and winced.
“Dylan, it’s not you. I plan on fully enjoying our time together but you cannot get attached to me romantically. Do you understand?”
“Not really. But I did have a really good time.” He smiled presenting even white teeth. He was getting more handsome by the moment. I would definitely enjoy breaking him out of his shell.
“I did, too. And if we’re going to continue to have good times like this afternoon, I have to know you understand there are no strings attached. Once our month is up, I will leave and hopefully we can continue to be friends.”
“So, you’re offering a month of guilt free sex and a redesigned home?”
“Exactly. Now you’re getting it.” I was proud of my ingénue. When I was through with him he will have matured, have a better understanding of what he needs to move forward in finding his heart’s desire. On top of that he’d have a lovely renovated condo to come home to. “Just remember, what we have is casual. You’re free to date and be intimate with whomever you want. As am I. We’re not in a committed relationship. We’re just friends…with benefits.” His brows crinkled and then a slow grin slipped over his lips. “Understood?” I had to clarify with him. I might enjoy men but I didn’t want to lead him on. Besides, a sexy Englishman’s sculpted face kept coming to mind, reminding me of new possibilities.
“Clear as day. I’m in baby. Let’s finish up; I’m ready for another bout with my newest guilty pleasure.”
“Now you’re talking!” The waiter came at just that moment. We both said, “Check please!” and laughed all the way back to his apartment. We spent the rest of the night screwing until dawn.
After the first week, I called to check in with Tripp. He answered on the fourth ring, completely out of breath.
“Hello handsome. Did you take up running in your spare time?” I asked knowing full well what he must be doing.
I could almost hear his grin through the phone. “Yeah and I’m enjoying a tall, blond, drink of water as we speak. What’s up? Kind of in the middle of something.”
“Just checking in with my best man. Anything to report on the home front?”
“Mmmm that’s…f*ck yeah…right there…” He groaned into the telephone.
“Tripp! Push the blond off your cock and talk to me.”
“You’re killing me, Bridge. Hey, Baby, you gotta hold on. I need to talk to...” A rustling sound could be heard then, “Oh, f*ck baby…” He started again. I decided it was easier to wait it out. “Uh…oh yeah, f*ck right there, uh, uh…” A constant strand of moaning, then, “Yeah, suck it all down like a good girl.”