Page 65 of Big Bad Bully
I truly hope he arrives home while I’m in the shower and finds me here, making myself at home like a bad hook-up who won’t leave the morning after.
I haven’t decided whether I’d let him have his way with me or leave him hungry as I flounce out in the sexy go-go boots Caroline gave me.
But I’ve been in his shower for a full thirty minutes, and he hasn’t shown up. I guess I need to get a move on, so I can meet Madi. I was hoping we could go over together from here, but she texted to say she has to work late, and she’ll meet me over there.
I still haven’t worked out a plan for Pepper, who is sitting on the fluffy gray bath mat, waiting for me with his big brown eyes glued to the glass shower door.
I haven’t found a home for him, which is a problem, since my apartment doesn’t allow pets. So far, I’ve smuggled him in each night then brought him with me to Billy’s. I didn’t even have to use Billy’s credit card to buy food and toys because all that stuff arrived at my door as if delivered by magical fairies.
I suspect the magical fairy was Billy’s assistant. Am I surprised Billy went out of his way to help take care of a little puppy? Maybe a little, but less than I thought I’d be. Billy acts grouchy, but he seems to care more than he lets on. He pretends to be annoyed by Pepper, but when he washed the little dog, he was gentle. I think deep down I knew Billy would have hidden depths of kindness; otherwise, I wouldn’t have brought a poor, defenseless puppy to his door.
But I still need to find a puppy-sitter for tonight. Pepper is doing well–he’s already learned to only pee on the puppy pads or go outside. I was hoping if Madi and I left here together, I could leave Pepper with either Billy or Brick, but that plan didn’t come together.
Which means…I could really annoy the hell out of Billy and just leave him a puppy surprise when he comes home tonight. While I sort of love the idea of being that obnoxious, I don’t want Pepper to have a terrible time.
Hmm…decisions, decisions.
I help myself to Billy’s razor–committing the cardinal sin of dulling a man’s face razor by shaving my legs and bikini area then get out of the shower and help myself to a fluffy towel. I take my time getting dressed, rocking the skin-tight light gray t-shirt dress with the white go-go boots.
I rummage through Billy’s refrigerator for dinner. He still hasn’t shown up by 6:30, and it’s time to go, so I put Pepper in the little carrier that I bought for him to sneak him in and out of the building–it could pass for a duffel bag if you don’t look too closely–and I leave it by the door.
“I’m sorry, baby. I’m leaving you with the monster tonight. Hopefully he’ll be nice and feed you something in the morning, but I’ll come early to make sure you get taken out, okay?”
Pepper gives a little chirp of a bark.
“I know. I love you, too. Be good.” I make kissing noises and swallow the pound of guilt coming up my gullet as I shut the door.
It will be fine. Pepper will be okay, and annoying Billy is worth it.
Especially after the disappearing act he played this week.
I step into the elevator, trying to ignore my misgivings. Everything about tonight feels wrong. Billy disappeared. Madi couldn’t meet me here to go together. I hate leaving Pepper without being sure someone can watch him.
I feel off track.
I don’t even know what I’m doing screwing around in Billy’s building when I should be focusing on the Sentience case.
Saturday is their gala, and they will be unveiling my mural. That will be my chance to get the evidence we need for the case.
It will be my biggest risk yet, but there’s no one else who can do it. As the artist, I have an invite. I also have a security pass.
It’s the best chance we have at bringing them down.
Billy
I walk into my apartment at seven, knowing from the tracker on her phone that Aubrey just left.
It was purposeful timing on my part. I require a full reset where it comes to that female, and that means avoiding the temptation of her nutmeg scent and delectable body.
I lift my nose to drink in her scent. It’s mingled with the flavor of drying paint, the damp of a fresh shower, and dog.
A small duffel bag is by the door, positioned over a puppy pad. Right. It’s a dog carrier.
Pepper gives a sharp yip of joy at my entrance.
“Hey.” I make my voice sharp, and Pepper whines.
I tug off my tie. Aubrey showered here and left the damn dog. Why in the hell would she do that? Does she not care about the well-being of this rug rat? Or does she harbor a higher opinion of my compassion for small animals than is justified?
