Page 64 of Something Cheeky

“I’m not worried about my staff. It’s that DC is a big city with small-town vibes.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Until you dragged me back into theater, I had no idea how much I missed it. Iwantto design more costumes. Maybe not full time, but on the side.” She smiled and brushed his cheek with her hand.

“Zoe, I’m so excited for you! People won’t know what hit them.”

“That’s just it. If I fuck this up, Greg will make sure I won’t find any more gigs. He knows everyone in the theater scene here. He could easily get me blacklisted.”

He couldn’t fight her on this. Greg’s influence extended beyond DC. His mentor’s connections and reputation were how he’d convinced Prestige Rep’s board to produceT?m Câm.

“I don’t know if I can go through that again,” she whispered. Her eyes shone with tears.

“Oh, Zoe,” he said quietly and wrapped his arms around her. She laid her head on his chest and sniffed. He hugged her tightly and wished he could protect her from Greg and all the other people like him.

“I let Professor Jerkface push me into quitting theater and I’m not letting anyone, especially Greg, take away my second chance at this career.”

Derek couldn’t argue with her logic.

“If that’s what you really want, then I’ll keep quiet until opening night, when your duties as costume designer are complete.”

“Everyone will be so surprised. TJ will flip.” She giggled.

“But I can’t hide it from Th?o. She’ll know immediately that something has changed between us,” he added.

Th?o would know he’d gotten laid as soon as he walked into the rehearsal room. And she’d pester him until he told her with whom.

“Good point. Trixie will have lots of questions about why I didn’t come home last night.”

“We’ll tell Th?o and Trixie, then?”

“But only them. No one else.”

He smiled in agreement, relieved that he could share the great news with at least one person.

“Thanks for being patient with me.” She kissed him softly on the lips.

“I know a better way you can thank me.”

He rolled her onto her back and kissed her neck. She closed her eyes with a smile and turned her head to give him more access to her silky skin. Once she was relaxed and purring with pleasure, henudged her legs open with his knees as he nibbled his way down to the soft curves of her stomach.

She tapped the top of his head and he met her hungry gaze.

“Don’t you have to be at rehearsal in an hour?”

“Let’s see how many times I can make you come in the next hour.” He resumed caressing and kissing her abdomen.

“Oh, challenge accepted.” She laughed before pushing his head back down between her legs.

Chapter 29

Mr. Bobbins meowed loudly as soon as Zoe stuck the keys into her apartment door. He weaved between her legs, almost tripping her as she tried to take off her shoes and set down her bags.

“My poor baby,” she cooed as she scooped him up and snuggled him against her chest. “Did you miss me?”

The fluff ball purred loudly and rubbed his head against her chin.

“I’ll make it up to you tonight. Promise,” she whispered so as not to wake up Trixie. “I had the best time last night, which means you and Derek have to learn to be friends.”

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