"Cole, are you home?"Samantha's voice shatters our bubble.
I practically leap off his lap, steadying myself against the sink as footsteps approach.
Cole rises smoothly, adjusting his clothes."I'll handle Hurricane Samantha.Take your time."His eyes sweep over me, darkening again."You look thoroughly ravished."
I glance in the mirror and flush.My hair's a mess, lips swollen, cheeks pink.Thoroughly ravished is right.
"Oh!"I remember suddenly."I promised Samantha I'd cook with her today."
He pauses at the door, that predatory gleam returning."Speaking of eating..."His gaze drops to my core."Save room for dessert."
Heat pools low in my belly."What did you have in mind?"
"You."He winks and disappears, his voice carrying back as he calls out to Samantha.
I sink onto the floating marble bench, legs still wobbly.This man will be the death of me.My reflection catches my eye—I'm actually glowing.Post-orgasmic bliss looks good on me.
Standing on shaky legs, I notice a door I hadn't seen before.The handle doesn't budge.Locked?What secrets are you hiding, Mr.Walker?The mystery only makes him more intriguing.
When I finally emerge from his bedroom, my mind drifts back to those earth-shattering orgasms.If the sex is this good now...Six months of this could spoil me for anyone else.All I have to do is help with his mother.How hard can that be?
A nagging voice in my head whispers that it's not just the sex I'm getting addicted to.The way he takes care of me, how he makes me feel safe...No.I shut that thought down hard.This is temporary.A contract.Nothing more.
But as I hear his deep laugh mixing with Samantha's chatter in the kitchen, something in my chest tightens.Don't go falling for him, Alex.That wasn't part of the deal.
"Alex!"Samantha calls out."Come help me convince Cole that putting pineapple on pizza isn't a crime against humanity!"
I laugh, pushing away my complicated thoughts."Coming!"
One day at a time,I tell myself.Just take it one day at a time.
20
ALISHA
For he fourth time this morning, I tear through my closet like a woman possessed.Too sexy, too revealing, too bright...Every rejected outfit lands in a growing heap on my bed.My hands shake as I push another dress aside.Since when do I care this much about what someone thinks of my clothes?
I find my phone buried under a blue strapless dress and hit speed dial.Moments later, Bella's face fills my screen, her artistic workspace visible in the background.
"Hey, enjoying the sex?"Her grin is knowing.
I force a laugh, trying to hide my nerves."Yeah, I can't complain."If only she knew about this morning's bathroom adventure.
"Okay, spill."Bella leans closer to her camera."Your face is doing that thing it does when you're freaking out."
"I need help."I pan my phone across the fashion carnage covering my bed."I'm meeting Cole's mother today."
"Ah."Understanding floods her features."And you're trying to tone down the Alisha McQueen fabulousness to please Mama Walker?"
"No!Maybe.I don't know."I sink onto my bed, disturbing the mountain of clothes."I just want to make a good impression."
"Girl, where is my best friend who doesn't give a damn what people think?"Bella's voice sharpens with concern."Show me your options."
I prop the phone against my mirror and start holding up outfits.Bella's artistic eye assesses each one with careful consideration.
"The satin, soft-pink, knee-length dress," she finally declares."But pair it with that bold red jacket and your signature heels."
My fingers trace the silky fabric."You sure?What if it's too...me?"
