Page 23 of Icing on Top
When I returned, I grabbed my phone and snuggled under my blankets. I allowed myself to open Ben’s text message only when I settled.
Ben: Good girl. That was so hot! I had my AirPods in, and fuck, I love to hear my name on your lips. I’m so hard right now, baby. When we get out of here, we’ll pick up where we left off in the office today. Give you more than just your fingers to come on.
Nova: I’m going to hold you to that.
Ben: Trust me, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
Nova: I’ll make dinner.
Ben: Sounds perfect. See you later, baby.
I couldn’t have stopped smiling if someone paid me to as I drifted off to sleep.
Several hours later, I blinked my eyes sleepily as I looked around my room, trying to calibrate. I didn’t usually take naps, so my brain was confused. As it woke up, another smile spread across my face. I hadn’t felt this happy in a long time. I jumped out of bed excitedly to start dinner. I had a few hours until they arrived and wanted to ensure everything was perfect. I didn’tknow exactly what was on the agenda for the night, but by all indications, it was about to be a plug-the-holes type of situation. While this thought terrified me, the new version of myself I was trying to embrace almost shook with excitement.
I decided meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans were a good enough dinner, so I cut the onions and mixed the ingredients into the meat. I topped my loaf off with a ketchup and brown sugar glaze and popped it in the oven. I would prepare the rest of the food after preparing myself.
I showered, shaved, and polished every inch of my skin and then took the time to blow out my hair until it fell in long, silky tresses down my back. I knew Linc had a thing for my hair and preferred to see it down. I dressed in a lacy lingerie set and squeezed myself into a little black dress that might have been a size or two too small, but the material was stretchy enough that it worked. I didn’t think the guys would mind all that much either way.
By the time the meatloaf was done, I had finished the potatoes and green beans and set the table. I contemplated making dessert and decided they could have me for dessert instead. With visions of being spread across the table and devoured, I sat at the table and waited for them to arrive.
And waited.
And then I waited some more.
After an hour, I finally made myself a plate of food and zapped it in the microwave since everything was cold.
After two hours, I told myself they got a little delayed at work and would be along at any moment.
After three hours, I felt like an idiot as I put dinner away, locked up the house, and went to bed. I tried to tell myself something came up, but I kept circling back to one simple fact: they would have called if they cared. I must remember that lust didn’t equate to love or even a tiny degree of caring. Ours was abusiness arrangement; if we had a little fun along the way, so be it. We were all consulting adults, but just because they wanted me sexually and enjoyed spending time with me didn’t mean I was a priority in their lives.
Christmas Tree Farm
Lincoln
28 Days Until New Year’s Eve
Iwas angry, beyond angry. I barely managed not to slam my mug down on the counter and shatter it. Grant raised his eyebrows at me as he filled my mug. We hadn’t gotten home until close to five in the morning, and it was only eight now. I was still tired and pissed. We stood Nova up. Maybe not intentionally, but it happened.
“This is why relationships don’t work for us,” Grant stated as Ben walked in looking gloomy. “We don’t have the time, and things come up at the drop of a hat that we can’t ignore.”
“I told her we would be over for dinner,” Ben said. “She cooked for us, and we didn’t show.”
“I knew you two were getting too close to her,” Grant said. I scoffed as he continued speaking as if he wasn’t lost in Nova’s orbit. “You need to remember that this is temporary. It is a business contract, nothing more.”
“Bullshit,” I replied. “You tell yourself whatever you need to not feel as shitty about last night as we do, but I still call bullshit.” I gulped my coffee while Ben nodded in agreement.
“Who had his dick in her yesterday?” Ben asked. “You’re just as hooked on her as we are. You’re just too scared to admit it.”
“I’m not scared,” Grant growled. “The fact of the matter is, we aren’t able to maintain a long-term relationship with anyone.”
“I refuse to believe that,” I argued. “We have to be better. For Nova. Hell, for us. Other people can balance their work and personal lives, why can’t we?”
“He has a point,” Ben said.
“We busted our asses to grow Triple Tech to where it is today, and you want to throw it away for some woman?” Grant asked incredulously.
“We didn’t say that,” Ben replied calmly. “We said we want a healthier life/work balance.”
