I straighten my top—the only stitch of clothing left on my body. Sometime during our sex my panties were ripped off. Like in a movie. I creep toward him, excited, but unsure of what he intends to do. When I reach him, he gives me a toothy grin and hands me my jeans. That’s it? I punch his chest. Teasing me again.
“Ouch.” He rubs his pectoral. “Were you expecting something else?”
“Yeah, a ride home.”
“Don’t be silly—there’s no rush.”
Yes, there is. The more time I spend here, the less time I have to reorganize my life. It feels like I’ve been in Corpus for weeks already. So much is changing so fast. “I need to take a shower,” I say. “I’m sticky.”
“Want me to join you?” He’s still hard.
I do. I don’t. I can’t let him. “I’m sure I can handle it on my own.” I turn away and head upstairs, my jeans draped over my shoulder.
“Nice ass…” I hear as I reach the second floor.
He has nice everything. But I won’t inflate his already overgrown heads. I flip on the light in the guest bathroom. There’s a garden tub and separate shower. A hot bath. I turn on the spigot and close the drain. I love scalding hot water. I take my top off and look in the mirror over the sink. Considering what I just did and after sleeping for hours, my black mascara and eyeliner look pretty good. Hell, I’m surprised Craig didn’t lick it all off. But our lovemaking differed greatly from what we started this morning. Not as many kisses, more desperate—possessive.
The tub is three-quarters full now and I shut off the water, then climb in. I groan as I recline against the wall. The world always looks better from a bathtub. I could sit here forever.
—
I shake my head and groan under my breath the minute she disappears upstairs. That ass. When I turned on the kitchen light and saw her on all fours, I wanted to ram inside her again. I didn’t expect her to want to go home so soon. Most women beg to stay the night so we can play again in the morning. But Marisela isn’t any other woman. She’s stubborn, almost uppity. I don’t mind snobs. It’s a turn-on. Makes it more satisfying when I dominate them. Knocks the snootiness right out.
I head to the half bath next to the garage. I turn on the light and grab a washcloth and towel. I wash my face and crotch. I’ll take a shower after I drop her off. Her scent is still all over me, and I want to enjoy it a little longer. I’m infected with her. More than I want to be. Maybe Desire is the safer choice. My relationships don’t usually last more than a few months. Long enough to get familiar, short enough to avoid deeper feelings. On my part. I’ve received five marriage proposals in three years. One from a lawyer who works downtown. She’s still my attorney. I smile. Another from a dancer at the Den. She no longer works there.
Not that I categorize Marisela with them. I don’t know where we’re headed. I don’t want to hurt her. I care. I turn off the water and towel dry. I’m worried. I stupidly let my little head override my common sense. No protection. I didn’t ask her if she’s on birth control. But damn, it’s been too long since I’ve felt the inside of a woman without a rubber on. The difference is amazing. I turn out the light and run upstairs to my bedroom to get dressed. Marisela is in the hallway.
“Okay?” I ask, flipping on my bedroom light.
She looks at me. “Sure. Ready to go?”
I wince. I want to kiss her so she’ll change her mind and stay the night. “Give me a minute,” I say dispassionately. “I’ll meet you downstairs in five.” She nods and slips by me. Wow. Never had that happen before. I open my closet and grab a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. I get dressed and slip on my Doc Martens sandals. I look around the room. My wallet and keys are somewhere downstairs. I turn out the light. I hope Garrick and Robyn are sleeping; I don’t want them to know what’s going on yet. I jog downstairs.
—
Someone is pounding on my bedroom door. “What?” I grab a pillow and fling it at the door. I stare at the alarm clock on the desk. Nine? I didn’t go to bed until after two. Shit. “Who is it?”
Robyn opens the door. “Rise and shine, sleepyhead.”
I swipe the pillow from underneath my head and cover my face with it. “Really?”
“Long night?” she asks.
“Long everything.”
She snickers. “Get used to it. You’re officially employed at the Devil’s Den. And since you are, I’ve invited someone over for breakfast you haven’t seen in a long time.”
I uncover my face and shoot up. “Who?”
“Macey.”
“Best friend Macey?”
“Yes.”
I smile. I absolutely love that girl. She’s so funny, and I’m going to work with her. “When is she coming over?”
“She’s downstairs already. Has a key to the house.”
I scramble out of bed, half-naked. I grab a pair of shorts from the dresser and a halter top. “I’ll be right down.”
Robyn laughs and closes my door.
If I can get in good with Macey, maybe the girls at the club will back off. No more used tampons in my clothes. I brush my hair and put on some powder and lipstick. I look in the mirror and shrug. Who am I trying to impress? I open the door and rush downstairs. I trip on the last step and tumble into the kitchen. Robyn turns, Macey stands.
“Good God, girl,” Macey says. “You all right?”
“Yes.” I’m embarrassed, but unhurt. I climb to my feet and hug Macey.
“Look at you.” Macey holds me away from her. “She looks just like you, Robyn. Twins.”
“That’s what they say,” Robyn agrees. She turns back to the counter.
I smell oatmeal and see fresh strawberries and blueberries on the table. Yummy. I’m so hungry, an aftereffect of Craig’s crazy lovin’. I sit down.
“I heard what happened last night,” Macey comments.
I shake my head. No, please don’t. Too late.
“What?” Robyn serves us.
“Nothing.”
Robyn looks at Macey, her hand on her hip.
“Desire wrapped a used tampon in Marisela’s shirt.” Macey won’t lie about anything for me. Robyn is her best friend.
Robyn’s eyebrows crinkle. “That bitch. Why?”
I’m not talking. I don’t even know who Desire is, but I’ll look out for her in the future.
Macey showers her oatmeal with a handful of blueberries. “Because Craig dumped her.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask sharply—too piercing.
They both stare at me.
“Yup,” Robyn says. “The bastard strikes again.”
“I can’t believe it.” Macey looks disgusted. “What did that asshole do to you, baby girl?”
I flush instantly. “Nothing.”
“Shit.” Macey shoves her spoon in her mouth. “You can’t hide that freshly fucked look from us. Want me to kick his worthless ass, Robyn?” She looks at my sister.
Robyn’s mouth opens, then closes. “Unbelievable. Marisela, how could you fall for his…shallowness? I mean I love him like a brother, but he’s a dog.”
I fist my hands under the table. Here we go again. I’m an adult, capable of making my own choices. “It’s not like that.”
“You think he’s going to commit and you’ll get that happily-ever-after we all want?” Macey asks.
Robyn rolls her eyes. “We trusted him to take you to the club.”
“Yeah, well,” I say, “maybe I’m the one who instigated the whole thing. Ever think of that?”
Robyn sighs. “Did you?”
I swallow. “Yes.”
The most obnoxious laugh I’ve ever heard busts out of Macey. “That’s fresh,” she says. “A baby like you doesn’t have the skills necessary to seduce a man like Craig. He let you think you did, but it’s all him.”
I’m through being the target of their doubt and ridicule. “Who’s Desire?” I need to know. I deserve to know. Did Craig dump her for me?
“Another conquest,” Macey says.
“Not his girlfriend, but she sees it differently.” Macey twirls her finger by her temple. “Crazy bitch. And she’s pissed at you.”
Robyn takes a deep breath and puts her spoon down. “Marisela, you need to be really careful. Some of the girls at the Den are vicious. And Craig—well, I don’t need to tell you what he’s capable of, do I?”
I deeply appreciate her concern. I know her experiences with Craig are mixed. However, it’s been a long time—people change. “He’s different now.”
“You mean he finally got over Robyn because Garrick nearly kicked his ass?” Macey throws me a look. “And he targets you because you’re the next best thing?”
“Macey!” Robyn cries.
“That came out wrong—sorry.”
Tears burn my eyes. “How long ago was he seeing Desire?”
Macey’s jaw locks. “Three days.”
“Oh. My. God.” My heart thumps. My hands twitch. Three days? He screwed another girl less than a week before me? “That’s disgusting.” I trusted him. I wanted him so bad. I thought…what was I thinking? He warned me. How can I face him again? “I’m a fool.”
Robyn and Macey both nod. I nearly fall out of my chair. “What am I supposed to do?”
Robyn grabs my hand from across the table. She gives it a good squeeze. “Stay away from him if you can. Ignore him. Be cordial at work, nothing more.”
“Dirty dog,” Macey mutters under her breath.
“Look.” Robyn perks up. She opens her purse and takes out a wad of cash, then slaps it on the table. “Garrick and I want you to go to the mall with Macey and buy a new wardrobe. Get some costumes, too.”
I tap the stack of hundreds. “That’s a thousand dollars.”
“Yep.” She smiles. “Consider it a coming-home gift. And after a couple more days, we’re going to see Mom and Dad, together.”
My mouth drops open. “No.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll call them.”
“You can call before we drive to Odem.” She’s not going to take no for an answer.
“Fine.” I can’t deny her anything. Saint Robyn. My only true friend in the whole world right now. “Why aren’t you taking me to the mall?”
She grins. “Garrick and I have an appointment with the doctor—ultrasound time.” I love that’s she’s so excited to be pregnant. I want a niece—a miniature Robyn to hug and play with.
“Call me after the appointment?”
“You bet.”
“Come on, baby girl.” Macey taps my shoulder. “We’ve got a lot of work to do. We’re getting your eyebrows waxed, too. Cara Delevingne brows look shitty on you.”
I can’t believe she just said that to me. I laugh. Macey is crazy. I stand, walk around the table, give Robyn a big kiss, then shoot upstairs to get my sandals.
—
I hate shopping, but I need to buy a birthday gift for my mother. That’s what I was doing here yesterday before I spotted Marisela. I’m in Dillard’s looking at silk scarves when I see Marisela across the aisle, admiring herself in a full-length mirror in the women’s department. I don’t believe in coincidences. She’s wearing a strapless lace cocktail dress. She’s stunning. I head in her direction.
“Baby.” I come up behind her.
She frowns, then turns around. “Get away from me.”
What the fuck? I stare at her; there’s pain and humiliation in her eyes. Why? “What’s wrong, Marisela?”
“Wrong?” She pokes me in the chest. “As if you don’t know.”
I really don’t. “Tell me,” I growl.
She crosses her arms defensively over her chest. “You used me, asshole. Sleeping with me when you already had a piece of ass. Desire? Remember her? The one who wrapped her bloody tampon in my shirt because she knew what you were doing. How can I get mad at her? You played me.”
I didn’t want her to find out this way. I scan the department. It’s early on Sunday—no one is around. I sigh. “I’m sorry. I broke it off…”
“When?”
“Days before I met you.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Yeah, Craig.” I hear a familiar voice.
I whip around. Watchdog Macey is on duty and she looks angry. “Leave her alone.”
“Can’t do it,” I say. “Some things are private, Macey. This is one of those moments. Go away.” I gesture rudely for her to shoo.
She thrusts her hands on her hips. “I’m not going anywhere,” she says, raising her voice. “You are.”
“No, I’m not.” I clasp Marisela’s arm. “Come on, baby. We need to talk.”
She shakes loose. “Screw you.”
I’m pissed. A saleswoman appears from nowhere. “Is everything all right, ladies?” Her gaze sweeps over me disapprovingly. “Do I need to call security?”
I stare at Marisela. She looks away. I growl at Macey. “You’re acting like a bitch.”
“You need to leave,” the clerk says, pointing toward the doors.
I clench my fists. “Marisela.”
“Go away, Craig.”
Fuck. I can’t believe it. I leave—I’ll see Marisela soon enough.
Chapter 9
All I want to do is go home, get my bike, and go for a fast ride. No Craig. No Robyn. No Macey. That path of destruction I always leave in my wake is getting longer. Now it stretches from Waco to Austin to Corpus. I go back to the fitting room and take off the dress Macey encouraged me to try on. I put on my shorts and shirt.
“Marisela?”
I open the half door and peek out into the hallway. Macey is standing nearby. “I’m okay.”
“Doesn’t look that way to me.”
I shrug. What does she want me to say? That I’m overjoyed the guy I like, the one I’ve wanted to hook up with since I was seventeen, turned out to be more of a dog than I ever imagined? Or the guy I just had hot, nasty sex with broke my heart in less than twenty-four hours? “I can’t turn my feelings off and on like a light switch.” She must think I’m a fool.
She gives me that big-sister look. Maybe that’s where Robyn learned it. “We all think with our little heads sometimes,” she says. “If we didn’t, we wouldn’t be human.”
“But I really like him.”
She sighs. “I know. I’m sorry. Let’s go to the register, buy these clothes, and I’ll take you to my house. I can fix those eyebrows.” She smiles.
I can’t help but laugh. I grab the clothes I like off the rack. Three pairs of jeans, two pairs of black slacks, five blouses, and two dresses. Thank God for sales. Macey is one of the best-dressed women I’ve ever known. She’s going to rub off on me. No wonder she works five nights a week. She has a clothing habit to support. “Like everything?” I ask as we head to the register.
“It’s a great start,” she says.
Twenty minutes later, we’re in the parking lot. Macey’s black Jeep is located in the nosebleed section. I see Craig’s red Mustang. Music blares from his open windows. He’s leaning against the side of his car.
“No way,” Macey says and starts to walk ahead of me.
“Please…” I call. She stops and faces me. “Let me do this.”
She studies me for a long moment, then looks at her watch. “Five minutes. I’m going to Chick-fil-A to get a soda. When I return, make sure he’s gone.” She hands me the keys to her car. “In case you need to take cover.”
Macey has a very distinct strut. I can’t help but watch her stride away. Once she’s out of earshot, I turn around. Craig is standing a couple of feet away. I head to the Jeep and unlock the passenger-side door. I stash my bags, then look at him. “Why are you here?”
“To make sure you hear the truth.”
I close my eyes. The late summer breeze feels so good on my face. “I already know.” I open my eyes halfway.
“Bullshit.” He grabs my arm. “Look at me, Marisela.”
I don’t. He gives me a good shake. “I never promised you anything, did I? We both rushed into it—I a
dmit it. I don’t regret it. In fact…” He cups my face. “I want more.”
I feel his hot breath on my neck. Goose bumps. I glance at him. “I never want to be subjugated by a man again. Cheap, emotionless sex doesn’t do it for me. And I don’t like sloppy seconds. Even if it comes in a pretty wrapper.”
He concentrates on my eyes, then wets his lips. “What we shared wasn’t cheap. I already told you—confessed—there’s something between us. What more do you want? I’m here. Isn’t that proof enough?”
I snicker, unimpressed. “You think waiting for me in a parking lot is proof you care? Really? You’re so narcissistic. Even Estevan can do better than that.”
He roars, shakes me again, and leans in threateningly. “Fuck Estevan. Want me to smack you around a little so you feel right at home? Is that what you need? Want? God,” he huffs. “You haven’t even started work at the Den and you already think like a stripper.” He lets go.
“We argue about everything. That’s not normal!”
He rubs the back of his neck. “I’m trying to be nice to you. Can’t you see that? We argue because you refuse to listen to reason—any reason but your own. God, you piss me off.” He blows out a frustrated breath.
I stand back and regard him critically. “That’s precisely why we should forget everything that happened between us.” I’m lying. How could I ever forget? I shiver and it’s 80 degrees outside. “I have to go.” Macey is back.
He gives me a conflicted look. “Are you showing up for work Wednesday?”
“I’ll be there.”
—
I look at my watch. It’s seven and Marisela hasn’t arrived for her first shift yet. I check the parking lot, not sure if she’s riding her bike or catching a ride with Macey. I haven’t seen or talked to her since Sunday. I’m going out of my mind. I’ve spent the last three days alone, thinking about what I should say when I see her again. Nothing works. She’ll never accept my explanation about Desire or the other women in my life. But I want to make peace with her, even if we can’t be together again. Ten minutes later, her motorcycle appears. I slip inside unnoticed.
I wait in the hostess booth. She opens the front door. “Marisela…”
Seduction Page 7
