Page 87 of My Mistake To Make

GC:Sorry, baby. I had to get back for Bo, and I didn’t want to wake you. When you get this, I want you to let your fingers wander down your body, under thesheets, and make yourself come. You did so good last night. Now keep going. Keep figuring out what you want and need. You can tell me all about it later…

And being thegood girlthat apparently I am, I did just that.

I’m giddy when I get out of the shower and hear the work going on outside. I know he has a crew here today, so I can’t kiss him or talk to him in any way other than as my contractor, but I can’t wait to see him. I blast my hair dry and pull it up into a ponytail, put on a bit of mascara and lip balm, then my high-waisted black skinny jeans and a vintage Queen tour t-shirt I bought on eBay, cut the sleeves off, and cropped. I put on my chunky black boots since it’s looking like rain today and grab my leather biker-style jacket, just in case, before heading out.

Stepping out onto the porch, I scan the area. I can’t see him,dammit. I make my way down the path toward my car when I spot him laughing with one of the guys. He has on black jeans, too, today, and a faded black t-shirt with the sleeves rolled up a little. I’ve seen and felt him totally naked, but, my god, he looks indecently sexy like this.

As if he can hear my thoughts, he turns and meets my gaze. The guy he’s talking to looks in my direction, too and both of them look me up and down before Doug sends the other guy on his way and walks toward me.

‘Fuck,’ he mutters quietly before glaring at me. His eyes reflect back at me, fire and lust and all the things that he makes me feel.

‘Morning.’ I smile, and he nods.

‘Mornin’.’ He glances around, and I notice him clenching and releasing a fist at his side as though forcing himself not to touch me. ‘You look so fucking sexy today.’

My breath catches at the compliment, and I have to look away from the intensity of his gaze.

‘Where you headed?’

‘I’m meeting Zoe for lunch.’ He nods just once. ‘You should get back to work.’ I try to sidestep him, and he ever so slightly stands in my way, just enough that my arm bumps his, and I freeze.

‘Did you do what I told you to do?’ he asks. His voice low and slow and so delicious.

I meet his hungry stare, then continue toward my car, unlocking it and opening the door as he turns to look at me, and I smile.

‘Twice.’

Doug throws his head back and groans as I close the door, start the car, and drive away.

‘Hey, there.’ Zoe waves and smiles as I walk into the diner to find her sitting at one of the window bay tables.

‘Hi.’ I smile as I bend down to hug her.

‘Damn, you look fine as hell today,’ she comments, making me laugh.

‘Well, thanks. You look pretty great yourself.’ She does too. Her hair is wavy, the top half-pinned back, and she’s wearing a dress. I’ve only ever seen her in jean shorts or flannel pajamas. ‘Hold on, why do you look so fancy?’

She chuckles. ‘I have a date.’

‘Ooh, do tell.’ She looks so excited.

‘He’s from out of town. I’m heading out to meet him this afternoon, so we’ll see.’ She grins, and I smile. ‘A girl’s got to get her kicks, right?’ I chew my bottom lip, unable to help replaying last night and this morning in my head, and I feel heat bloom on my cheeks. ‘What was that look?Ohh, wait, you did it, didn’t you?’ She beams and leans forward across the table toward me. ‘Yes, baby. You dirty girl.’ I can’t help but laugh.

‘What can I get you, ladies?’ Merv says, appearing at the end of our table.

‘Oh, I think Cara wants the fingers.’ My mouth falls open, and I stare at Zoe as she smiles up at her unofficial stepfather. ‘The chicken finger wrap. You said that was good, right?’ She turns her smile on me, and I want to bludgeon her with the sugar dispenser. ‘In fact, make that two. Iloveme some fingers.’

Merv shakes his head and walks away while I ball up a napkin and throw it at my giggling friend.

‘You’re an idiot.’

‘Maybe, but I am proud of you.’ She smiles sincerely now, and I relax. It feels so good to have a friend to laugh with. ‘So, are you doing okay? Last night was a trip.’

I nod. ‘I am. It was lovely to be honest. Your mum is so sweet, and hearing all about her friendship with mine was so nice.’

‘Crazy, though. I didn’t know we had ever even met Charlotte, so seeing those photographs was so weird. And my dad. He looked so young and spunky. I see how he hooked my mom so fast.’ She grins.

‘What did she mean when she said he rolled into town?’

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