Page 21 of Up All Night
"So, are you headed back home to South Carolina?"
"Not yet, no.I've still got a lot of shit going on.But I'll be heading back this weekend, hopefully.I'll be glad once I've got a place out here.As ironic as it is, I hate staying in hotels."
"Didn't you say that you have family out here?"
"I do, but I don't like letting the cat out of the bag until everything is in stone."
"I get it."
"So.Did he take it?"
"No.Not even close.He actually laughed at me."
"You're kidding.What an idiot.Is he just wasting your time?He should know by now that he's never going to sell at that price."
"I've counselled him left and right, Stone.Believe me.I think he's got a couple of screws loose, frankly, since he's only got another month before his mortgage comes due.Unless he's got money to burn, which obviously he does, he setting himself to lose a ton of money."
"I guess he figures by selling for less than half the asking price, that he's fit to lose anyway.But at this rate, he's going to lose two months' worth of mortgage payments or more.The guy does seem a little looney.Or maybe he's getting a fantastic settlement with the lawsuit.Even still, he's losing money, and any sane wealthy dude would not settle for that."
I snort a laugh."Wealthy dude."
He's being cute."What?What did I say?"
"You just have a way of talking like a teenage surfer sometimes.It's funny, considering you're a billionaire."
He makes a gagging noise."When you say it like that, you make it sound like I've got a stick up my ass."
"It's not intentional."
"I know."He pauses."So, did he at least lower the asking price?"
"He's thinking about it.I'm supposed to meet with him tonight to discuss."
"Yeah?What are you doing after that?"
"Going home.Take a swim in my pool.Why?"
"Well, I thought that I could at least take you out to dinner.Considering that I have this personal rule, you know."He hesitates, being playful."I don't sleep with a girl without taking her out for a meal first.But since you seem like sort of the eat your dessert before dinner kind of girl, I figured that maybe you could make an exception."
My stomach sinks.I know it's farfetched and ridiculous, but I don't want to take the chance of being caught with Stone in public.But I do want to see him again, even though every cell in my body is telling me that it's a double-edged sword.I know that he's the best sex I ever had, but I also know that I can't pursue anything with him, without first figuring out if Lucy will flip out or not.Knowing that if I blow him off, that he might take offense, and maybe even tell Lucy, anyway, I figure it's best to meet him halfway."How about I order in and we eat at my place?"
"Fair.But only if you let me pay."
"That sounds good."
I will not sleep with him.I will not sleep with him.I keep telling myself that.Like a mantra.
Chapter 6
Stone
Herhouseiscute.Small, but cute.Modern but warm.And the pool and yard is so kickass, I'm jealous."Aren't you going to show me the inside?"I ask her, as I set down my bag.She texted me earlier, telling me to bring my bathing suit and a change of clothes.
"It's a mess.You'll be disgusted."
"Like I fucking care."I chuckle mirthlessly."Let me guess.You've got stockings hanging in your bathroom, and girly things on your bed or something?Dishes piled in the sink?Am I getting warm?"
“I also haven’t done laundry in weeks.My hamper is spilling over onto the bedroom floor.“
