Monroe, Marla - Hot and Bothered (Siren Publishing Classic) (15 page)

“Damn, that’s tough. I expect you’re exhausted,” he said.

“Pretty much. How was your trip?”

“Good. I’m glad to be home, though. Think you would feel up to lunch tomorrow? Or maybe Wednesday is a better day with the mess you’ve had to deal with today.”

“Um, yeah. Wednesday would be better. What time? I’ll meet you somewhere.”

“How about eleven thirty?” he asked.

“Sounds good. Where do you want to meet?”

They discussed where to eat. Then he asked her what she had been doing while he had been gone. Savanna hesitated over telling him about going out but in the long run figured she didn’t have any reason to feel bad about it.

“Karen and I went out Saturday night. She needed a night out. She’s been going through some problems and needed to take her mind off them.”

“Did you have a good time?”

He sounded a bit strained when he asked. Savanna wondered if he was mad at her. He shouldn’t be. They didn’t have an exclusive relationship. They hadn’t even talked about one. Still, she felt guilty, and that pissed her off.

“Yes, we did. Karen danced most of the night. I danced some but mostly kept a hold of our table.”

“So Karen is doing okay then?” His voice still sounded a bit off to her.

“Yes, she’s better, but things are still up in the air with her right now.”

“I was hoping that we could go out Saturday night. Do you think she and Ben would be interested in going along?” Dustin asked.

Savanna hesitated about telling him that Karen and Ben weren’t together anymore. It really wasn’t his business. Still, he would know if Karen came along with them without Ben. Savanna planned on inviting Karen.

“She and Ben aren’t seeing each other anymore.”

“Hey, I’m sorry. I thought they were pretty happy together.”

“Yeah, well, things happen. I still want to invite her.”

“Of course. It will do her good to get out, and it’s safer with someone else along.”

“Thanks. Look, I don’t mean to cut you off, but I’m nasty and wet and would like to jump in the shower.”

“Hey, I’m really sorry. You’re bound to be miserable. I’ll talk to you Wednesday about Saturday night.”

“Great. Glad you’re back in town. I’ll talk to you later.”

Savanna hung up, but she kept the phone in her hand as she thought back over their conversation. She wasn’t wrong. He had sounded a little upset after she had told him she and Karen had gone out. If he had a problem with it, they were already in trouble. She wasn’t going to desert her friend when she needed her.

She put the phone down and walked to the bathroom and turned on the shower before stripping out of her soggy clothes. Savanna stepped into the shower, enjoying the hot water flowing over her. Then she started to think about the last time she and Dustin had shared the shower. What would it be like to shower together all the time?
I don’t need to be thinking like that. We aren’t a couple.
Yeah, but it sounded like Dustin wanted them to be. What was she going to do about that?

Chapter Eight

Wednesday always turned out to be a light day at the spa. She enjoyed it. She could focus on the mundane aspects of the business without a lot of hubbub going on around her. It was boring stuff but necessary. Usually she did the heaviest part of the bookkeeping in the morning then let some of her staff go in the afternoon. She didn’t mind helping whoever was left to see to any walk-in customers. Today, Irene was working the afternoon shift. She had no trouble handling the few customers who wandered in. Savanna focused on finishing the paperwork so she could enjoy lunch with Dustin.

She was looking forward to seeing him again. That should have bothered her, but she refused to let it today. They would have a nice lunch. What would they talk about? She wasn’t sure. There were so many things she didn’t know about him.
Stupid. You don’t need to know all about him. That’s asking for trouble, Savanna. Let sleeping dogs lie.
She sighed. Keeping it about the sex was getting harder and harder.

Her cell phone rang, interrupting her thoughts about Dustin. Probably a good thing, too, she thought. She answered the phone before it could go into messaging mode.

“Hey, Savanna.” It was Karen on the phone.

“Hey! How are you?”

“I’m okay. Work has been extra busy lately. We’re still working on that big project. I wish I knew what company it was for. It would make it easier to know what they were looking for information-wise.”

“Martin still keeping it to himself?”

“Yeah. I don’t know what he is thinking, but I don’t trust him.”

Savanna didn’t either and was worried about her friend. Something was going on, that was for sure.

“Watch your back, Karen. You know he is up to something. You got a copy of everything at home, right?” Savanna asked.

“Yep. And I’m keeping a record of everything, too,” Karen said.

“Listen, Dustin and I are going out Saturday night. Why don’t you come with us? He asked about you.”

“I don’t know. I was planning on just relaxing and doing girl stuff. Doing my nails, shaving, all that sort of thing.”

“Come to the spa instead. Get everything done and go out with us.” Savanna wanted her friend to go. Maybe she would meet someone to take her mind off everything.

“I’ll think about it. Hey, got to go. I put a casserole in the oven, and it’s ready. I’ll talk to you later in the week.”

“Okay. Call me if you need me.” Savanna hung up.

What could Martin be up to? It worried her. Karen, bless her heart, was having so much trouble right now. She hoped she would go out with them. It would be good for her. Savanna looked at her watch and realized if she didn’t hurry she would be late for lunch with Dustin.

“Hey, Irene. I’m going to lunch. I’ll be back in an hour or so.”

“Take your time. We aren’t doing much right now anyway. Mostly people buying things. Which reminds me. We need to order more of the pumice rock. It’s sold out already.”

Savanna made a note, and grabbing her purse, she ran out the door. She hoped she wouldn’t be too late. She had no idea how Dustin was with late people. Hell, it didn’t matter, she told herself. She parked outside the restaurant and made it inside only five minutes later. Savanna found him sitting at a table near the back. He didn’t look at his watch or appear upset. Why she was relieved, she didn’t know. Like she’d told herself earlier, it didn’t matter. He could get over it if he was.

“Hey, sorry I’m a little late.” She took a seat across from him.

“No problem, I know you’re busy.”

Right, remember, he doesn’t work a steady job. He can afford to wait.

“Have you ordered yet?” she asked.

“No, I was waiting on you. The ham and cheese looks good to me,” he said.

“I think I’ll go with the grilled chicken salad. It’s really good.”

“Ah, think I’ll stick with the ham.” He laughed.

Savanna smiled, but before she could say anything, the waitress walked up and asked about their drink orders. After they gave them, Dustin reached across the table and took her hand. He rubbed his thumb over the back of it and smiled at her.

“Did you have much damage from the busted pipe?” he asked.

“A little. Had to replace a cabinet that warped, but at least it didn’t happen in one of the carpeted rooms. This room had stone floors. Made cleanup easier, too.”

“So, how is work today? Busy?”

“Well, business is always slow on Wednesdays, but I do the paperwork on Wednesdays, so I’m busy.”

“Yeah, paperwork is a killer. Have you talked to Karen to find out if she can go with us?” he asked.

“I talked to her today. She said maybe. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. She needs to get out.”

“Everything working out for her now?”

Savanna wasn’t sure how much to tell him. “Things are better but still not great.”

“So tell me about your family. I don’t think I know anything.” He leaned in toward her as if he was really interested.

Savanna wasn’t sure what to say. She really didn’t want to talk about her family with him. One, because she wasn’t really close to any of them, and two, she didn’t want to get personal with him.

The waitress returned with their drinks and to take their order. Once they were alone again, Savanna cleared her throat and asked a question about his job.

“Did you work this morning?”

He frowned. “Yeah. Been busy, but not too busy to eat lunch with you.”

Savanna smiled and ducked her head.

They talked about movies and the books they both read. There weren’t that many, but they did share a couple of authors. He teased her about her love for paranormal romances.

“I mean really, shape-shifter lovers? Isn’t that sort of kinky?”

“I happen to like kinky,” she said, raising her chin.

“Oh, you do, do you? Maybe I need to bring ropes next time.” Dustin looked amused.

“Maybe you should.” Two could play at that game, she thought.

He laughed and waggled his eyebrows at her. “I think we’ll have some fun next time we have some time alone.”

The waitress returned with their orders, and they ate in silence. Savanna wondered if he would actually get kinky with her. She was game to try most anything. The idea got her excited. She sighed. All she needed was wet panties to deal with the rest of the day. Maybe she could run home and change.

“Hey, you have an interesting look on your face. Are you thinking naughty thoughts about us?” Dustin asked.

“I plead the fifth on that one.” She laughed.

Dustin leaned over. “So if I checked you, I wouldn’t find that you’re wet and ready for me?” he whispered.

“Shh. Someone is going to hear you.” Savanna took a good drink of her water and smiled mischievously at him.

She slipped off her shoe and ran her foot up his leg. Sure enough, he was just as turned on as she was. His cock lay along the inside of his thigh all hard and long. She smiled and slipped her shoe back on.

“You little minx,” he said.

“I’d better get back to the spa. I don’t want to leave Irene by herself too long.” She stood up. “I really enjoyed lunch.”

Dustin stood up and pulled her toward him for a kiss. As his kisses went, it was tame compared to the usual ones when they were alone.

“Have a good day. I’ll talk to you later.”

Savanna blew a kiss and left, thinking dirty thoughts all the way back to the spa.

* * * *

Thursday evening, Savanna had just gotten home when someone knocked on the door. Thinking it might be Dustin, she smiled as she opened the door. Her smile dimmed a little but not a lot. Karen stood on the other side.

“Hey, I bet you were expecting someone else with that smile,” Karen said as she walked inside.

Savanna closed the door behind her and laughed.

“Caught me. I’m glad you came, though. I haven’t seen you since last weekend.”