Page 22 of The Lies You Love
“Is it not obvious what I want?”
She licks her lips, and I can’t focus on her mouth for too long. “I wouldn’t be asking otherwise. Tell me your plan.”
A car storms by, going way over the speed limit, and I move us closer to the building and order her to tell me. I ask what Walker has specifically that she wants. Auden throws her arms out to the sides. “You know,” she deadpans.
“I want to hear you say it,” I counter.
She swallows hard. “I want a long-term relationship, maybe marriage, maybe not, I’m not sure I believe in that institution anymore. I want a man who will stay. I want a kid. Just one because two seems like a lot of work, and I want what my parents have. It’s perfect.” She stays silent, and I know she’s not finished, so I wait. “Sometimes, I think I would be less fucked up if I grew up with an unstable childhood. If I didn’t have my parent’s perfect marriage and life to focus on, maybe I wouldn’t know what I’m missing out on.”
I smirk. “You’re blaming your parents now?”
“What’s the alternative? Taking the blame myself?” Her returning smile tells me she’s joking. “I don’t mean that. They’re great, I’m not good at it. I got it so wrong that I don’t know how to do it right.” Her eyes turn sad. “What about you? What do you want? Long term.”
My heart races, and I turn my gaze to the sky. “Define long term.”
“Ten years. What would be your ten-year plan if you had to decide on one right now.”
I sigh. “The same as yours if I find the right woman.”
Griffin comes barreling out of the front door of my apartment building in the distance and spots us immediately. “What are you guys doing? I hoped to catch you fucking in the car or something. Let’s get a move on. The strippers wait for no one!”
Auden looks disappointed we didn’t finish our conversation and that I didn’t give more details. I’m disappointed we didn’t finish in the bedroom but delighted I didn’t have to speak anymore on that subject. Blowing out a long breath, I usher Auden toward Griffin and the door.
“Give us ten to get ready, then order a ride,” I tell my friend on the way by.
He says something in reply, but the closing door silences the end of it. She’s quiet as we take the stairs up, and she moves around my apartment with ease once we’re inside. Auden pours two drinks and gives me one before telling me she’s going to get ready in the bathroom. Does she already have me labeled as someone who isn’t going to stick around? I shouldn’t care, and I never have in the past. I know what I can offer a woman and I’m honest about it. Why is it now I want to lie? Not lie totally, but tell her I can give her what she’s asking for? It’s because I’m hard dicked for her and haven’t been laid so properly in years. It’s the logical explanation. After a month of sex what she wants won’t matter, nor will I be twisted up over her anymore.
I dress quickly and do my hair in the full-length mirror in the hall because she’s in my bathroom. My laptop is in the guest room across the hall, and I open it up and log into the secret account that holds all of my Charge Man portals. The reports on Ramsey are detailed, and I know I won’t be able to get through one before Auden is ready, but I’m curious. My stomach drops to my knees when I see Grey’s write-up about Ramsey’s mid-day fuck with my best friend. I can speed read. It’s a talent I’ve always found useful, mostly as a kid because it annoyed the shit out of my sister, but later I realized the gift. There’s nothing in there about me, and I don’t see Auden’s name in here aside from a conversation about a certain plant Ramsey wants.
I exhale noisily just as she pokes her head into the room. I didn’t hear her finish in the bathroom. I might speed read but it definitely takes away from my reaction time. “Ready?” I ask while simultaneously closing the lid and setting my laptop down on the desk.
“Office?” she says, glancing around curiously.
“Yep,” I reply, leading her out of the room and into the living room. “Had to double-check something.” Now I’m double-checking her mile-long legs in the skimpy dress and heels. She tied her hair back and put on a little makeup. Not a lot. “Check you out,” I add when she sees me ogling.
“Something work-related on your month off?” she asks.
I nod. “Business doesn’t stop just because I’m off,” I explain. Then another once over her body has me ordering, “You and me. Just you and me this month. Are we in agreement?”
Her smile is wide and tempting. “Asking for exclusivity after a one-night stand? What kind of male are you?”
I kiss her on top of her head and then bend in to plant a wet one on her lips. “One who knows exactly what he wants.”
****
Griffin picked the one club owned by the Rifts, the same assholes who own Silver Moon and several other off-brand and off moral places of business. I argued with him for about sixty seconds, but the driver already had our drop-off point marked, and the way everything is digital, he might have blown a gasket if we’d asked him to change the location. Even with my hand gripping Auden’s thigh all the way to the club, I couldn’t shake the fleeting feeling in the pit of my stomach.
We’re sitting at a small table near the center stage, and the lights are low. Auden looks around curiously, and Griffin can’t shut up about Ramsey, who was already busy tonight. She must have really left an impression if he’s talking about another woman inside such an establishment. I can’t help but be on guard. I can’t shake the feeling that I’m guarding, even when I’m not, because I know the people who run this place are no fucking good. As a Charge Man, I wouldn’t let Ramsey in here. There would be some decoy or scenario I’d make up to keep her away. That’s just facts. Auden has her legs crossed, and she’s bouncing one heeled foot to the music as she sips a bottle of beer. Strippers should have approached us immediately but didn’t. The bouncer looked at my I.D. longer than usual at the door, and a few security guards shot daggers when I met their gazes. This is dangerous, and the only thing I have as a vulnerability is sitting next to me.
Griffin stops talking to her and moves closer to the stage when a red-headed dancer engages him with her tits. I move closer to Auden and lean in to inhale the sweet scent of her hair. “Having a good time?”
Are you?” she asks, flicking her gaze up to meet mine.
I nod, uneasiness slipping over me. “Will be even better when we’re finished here and back at my place.” Several pairs of eyes are aimed at us, well, Auden. “What was your plan for this?” I wave my arm around the room. “Any specific reason you wanted to join in on this? Other than what you’ve already told me?”
She lifts and lowers one shoulder. “Your friend invited me. Most of my friends are driving me crazy. Figured he might give me some insight on the inner workings of Beckett.”
“You thought he’d give you dirt? On me?” I smirk, almost forgetting for a second where we’re at. I palm my chest and shake my head. “I’d have to give them dirt first, and I’m clean as a whistle, baby.”
