Page 11 of Exposed

My lungs burn when I take a sharp inhale. She’s even more hypnotizing now. The warm, rich brown of her eyes gives way to reddish specks around the inside.

“You’re even prettier now,” I whisper, and she breaks eye contact as her eyes shift to my covers.

She’s young, so maybe she doesn’t realize how gorgeous she is yet.

“You’re beautiful, you know that?” I could lean in and kiss her right now, but then I’d lose all self-control. I’d strip her naked and make her come repeatedly until she was a drenched mess. Not sure she’s up for that tonight, so I keep my lips to myself.

“You like your job?” I ask, switching to first date level questions to make her comfortable.

“No,” she shakes her head vehemently. “I’m not meant to be a server. I’ve only worked there for six weeks, and I’m lucky I haven’t dropped a tray of food or drinks yet. It pays well enough, so it’s a temporary gig while I figure things out.”

I nod in understanding. What did she do before catering? She has to be hiding, but from what or who? Is that why she wears color contacts, to disguise what she looks like? Sadly, I don’t think she’ll answer any of those questions tonight.

“What about you? You like your job?” She asks.

“I love photography. Not sure I want to stay in wedding photography. What’s your dream job?” I ask.

“Promise not to laugh.”

“What do you want to be, a clown?” I joke with a smile.

“No.” She swats my arm playfully, and I like that she feels comfortable touching me.

Then, she tosses her head so her bangs move away from her eyes and makes direct eye contact with me again. Her boldness turns me the fuck on, like she’s got bravery in spades.

“Being a stay-at-home mom is my dream job. But having kids racks up the bills, it doesn’t pay them.”

I wasn’t expecting that. Women can be really career-focused, but it’s not a bad thing to want to be a stay-at-home mom either.

“Why did you think I’d laugh at that?” I ask. Her ambition is hot.

“I don’t know. Seems like women get judged for wanting a career, but then we get judged for wanting to be moms.”

She’s right.

“Someone will always judge you for your decisions. Screw ‘em. Go after your dreams, Pepper,” I share.

She looks at me curiously but stays quiet, so I go back to surface questions.

“What did you do before catering?” I ask, pushing to see what she’ll share about her past.

“I work tomorrow. We should probably get to sleep,” she changes the subject.

“You don’t want to talk about your past. Got it,” I nod. “Let’s sleep.” I turn off the light, and we’re bathed in darkness. I nudge Shani to the side, then turn to face Lucy.

“Can I spoon you?”

“I don’t know. Can you?” She claps back.

“It’s like that, huh?” I tickle her side, and shelaughs. It’s beautiful. Sweet and husky, and I want to hear it nonstop.

“Stop.” She continues laughing and swats at my bare chest, but I don’t relent.

“Only if you turn over so I can be the big spoon.”

“What if I want to be the big spoon?” She huffs.

“Do you?” I ask.

---