Page 92 of Wild Love
“Are you still in pain?” I watched her walk around the office gingerly all day yesterday, and today I’m done with it.
“Why? Are you going to give me another orgasm to help?”
“If you ask really nicely.”
That has her eyes snapping up to mine. “Well, Aunt Flo is here, so you probably wouldn’t want to.”
I shrug. “That’s what showers and dark towels are for.”
Her blue eyes go comically wide. “What did you just say?”
“Rosie, I’m a grown-ass man. Your period doesn’t scare me.”
She blinks back at me, pure shock painting her face, and carries on like I didn’t say that to her at all. “It’s just the first couple of days that I feel like shit. Same old. I’ll be good as new by tomorrow.”
“Go home.”
She snorts, eyes back on her screen. “No. There’s nothing wrong with me. You already overpay me. I’ll work. You just don’t want Scotty making googly eyes at me while I sit at my desk.”
I don’t wantScottyanywhere near her, but I won’t admit that. “No, I don’t want you working while you’re not feeling well. This isn’t an emergency room. Nothing is so pressing that you need to torture yourself being here. And I pay you in line with industry standards and an amount befitting your level of education.”
She sighs, sounding exhausted. “Ford, women have been working through their periods forever. Stop micromanaging me. When I get home to my shitty bunkhouse and pet mouse—who I think I might name Scotty—I will eat junk food and lie in bed feeling sorry for myself like a big girl.”
Pet mouse?
She really needs to stay at my place.
I turn away, knowing a losing battle when I see one. But not before I toss over my shoulder, “Just because women have been working through their periods doesn’t mean they should be.”
“Knock that off,” she mumbles to my back. “Nice Guy Manager doesn’t sound nearly as cool.”
I can’t help but chuckle as I reach into the pocket of my leather jacket and pull out my keys.
“Where are you going? You just got here!”
“I have an errand to run.” I toss her a wink as I stride out the doors. “I’ll be back later.”
“Wait! Isrunning errandscode for masturbating again? Was it awkward with West there?” She shouts it loud enough thatScottyfumbles his paintbrushes out of the back of his truck.
Her laughter fills the air, and at least that means she’s happy.
And even if it’s at my expense, I’ll take it.
When I return that afternoon after running errands, Derek Scott is still checking Rosie out. I swear the guy is part owl. He can be facing the wall opposite her and somehow turn his head about ninety degrees.
I find myself wishing he’d turn it a little too far as I flop back into my chair. Then I open my email and fire one off to Rosie.
Rosalie,
We should work at the house. These paint fumes aren’t healthy.
Have a happy day!
Ford Grant
CEO and Producer at Rose Hill Records
I don’t look up when her computer pings. And when I hear thewhooshsound of the incoming email, my stomach flips. So lame.
