Janet (10 page)

10

When my phone went off, I moaned. I reached for it on the table until I found it.

“Hmm?”

“Where the hell are you?” Beatriz asked.

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” she shrieked.

I opened my eyes and blinked a few times. “I’m at Scott’s.”

“Well, you should have told me. I’ve been worried.”

“I’m fine. Bye.” I hung up and looked at the time. I had to be at work in an hour.

Scott yawned and stretched beside me. He was still wearing the clothes he wore last night. His hair was in disarray and his eyes were dark with sleep. He looked adorable. Unable to stop myself, I leaned over him and kissed him. He smiled then held me to his chest, his hand moving into my hair. “That was a nice way to wake up.”

“Thanks for letting me crash on your couch.”

“Anytime,” he said. “Maybe we can go in the bedroom next time.”

I eyed him.

“Because there’s more room,” he said with a smile.

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear then grabbed my heels.

“Coffee?” he asked.

“No, I’m in a hurry.”

“Okay,” he said as he stood up. “Kyle wants to know if we want to play tennis with him and Layla tonight.”

“When did he ask that?”

“Last night. I just forgot to mention it.”

“Like a double date?”

“Yep.”

“Yeah, that sounds like fun.”

“Cool.” He walked me to the door then held me close for a long moment. He kissed my forehead before he pulled away. “If I didn’t have to work, I’d walk you home. I really am a gentleman.”

I smiled. “I can manage.”

“I’m sure you can.”

“I’ll see you later, baby.” The words just slipped from my mouth.

The smile on his face was bigger than any other I’d ever seen. “I look forward to it.”

I kissed him before I walked
away, knowing I was leaving my heart behind with him. I had a smile on my face the entire time I headed home. Scott was such a great guy and I was happy we finally worked out our differences. He was such an amazing kisser. And that body…I couldn’t think about that right now.

When I came into my apartment, my sister wasn’t happy.

“Let me know next time you decide to have a one night stand.”

“Excuse me?” I snapped. “I wasn’t having a booty call. Scott is my boyfriend.”

“A heads up would have been nice.”

“I’m an adult,” I said. “I don’t have to tell you anything.”

“I was worried about you.”

“Well, don’t worry next time.” I glared at her before I walked into my room.

I took a quick shower before I got dressed and bolted to the office. I barely made it to my shift in time. I had never been late a day in my life, and this was almost the first. After I grabbed a cup of coffee I got to work. My mind kept drifting back to Scott, wondering what he was doing or what he was wearing. I decided to text him.

I can’t stop thinking about you.

He responded a few minutes later.
I just called my secretary Janet. You’re clouding my mind as well.

What are you wearing?

Ooh…I like this conversation. Black suit, gray tie.

That sounds sexy.

“What R U wearing, baby?

A purple thong…

I really like this conversation. Send me a pic.

Nope.

Damn…it was worth a shot.

I miss you.

I miss you too. I can’t wait to see you tonight.

Me neither.

I’ll talk to you later.

I returned the phone
to my purse. I knew I was being clingy but I couldn’t help it. I’d fallen for Scott and I couldn’t pretend that I hadn’t. I didn’t like playing games when it came to relationships. I really liked Scott and felt like I could trust him. I wanted him to know how I felt about him. When I thought about Scott, I thought of Ryan. I still needed to talk to him.

When I went down to his office, he wasn’t there. His secretary told me he was at the courthouse and would be there all the day. I sighed in annoyance. I would have to talk to him when he came back. At the end of the workday, he still hadn’t returned. Since we hadn’t spoken, I assumed he wasn’t serious about our date. He probably got the hint. Ryan would have called me or texted me by now.

I left the office and returned to my apartment. Since we were playing tennis, I tried to find something to wear. I normally wore shorts and t-shirt, something unflattering. I just didn’t see the point in getting dressed up to work out. It made no sense. But now that Scott was going to be there, I felt like I should turn it up a notch. I found a pair of tight leggings and a form-fitting workout shirt. It was baby blue and matched the color of my running shoes. I placed my hair in a baseball cap and tied it in a high pony tail. I even put makeup on.

When
seven o’ clock arrived, I answered the door with a smile on my face, expecting to see the man I adored. When I saw Ryan, my heart fell.

“What are you doing here?” I blurted.

He was holding a single rose. “Taking you on our date.” He eyed my outfit. “Which you obviously forgot about.”

“I told you I wasn’t interested, Ryan.” I knew I was being mean and cold, but I couldn’t help it. I was annoyed that he showed up to my apartment. And Scott was coming soon. The last thing I wanted was for him to see Ryan.

“Come on,” Ryan said. “I thought you’d give me a chance.”

I sighed. “Ryan, you’re a very nice guy. But you aren’t right for me. Please leave.”

“How do you know unless you give me a shot?”

“I did,” I snapped. “We just don’t have any chemistry.”

“Well, if I kiss you we might.”

“Touch her and I’ll rip your throat out.”

I closed my eyes, realizing Scott had arrived. This was bad.

Scott came to Ryan and stared him down. He looked at the rose then glared at him. “I suggest you leave.”

Ryan looked at him. “Why are you always here?” he snapped. “Are you stalking her?”

“I don’t stalk my girlfriend.” His voice was low, but it was deadly and frightening nonetheless.

“Your girlfriend?” he asked incredulously.

Scott came closer to him. “I told you to leave.”

Ryan turned to me. “Are you really dating this guy?”

“Yes,” I said. “I’m sorry this happened. I wasn’t expecting you to come tonight.”

He looked down. “So you’ve been playing me?”

“No,” I said quickly. “It just…happened.”

Ryan nodded. “I get it.”

“Good,” Scott said. “Otherwise I’d have to explain it with my fist.”

I glared at him. “Scott.”

Ryan dropped the rose on the ground then walked away.

Scott turned his threatening gaze on me. “What the fuck was that?”

I sighed, sensing the fight bubble to the surface.

“You said you would talk to him.”

“He wasn’t in the office today.”

“He has a phone,” he snapped.

“Scott, I wasn’t going to go out with him. When I agreed to be exclusive, I meant it. I just wante
d to put him down gently and not shatter his self-esteem like you did.”

He still
looked angry. “You’re mine. Perhaps I didn’t make that clear.”

I slammed the door in his face.

“I’m sorry!”

“Go away, Scott.”

He opened the door and came into my apartment. “That was out of line. I’m sorry.”

“Yes
, it was fucking out of line.”

Scott sighed then ran his fingers through his hair. “I got a little carried away.”

“A little?”

“It just bothers me when guys show up to your apartment.”

“Just like you did?”

“But I’m a good guy.”

I laughed. “That’s debatable.”

He grabbed my waist and pulled me in for a kiss. Like always, it chased away my anger. “I said I was sorry,” he whispered. “I trust you, but I also feel the overwhelming sense of protection. I don’t want him to bother you. And I don’t want to have to compete for you.”

“You never have to compete for me.”

He rubbed his nose against mine. “I like that.”

“I just don’t want you to behave that way again.”

Scott sighed. “I’ll try.”

“No, you’ll do it.”

“Why is it a bad thing?”

I raised an eyebrow.

“I’m possessive of you. I want you all to myself, I want you to be safe, and I want the entire world to know that you belong to me. Is that really a bad thing?”

“It is when you threaten other people.”

“Okay, that was wrong. I’ll take the fall for that. But I don’t mean to offend you when I say those things.”

“They are offensive,” I said. “I’m not your property.”

He sighed. “Well, I’m yours. And I’m okay with that.”

I eyed him.

“Can we at least have that?”

“You want me to be possessive of you, upset every time a girl talks to you, and psychotically obsessed with you?”

He smiled. “I would love that.”

“You’re strange.

He shrugged. “I suppose.”

I pressed my face close to his.

“Are we okay?”

I nodded.

He kissed my forehead. “I like your outfit.”

“You do?”

“You look cute.”

“Thank you.”

His hands moved under my shirt and felt the skin of my waist. “I thought about you all day.”

“I thought about you too.”

“And that purple thong.”

I smiled. “Sorry I didn’t send any pictures.”

“It’s okay. I hope to see the real thing eventually.”

I looked away and felt my cheeks blush.

“Are you ready to go?”

“Yes,” I said.

My sister came from her bedroom. “Going out again?”

“Yes,” I snapped.

“Will you be coming home tonight?”

“Are you Mom now?”

She glared at me. “I’m just worried.”

“I’ll be home.”

Scott leaned into my ear. “I was hoping you’d sleep over.”

“You want me to?”

He nodded. “Just an innocent sleepover.”

I turned back to my sister. “No, I won’t be coming home tonight.”

She rolled her eyes then walked back to her room.

“Ignore her,” I said as we walked out.

Scott held my hand as we reached the street. “Your sister seems upset.”

“She’s being annoying.”

“What’s her problem?”

“I don’t fucking know,” I snapped.

He was quiet for a moment. “Since she’s going through a hard time, maybe she doesn’t like being left alone.”

“She would just tell me if that was the case.”

“Maybe she doesn’t like to admit she’s weak.”

I sighed. “Damn…”

Scott smiled. “Why don’t we stay at your place tonight?”

“My sister would there.”

“I don’t mind,” h
e said. “We won’t be doing anything anyway.”

I was disappointed by the response. “As long as you’re okay with it.”

“I just want to sleep with you again. I really liked that.”

“You just want to sneak a peek at my purple thong.”

He grinned. “Maybe…”

I rolled my eyes as we kept walking.

When we reached the gym, we checked in and grabbed our rackets. Layla and Kyle were already on the court, having a hot make out session in plain sight.

“Look,” Scott said. “It’s free porn.”

Kyle pulled away and glared at his brother. “Keep your hands where I can see them.”

Scott wrapped his arm around me.

I pulled away and hugged Layla.

She eyed me for a moment. “You don’t hate me?”

“A little.”

“Well, I was right, wasn’t I?”

“Which is the only reason why I’m forgiving you.”

She smiled. “I knew you couldn’t stay mad for long.”

“Not when I’m this happy.”

Layla smiled at me and hugged me again. “You’re falling for him.”

“I might be…”

She eyed me. “I’m happy for you.”

“Me too,” I said.

“And if he’s anything like Kyle in the bedroom, he’ll rock your world.”

I shook my head. “We haven’t had sex. We’ve been on, like, two dates.”

“Well, you must be dying.”

“Shut up,” I said as I shoved her.