Page 26 of Bad Business

Dallas quickly wipes himself off and slips his boxers and pants back on. He sits on the edge of the bed and proceeds to wipe off the remnants of our coupling. As he wipes between my legs, reality sets in.

“Shit, Dallas… we didn’t use protection.”

“I’m clean.” Dallas brushes his hand across the back of my leg. “I don’t ever have sex without a condom.”

“I’m not necessarily worried about that… I mean, I’m clean too, but Dallas.” I roll over and sit up. “I’m not on anything right now. When we moved out here, I stopped getting my shots. I’m sorry I should have told you.”

“Hey.” He pulls my ankle, drawing my body into his lap. “It’s nothing to stress about. I know this is fast, Willow, but you’re it for me. You and Juniper have burrowed into my heart, and I don’t intend to let either of you go. In fact, let's get you dressed so we can go home.” He helps me to my feet and pulls me against his chest.

“You’re mine, Willow.” He leans down and grabs my dress off the floor. He helps me into my panties and watches as I slip my arms through the straps of the matching bra. After getting my dress back on, Dallas leads me out of the room, his fingers tightly wrapped in mine.

“Sir.” Carlos approaches, and I know the blush covering my skin is visible, but he says nothing, sparing me from the slight embarrassment. “Miss Prince was removed as you requested, but she made some idle threats I thought you should be made aware of.”

“Okay.” Dallas waits, but Carlos glances my way. Seeing his expression, Dallas grunts. “Carlos, Willow is no wallflower. I can assure you whatever Clarissa said is nothing she can’t handle.”

“She made several loud remarks about Miss Rivers, then threatened to ruin her for taking what was hers.”

Dallas laughs, the sound making me jump. “Her first mistake is thinking I was ever hers. What exactly did she say about Willow? Any direct threats or just a bunch of bullshit?”

“She ah…” Carlos shifts nervously on his feet. “She referred to Willow as a whore, and that you’re only using her for her pussy. She made comments about going to your house and letting all the people who live near you know that you’re a tramp who steals boyfriends.”

I can’t stifle the laugh. “If she thinks that makes me quake with fear, she’s dumber than I thought.”

Carlos rubs the back of his head. “I told her that she’d best think twice about that because that would make Mr. Nash run even farther away from her. That woman is unhinged, but I don’t think she’s a problem. I just wanted you two to know in case she does do something.”

“Thanks, Carlos.” Dallas dips his chin, “Let me know if she shows back up here. Hopefully, she’ll realize what we had was nothing more than a quick fuck.”

I can’t help but cringe at his crass words. Carlos tosses a sympathetic glance my way, but I force a smile.

“Thank you for dealing with her.”

“You’re welcome, Miss Rivers.”

“Wait here, Willow. I’m going to let Calli know we’re leaving.”

I watch as he walks toward the bar where Calli is chatting up a member. Carlos clears his throat, making me turn my gaze to him.

“Excuse me for stickin’ my nose where it probably don’t belong, but I think you should know that he’s different with you, ma’am.”

“Different, how?” I glance back at Dallas briefly.

“Less… grumpy for one. But the way he looks at you… I’ve never seen him look at another woman that way. And as much as I hate to say this, Mr. Nash has been with plenty of women. What you two have is something I thought he’d never let himself have. You’re good for him, Miss Rivers.”

“Please, Carlos. You can call me Willow or Will. I think we’ve worked together long enough to lose the formalities.”

“Will?” He blinks in confusion.

I can't help but chuckle at his expression. “My dad wanted a boy… unfortunately, he didn’t get one either try. He always called me Will growing up, and most of my friends defaulted to that as well.”

“I see.” Dallas joins us again, “Well, if you two need anything, you know how to find me. Good night, Mr. Nash… Will.”

Dallas turns to watch him walk off, “Did he just call you Will?”

“Yep. That’s what friends call me, Dallas.”

He pulls me against his chest and tips my head up to stare him in the eyes.

“I will never call you that, Willow. Your name is too beautiful, like you, to be shortened.” He presses his lips to mine in a quick kiss. “Let’s get home and see how Little Bit is doing.”

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