Page 44 of The Rich One

Oh bless this sweet man. But he cracks me up.

“Cinderella was the one with the pumpkin, Sleeping Beauty was the one with the spinning wheel.”

He chuckles, and I shrug my shoulders like I’m an expert on Disney princesses.

“Well, I’ll make sure to remember that for next time.”

“Next time? That’s a little presumptuous, don’t you think?” I’m kidding, and he knows it.

“Some people say it’s my best quality.”

I can definitely think of some better qualities about this man than being presumptuous.

Outside the diner, Nathaniel waits with me until my Uber arrives, his arms around me from behind to keep the chill off. I forgot my jacket and the off-the-shoulder top I’m wearing isn’t really fall attire. His hard chest is against my back, his warm breath against my neck, and I can’t help the feeling of contentment that washes over me.

My car pulls up and I let my driver, Eric, know I’ll just be a second. Turning to Nathaniel, I wrap my arms around his waist rather than tiptoeing to reach his neck. He envelops me in his embrace, like the best kind of bear-hug one can experience. As I pull away, he grabs the side of my face, the same possessive way he did before, his fingers caressing my neck. Then he leans in and places a soft kiss on the side of my mouth, barely brushing against my lips.

“Sleep well, Skittles.”

“Night, Nathaniel.”

“Call me Nate.” He gives me his signature wink before turning to the car and leaning inside the front passenger window. “Make sure she gets home safely.” Taking his cellphone in hand, he holds it up and snaps a picture of Eric. “Just in case, man. Just in case.”

He watches as I get in the car and reminds me to put my seatbelt on, then continues to stand there and watch as we drive away.

My apartment is warm when I arrive home, just how I like it this time of year. My adrenaline is high on some kind of cheesy happiness as I float around getting ready for bed. It was so nice to just have a simple connection with someone. A boy and a girl, no money exchanges, no unhealthy baggage.

A knock on my front door brings me out of my own head. It’s almost midnight, why would anyone be knocking on my door this late?

The last person to show up at my door at this time of night was Tyler, but I’m sure it can’t be him.

Peering through my peephole, I see no one. I can hear pounding down the stairs, so I run to the window to see if I can catch whoever it was as they leave. Fat chance, the light across the street is out so I can’t see anything but shadows.

So weird.

I peer through my peephole once more, ignoring the niggling feeling in my belly warning me something is wrong here. When I see no one is out there, I open the door anyway.

A package wrapped in some kind of black silk and tied with a black satin ribbon sits on my doormat. Why is there a package? It’s not my birthday until March, Christmas isn’t for another few months, so why is someone leaving an anonymous present for me?

There’s a card poking out of the top, so I bend to pick it up.

I thought this would make you feel better.

You need to be more careful.

What the fuck?

Opening the present cautiously, I have no idea what it is or who it’s from. What Idoknow is there’s a strange smell coming from inside.

Oh my fucking God!

No!

It can’t…

I’m going to puke. Luckily, I make it to the bathroom on time.

Some sick bastard has sent me a motherfucking dick and balls. Adecayingdick and balls.

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