Maybe Later(59)

I cup her face. “It’s nothing. I’m just glad I was able to be with you. Should we clear the air? We haven’t spoken much about us.”

“What happened with your ex-wife?” she asks.

It feels like a punch directly to the gut. Can’t we start the conversation with something lighter?

“We got divorced more than five years ago.”

“So, it’s really over?”

I nod in response.

She caresses the scar on my neck. “If you can be patient with me. I’m new to relationships, and I have a lot to learn.”

I lift her chin and press my mouth to hers, lightly. Her pink lips part releasing a throaty moan.

“We have plenty of time,” I say before my mouth melts onto hers.

I touch my tongue to the seam of her lips. She opens for me and my tongue delves inside to taste the sweetness of hers. My blood surges with hope and lust. But before I can surrender fully to the heat of our kiss, she stops.

“Work?” I ask, and she nods.

“Give me a couple of hours,” she requests, “I’ll make a few arrangements, and we can take some days off—together.”

“Are you sure you don’t want my help?”

She shakes her head. “I don’t mix business and pleasure. We should keep it that way.”

I check the date, eighteen days until our contract is over. Maybe I should wait until then to come clean about who I am.





*



Friday, May 27th, 6:47 p.m.



As I park my car in front of Emmeline’s building, I notice she sent out a text.



AWalk90: I’m logging off in a few. Do you need anything else?

JSpear84: No, I’m good. Do you have a hot date?

AWalk90: Not at all, I just have a few things to do with a friend.



I’m a fucking friend? Friends don’t kiss the way we do. They don’t spend hours on your couch making out. Or stay up all night cuddling your pussy. And by pussy, I mean your needy cat who is an extortionist—guilt tripper extraordinaire. She’s squeezing every ounce of attention out of me while playing the injured kitty.

But if I protest, Emmeline says, “she has you wrapped around her kitty paw. I already told you, leave her alone, but one squeak and you’re already carrying her.”



JSpear84: Not your boyfriend?

AWalk90: You are obsessed with this boyfriend I have. You need to stop mentioning him, or my husband is going to find out. He only lets me have one lover. My fiancé is the only one who knows about all these men.

JSpear84: You’re not funny.

AWalk90: Stop making up relationships.

JSpear84: You’re going out with a friend.

AWalk90: Yes.

JSpear84: That’s your story, and you’re sticking to it.

AWalk90: I’m not telling you what I’m doing.

AWalk90: What are you doing tonight?

JSpear84: I have a hot date.

AWalk90: With your girlfriend?

JSpear84: What are we in junior high?

AWalk90: That’s exactly what I’ve been telling you. What if I’m going out with a handsome, understanding, sweet, hot, and kissable man? We don’t need titles.

JSpear84: So you are going out on a date.

AWalk90: I didn’t say that. You’re the one with a hot date. Is she cute? Does she know that you’re a hard-ass? She needs to know your real personality. I should find out who she is and tell her to beware. Mr. Spearman is going to drag you into the dungeon of hell.

JSpear84: Do you know what happens in my dungeon?

AWalk90: I imagine you torture people.

JSpear84: Yes, with scorching, dirty, off the charts sex.

AWalk90: Are you telling me that this is the date when you finally have sex? How many years has it been since the last time?

JSpear84: How many years has it been for you, Amy? I don’t want to take it too fast if you haven’t had sex in a long time.



My eyes bulge as I read what I just sent. I should just tell her today who I am.



AWalk90: I wouldn’t have sex with you, or anyone for that matter. It’s been a long time. I’m not ready to have sex yet. We’re not ready. He thinks he is, but we are not there yet.



“I. Am. Ready!”

“Fuck, you’re killing me, Emmeline.”

I want to get out of my car, knock on her door, and ask her about these texts. But I’m sure she’s going to kick me out of her house and demand I erase her number for not coming clean as soon as I figured this out. I just can’t confront her because I’m fucking horny.



JSpear84: This is like date number nine should I take her to my dungeon yet?

AWalk90: I’m your assistant, not your sex therapist.

AWalk90: …

AWalk90: It all depends on the individual. Has she given you the green light? If she’s giving you hints, take them.

JSpear84: How about telling me indirectly that she’s not ready?

AWalk90: Then don’t even bring it up in the conversation. Don’t try to hit a home run when you haven’t been given the ball yet.

JSpear84: Are we talking baseball statistics now?

AWalk90: Sorry, I can’t think of a better analogy.

JSpear84: Why don’t you want to have sex yet?