Page 84 of Finding Hope

In all this time, I never asked for her number – because I’m a dumbass – but despite my disappointment, I still find myself smiling and thinking of her.

When she smiles, she makes me feel good. When she smirks, she makes me feel naughty. When she’s dressed up as nightclub Bambie, she makes me feel horny. And when she’s dressed down as a schoolteacher, well, I’m still horny, but then I’m thinking up role play scenarios with slapping rulers and bending her over desks.

Looking down at my vibrating phone, I frown at the unknown numbertrying to get my attention. The babies are asleep, the house is wound down.

I’m not answering.

Swiping a finger across the red button, I throw the cell down and go back to watching the clock.

Even without being on the pro fighting circuit for the last year, I still get calls and texts from randoms that somehow got my number.

The calls come a hell of a lot less than they used to, but still, a few times a week.

My phone lights up a second time. It flashes and vibrates and demands my attention the way Bambie does, but it’s not her, itcan’tbe her, and she’s the only person I want to speak to, so I don’t answer.

Lifting her head with a scowl, Annie glares and huffs like it was a kick to the head and not a vibrating phone that woke her.

“It’s not my fault! Some women are thirsty, but you’re the only girl for me.”

Snorting, she lays her head back down and twitches her ears in a way that I justknowshe’s calling me a fucking ass. Ignoring her, I glance down when my phone vibrates with a message.

Unknown: Answer your phone, dumbass!

Scrambling – and smiling like athirstyfucking idiot – I swipe my thumb across the screen, redial, and hope she’s not redialing, too. I don’t want to hit a busy signal.

“Yeah?”

“Bambie?”

Laughing softly, the sound of her in my ear sends arrows of pleasure ping-ponging through my body. It just can’t decide whether it should settle in my heart or my dick.

“Yeah, it’s me. Didn’t think you were gonna take my call.”

“I didn’t know it was you. I didn’t know you had my number.”

“You gave it to me!”

“Well, yeah, but you gave it back.”

Laughing again, her breath comes short, like maybe she’s climbing stairs. “You gave me your number and told me to call you if Ineededa bailout.”

Shooting up from my bed, I rush to the far wall and grab my shoes. “You need bailing, Bambie? I can be there in five.”

Rustling trees and heavy breath move through the phone. “Actually, I kinda do. But I need it right this second. I think I’m about to break my neck.”

Fuck. Fuck!“I’ll leave now. Give me a few minutes.”

“Ah, no, actually. Just look out your window. Imma need your help before I fall.”

“What?” Sprinting to my window, I rip it up and grit my teeth at the squeak it emits. The kids are asleep, and Emma wakes when a leaf falls on the ground… A hundred miles away.

Bambie laughs. “Well, I really hope yours is the room at the front of Kit’s house. The lights are on, but I guess that could mean anything. But then again, Bobby’s hot, so… Wait. Which window is Aiden’s?”

Poking my head out of my window, I come face to face with a smiling Bambie and almost wet my pants with fright.

“Surprise.”

“Jesus!” Tossing my phone to the bed, I lean over the windowsill and take her under the arms. Pulling her through, I hold her against my chest and close the window again – silently. My girly squeak probably wokeallof the kids. “You scared the piss out of me, Bambie.”

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