Page 16 of Manny

“I think I can manage that.”

“And no action movies, romcoms only.”

She giggles. It’s a nice sound. I like Lace happy. “As long as I get to pick.”

I waggle a finger at her. “Now who’s getting all demanding?”

So we head to my place for the afternoon. It’s weird, having someone else at my home. Nobody has ever been here before, not even anyone from the club. It’s mine.

“Manny, this is…” she trails off, her mouth agape. “So fantastic.”

Okay, maybe I didn’t exactly make it clear that my place is pretty spectacular. In a small complex of six, it’s all white, including the interior. The living space features ornate molding with light, wooden floors and it’s bright and airy. The kitchen has Carrara marble countertops and stainless appliances. A small laundry sits just off the kitchen with the powder room, across is a small spiral staircase leading upstairs to the two bedrooms and main bathroom with teak finishes tiled to the ceiling with marble countertops, just like in the kitchen. The landing I’ve converted into a reading nook. I also have a private courtyard with lounge seating and a grill. I love it here. It’s quiet, peaceful and my neighbors are great.

I love that she’s lost for words. It makes my dick hard.

She runs her hand over the marble countertop, her eyes on the bath I’ve never used. I’m more of a shower guy.

“So you like it?”

She turns. “It’s unbelievable. I can understand why you’d want this all to yourself.” As if sensing that it’s a big deal for me to let her stay here, her voice is sincere when she asks, “Are you sure you want me here?”

I smile. “Of course. I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t want you here. Though I’m afraid you’ll now get to see just how boring my life really is.”

She shakes her head. “I know you’re a workaholic already, and you practically live in the clubhouse. That doesn’t sound all that boring.” She pauses. “Are you seeing anyone?”

I swallow hard. “Not right now. Sadly, I’m busy conjuring up recipes to keep my brothers happy. Dating has kinda taken a backseat.”

“I’m not a slut,” Lace blurts out.

I balk in surprise. “I never once thought you were.”

“I just wanted to make that clear.” She tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. “I like sex, but I’m not good at picking the guy, or at least I haven’t been in the past.”

Hearing her say she likes sex does nothing for the giant wood I’m now sporting. “You don’t have to explain anything to me, but maybe you’ve been shooting way below your worth with those guys,Chantilly.You ever thought about that?”

We’re only inches from each other. I feel the heat growing between us, and I wonder; does she feel it too?

“My brother says that all the time,” she sighs.

“I’m sorry if I sound like a broken record.”

She places a hand on my arm, and it practically scorches me through my shirt. “You don’t. You’re sweet.” She reaches up and kisses me on the cheek. I get a faint waft of her perfume. It’s soft. Something I can’t place, like violets and champagne, if that were a combination.

My dick is so painfully hard, and her lips touching me do nothing to quench my thirst for her. What I’d give for one more touch.

Her eyes meet mine as she pulls back. We’re so close. I want to close the gap, but she does it for me. She pecks me on the lips quickly. “Thank you.”

Holy fuck balls.The kiss is so quick, so brief, that if my eyes weren’t open, I wouldn’t believe it.

I’m stunned. My hand reaches to the back of her hair and a squeak leaves her throat. “You don’t have to keep thanking me, but if your lips touch me again, we could have a problem.”

“Holy shit,” she whispers. “Manny… I’m sorry…”

I smile, trying to make a joke out of it when inside my pulse is racing. “Stop apologizing. And hey, you kissed me first, so I think my comment was warranted.”

“I wanted to show my appreciation.”

It’s like a bucket of cold water thrown over my head. Of course, she just feels sorry for me. I’m an idiot for bringing her here, but I genuinely felt bad for her situation. There I go again, always being the nice guy. I didn’t do it to try to get into her panties. I’m not that kinda guy. But when I play hero, shit usually goes downhill fast. Still, I can’t back out now.

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