Page 20 of A Photo Finish
“Oh, never mind him. He doesn’t believe in coffee.”
Macy looks genuinely horrified as her hand falls across her collarbone in mock shock. Her eyes rove up and down my body appreciatively, making me squirm, before she holds one hand up beside her mouth and leans into Violet conspiratorially. “There are certain flaws I’m willing to overlook for a man like that.”
Violet gasps out a small giggle, and her porcelain cheeks instantly pinkagainas her eyes shoot up to me nervously, visibly as uncomfortable as I feel inside. I just stare at them like I’m bored, wondering if they’re done yet. I hate it when people look at me too closely; that’s why Vaughn is the face of the family mining company.
“Tough cookie, that one!” Macy cackles and then turns away, busying herself preparing Violet’s order.
Crossing my arms, I look around the place, taking in the rustic decor. An older woman sitting with a newspaper smiles at me, her skin crinkling around her eyes when she says, “Good morning.”
I carry on with my assessment, hating to admit that there is a certain charm to the place, when I feel a poke in my ribs and glance down to see Violet’s furrowed brow looking straight up at me.
She whisper-scolds me, “She just said good morning to you.”
I lean down toward her. “I know.”
“But . . . you just ignored her.”
“I don’t know her.” I don’t like small stalk. Or strangers. Or how small-town people don’t know how to mind their business. If I don’t invite that type of behavior, my time here will be less irritating. I’ve established myself as unapproachable before, and it really doesn’t take long to accomplish if you offend people thoroughly enough.
Violet’s bottom jaw drops open like I’ve just said something shocking. “You have better manners than that, Cole Harding. You’ve been opening doors for me all morning.”
“Are you scolding me?”
She crosses her arms and raises one eyebrow at me in challenge. Her hip juts out as her slender arms fold beneath her breasts, and I focus on the mud in her hair so I don’t sneak a peak of how her stance might press them up.
Her body still haunts me.
“Do I need to?”
She nods.
I groan inwardly, while outwardly smiling in a way I’m sure looks more like a wild dog showing its teeth, as I turn back to the woman at the table. “Good morning,” I say clearly before turning back to Violet, whose eyes are dancing with amusement.
She rolls her lips together like she’s holding back a laugh before she hits me with a full, blinding smile. A genuine smile. “Was that really so bad?”
All I can think is that I can’t remember the last time someone looked at me likethat.
8
Violet
Yesterday he stopped respondingafter I turned down his offer for . . . whatever he does. Watches you masturbate while he calls all the shots?
Sounds bizarre.Then why are you squeezing your thighs together just thinking about it?
How does he even know he’ll be attracted to me? Or I him? Why would anyone do this with a stranger? Is this guy really some sort of orgasm magician?
I pull my phone out, determined to get to the bottom of this.
Pretty_in_Purple:Why does anyone sign up for this arrangement?
I throw my phone down on my bed and get dressed for the morning, trying to work out why I’m so fixated on figuring this out when it has no bearing on me. It’s not like I’m going to do it.
When my phone buzzes, I practically throw myself across the bed to grab it. Smooth.
Golddigger85:Still thinking about me, huh?
Pretty_in_Purple:What if I’m a total butterface?
