Page 6 of Concealed Deception

“What the fuck, Lacey?You’re only telling me this now?And you’ve been complaining about that teeny, tiny, little space these past few weeks of unpacking when you own the fucking top floor!Argh!”I don’t know where to begin with this tirade.Perhaps with a drink.

As I make my way into the little foyer before storming to the elevator, Lacey pulls my elbow, and I hastily spin on my heels.She’s looking at me with mischief in her eyes, and I know that only means trouble.

“I’ve had enough for tonight, Lacey.Can we not deal with tonight anymore, please?”I plead.

“Do you trust me?”Her stare scares me into submission, so I nod.Right now, I’d follow her off the Brooklyn Bridge if it meant the night ending without more added drama.

“Let’s show you where you could be living if you weren’t so stubborn.”I follow without another word until the elevator’s bell chimes.

“Lacey, this place is beautiful and so large.Why can’t I pay you what I pay now and we move up here?”

She’s laughing at me again.

“Will you stop that?I’m embarrassed enough about my money situation without you laughing in my face.”

“I’m laughing at the absurdity of your comment.You first demand you pay your way, by splitting rent regardless of where we are, then you offer up a different form of payment once you realize I own this property.Ava, I didn’t argue with you because I didn’t want to rub it in your face.I’m happy with the arrangement we have, I promise.Now, seeing as we’re here, we might as well have a drink.Sit, I’m sure I’ve got something hiding in the cupboard.”

I take a seat on the luscious couch, running my palm along the cool surface.You can still smell the distinct tell of pure leather and its divine fragrance.

Looking around the room causes a pang of envy.I laugh to myself at how ridiculous that sounds.I could never afford such a gorgeous living arrangement; it doesn’t mean I can’t ogle this one and dream of one day having my own.

It doesn’t take long before I have a drink in hand and Lacey is scrolling through my phone for possible matches.I’ve never had any luck with these dating apps, and as much as I’d love to delete it and not continue with Lacey embarrassing me, she insists ‘the one’ will appear out of thin air.

“You’re fucking shitting me.Ava, you have a perfect match,” she cries in excitement, while I’m busy picking my jaw off the floor.

“You’re kidding?Let me see.”I quickly snatch my phone from her, bringing it close to my face.The guy on the screen is hot.Like, sexy hot.“I want to lick him,” I blurt.

Lacey’s hysterical laughter bounces off the floor-to-ceiling windows and fills the room.“You might get a chance to because I already sent him a message.”

From lustrous hunger, my bulging eyes change their expression to one of murderous fury.“For the second time tonight, Lacey, what the fuck were you thinking?We don’t know him.For all we know he could be a sociopath.What did you say?”

I find the message written.

Me: Hey, handsome.Are you down for some fun?

And I cringe.Moments pass of me staring at the screen, wondering how I’m going to get out of this, when a message pings back.

Rowan: Hey yourself, gorgeous.I’ll go down any way you like.

My body heats at the thought of this sexy stranger’s head between my thighs.Whether it’s the alcohol or his devilish smirk on his profile picture, I want him.

Lacey snatches the phone, reads the screen, and with desperate fingers types a reply.

Me: If your tongue’s as smooth as your words, what else have you got to offer?A big personality, I hope.

“You’re referencing his dick to his personality?Lacey!You’re going to get me in trouble.”I’m peering over her shoulder as she waits for the next reply.And Rowan doesn’t disappoint.

Rowan: Baby, you’re in for a treat.I have a very high energy personality!

Me: Smooth.Does that work for all your matches, or just me?

Rowan: Nice to know it’s working.Do you want to know what else would work well?

Me: ?

Rowan: Putting my personality to the test in person.

Me: …

---