Page 111 of Mine

I pouted as he rolled off me and then the bed. He stretched with a slow groan. We’d both slept naked, which I became fully aware of as he looked me over appreciatively.

“I have robes,” I said. “If we want to remain… accessible.”

He arched a brow playfully and turned. There were two silk robes hung up. I usually alternated between them throughout the week. One of them was lilac and the other black.

Salt surprised me by choosing the lilac one. He winked as he pulled it around himself and then left the bedroom. I immediately sat up, shaking my head.

Bruises marred my skin. My ass ached. And I loved it all. Every single part of it. I traced one on my thigh and then kicked the blanket all the way to the foot of the bed, smiling to myself.

Stupid, stupid choices.

But I felt happy.

And that made it worth whatever trouble might come our way.

TWENTY-NINE

SALT

It’d beena long time since I cooked for someone else, and I didn’t hold back. Even with the grilled cheese and ice cream last night, my stomach felt like an empty pit. “I can Venmo you,” I said as I piled pancakes, eggs, bacon, and potatoes on the bar where Pepper sat sipping on fresh orange juice with rosy cheeks and dreamy eyes.

“Don’t be silly,” she chided. “I’m starving. I think that was the most cardio I’ve gotten in alongtime.”

I poured another cup of coffee and joined her at the bar. I leaned over, sliding my hand behind her neck and pulling her in for a kiss. She softened against me, lingering until I drew back to admire her.

The silver sections that framed her face were striking against the silky black robe that hugged her body. Like the self-professed slut I was, I was all too aware of the fact that she was naked underneath.

Once we were fed, I wanted to find out what kind of sex toys she’d bought.

“What do you like to do outside of work?” I asked.

Her brows arched as she put a couple of pancakes on her plate. She poured the syrup along the side. “Are we on a date?”

I wished. I wanted to take her on every date I could. “I’m not sure this counts. But I’d like to take you on a date soon. And if we don’t have to hide things, we can go wherever we want.”

“Very true.” Her voice tightened. “It’s going to be a lot. I don’t know if you want that type of pressure. I think I’ve gotten used to it for the most part, but I’m used to people thinking I’m a bitch. And it still bothers me, but not as much as it did when I was younger.”

“They don’t know the real you, just like they don’t know the real me,” I said with a shrug. “The internet thinks I’m a guitar-playing harlot.”

“I don’t know if they’re wrong about that.”

A laugh bubbled up. “Okay, fair enough. But my point is, they’ll think what they want.”

Pepper smiled as she sipped her coffee.

Everything felt right in this moment. The way the sunlight filled her apartment with warmth. It was open concept and minimal, but there were small things here and there that told the story of Pepper. Like the awards hanging on the walls, or the framed photos that sat on side tables or hung on the fridge. Pepper posing with famous musicians, songwriters, and even actors.

I noticed Jeff wasn’t in a single one of them.

I heard a text and we both reached for our phones, but it was from mine. Nancy’s text nearly made me choke.

Who’s the girlfriend? Saw you two last night.

I couldn’t just say Pepper was no one, because that wasn’t true at all. Over the years, I’d never introduced Nancy and Beth to someone I was dating, even if it was long term.

But maybe it was time for that to change.

Do you want to meet her?

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