Page 33 of Unhinged

I splutter into my coffee, surely hearing him wrong. “Me, helping you? What’re you smoking? I have nothing.”

“You keep me company here. I could always use another bartender or someone to serve drinks to tables.”

“Like a waitress?”

“If you’d like.”

My frown is immediate. “I don’t know, Amos. Thank you, but I’ll think about it.” Can I really work with Amos? Good God. It’s not like I have much of a choice.

“Very well.” He checks his watch that probably costs more than my life.

Annoyed, I laugh disbelievingly. “Don’t give up on me that easily.”

“I’ll never give up on you, Simone. As should nobody else.”

Amos stares at me like he knows something he shouldn’t. I don’t see how. It’s not like Greg Rodwell would blab about the very thing he hates me for accidentally stumbling upon. Thinking about him again drags me from caring what Amos says and to that moment in my bedroom.

“God. I want you, Simone.”

“I want to fuck your pussy. Now.”

Greg told me he hadn’t had sex willingly before his disgusting time with Shasta, so I thought it meant something that he wanted it with me too. But maybe I’m gullible. I mean, he may have moved on without a problem after our almost night together. I haven’t.

At least something positive came from his romp with Shasta: Birdy. I miss her clean baby smell, the way she blinked at me with a bottle, her hatred for cheap diapers, and her frustrated cries when she received subpar care. A girl who knows what the hell she wants. I used to be like her. I’d love to take Birdy to the park or purse shopping. Maybe her first manicure—

“Simone?”

“Hmm?” I look up at Amos and instantly regret it, so I return to my coffee I no longer want.

“Is something troubling you?” More than you’ll ever know.

I fake a smile but can’t meet his eyes, so I swirl my coffee. “Nope. Just nervous about today.” Not even a little.

“Well, you’ll do great. Dr. Abramson is excited to work with you.”

“Did you feed her lies that I can’t top?”

“I did no such thing.” Amos checks his watch again. “You don’t want to be late on the first day.”

“Is that why you’re driving me there?”

“In case you need a moment before we arrive.” He may have a point, but it’s not work I’m moping over.

Setting down my coffee mug, I pick up my purse and coat, eager to start the day so I don’t stew. If only I could get my life on track.

The car ride is quick. Amos doesn’t probe with more questions, and I don’t have to make up more lies. What’s the point in telling him about that night with Greg? He’d try to fix us. Us never existed.

Or maybe, like Finn, he’d tell me to stay away from him. No problem.

Upon entering the suite, a hot stud at the reception desk smiles. His teeth are bright, his brown hair is tousled, and his arms fill out his white button-down shirt better than I fill a bra. “Hello? Do you have an appointment?” His full lips wouldn’t have to tease my clit for long. That’s always a bonus. Shit, I need to get laid. The woman at the lobby reception desk was cute. At this point, I’d sit on her face.

“Don’t you think that’s more of a second date question?” I smile, but I’m careful not to giggle stupidly. If he’s open for a fuck—great. I won’t sugarcoat a stale effort.

His smile widens as his gray eyes twinkle. “What can I say? I work fast.” As soon as he says that, he laughs with a crook of an eyebrow. “Not with everything.” His muscles ripple beneath his shirt, and his eyes pierce mine. I could use rough sex. The faster, the better, and this guy could be a perfect conquest. I have no qualms with a quick screw in the restroom. It doesn’t matter if I’m ragging it soon. If he’s into it, he can slide into my ass, where no man has gone before. Desperate times call for desperate holes to fill. Maybe.

My pussy tenses, as is its normal state now, and has only gotten worse. Fingering myself is useless and does nothing to ease the strain, fizzling with a pathetic orgasm if I’m lucky.

But I haven’t fucked another dick in over a horrendous and laughable year. I held out for a guy who belittled me and only wanted me until I was of no use to him anymore. My next experience will be different. I won’t be fucking my way through men to find my soulmate. I’ll be fucking my way through men to forget that absurd notion. From now on, it’s all about the screaming O and scoring some good dick. My pussy will thank me.

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