CHAPTER 2
Jaime
After I’d given Gloria the antique diamond ring on the Grand Roue, it seemed like everything between us changed.
Admittedly, I wasn’t prepared for her reaction. Marrying her wasn’t on my mind. Where the hell had that come from? We’d known each other for barely a week. All I was doing was trying to move things forward, show her that I cared about her. In retrospect, maybe the ring wasn’t a good idea. I could sell a dime for a dollar, but I was no expert when it came to relationships.
While the night was still young, Gloria insisted on going back to the hotel. The ride back in the limo was strained. Her spine stiff and straight, she sat as far away from me as she could, fidgeting with the ring as if she might take it off.
“Come here, you.” When she didn’t budge or even turn to look at me, I sidled closer to her, putting my hand on her thigh. I hadn’t forgotten that I’d torn off her panties, leaving them behind on the wheel. A thank you for Claude for taking us on that erotic thrill ride. I’d ridden her to heaven. Set off fireworks in sync with those of the Eiffel Tower. Spark for spark. My explosion meeting hers.
My cock still throbbed. I was still so erotically charged from that mind-blowing orgasm. With nothing between us except her red dress, I longed to slip my hand under the chiffon and play with her clit. Slather my fingers with juices like I had up in the sky. Set her bundle of nerves back on fire and make her come all over my digits. And then fuck her senseless once more right here in the back seat.
The second my hand touched down on her satin skin, she flinched and yanked it away. Almost in the same breath, she crossed her long legs.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Her behavior surprised me.
“Please don’t touch me.” Her voice was as cold as dry ice. The words stung.
Before I could say a thing and frankly, I was speechless, my cell phone rang. With the awkwardness in the air between Gloria and me, I decided to take it. It was probably Ray wanting to know when I’d be back in the office. Slipping it out from my pocket, I glanced down at the caller ID screen. Unknown number. It rang again then stopped before ringing again. The signal.
Reluctantly, I answered it and upon hearing the familiar voice I regretted it.
“I can’t talk right now,” I responded. “I’ll get in touch tomorrow.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Gloria turn my way. Her face was piqued with curiosity. Then it darkened, her duo-colored eyes narrowing at me.
“Your client?” she said snidely, folding her arms across her chest.
“Yeah,” I lied.
She held up her middle finger with the ring on it. “Maybe you should have given this to her.”
She was flipping me off.
Fucking secrets and lies.