He’s a disgusting, old stuffie I’ve had since childhood. It was given to my mom as a gift. By my biological father, Aaron. Liam adopted me after birth because Aaron was too much of a loose cannon to raise a baby, or help my mom at all. The fox is the only thing I have left that reminds me of him. I try not to think about him very often. Aaron was also a SEAL. Not only was I raised by Liam, a stalwart operator, but biologically the spec ops blood runs through my veins. That overwhelming influence is how I validated my feelings when I always felt different, more mature than my peers, growing up. I was never like the normal girls, never into the things the magazines said I should be in to. I see Aaron every once in a while, but I’m nothing like him. Not in the ways you’d expect a daughter to be like her father.
I stare at Clement now, thinking of him. I’ve loved all the hair off and now it resembles a burn unit victim. I chewed off the nose as a toddler, and gracefully pooped it out, so it doesn’t have a nose, just several black stitches on the snout point. After I’ve loaded him in, I sit on the suitcase and zip it all the way around. I’m wearing a tight-knit dress over my bathing suit still, but remove my flip-flops, cram them into the side pocket of my bag and lace up my running shoes.
I open the cheap blinds with two fingers to peek out. I can’t see the parking lot, but I can tell they’re probably still mulling around hoping for a reappearance of their antagonist. I still myself as much as I can to try and hear any movement that shouldn’t be there. I can’t believe he would bring them here. That he wants them in his business.Of course, he wants them to follow him around, Aara. It’s how he stays relevant.I hate myself for falling for him to begin with. I use the restroom quickly and wipe under my eyes when I catch sight of my reflection. Marissa’s ring tone starts screaming from the counter by the front door.
I run to answer it and yell into the receiver, “Henry Durnin is at my complex, with every goddamn media outlet asking to talk to me.” I huff in a deep angry breath. “Marissa, he is all up in my space calling me love and asking to be a team again.”
“He’s there,” she verifies, because this is completely absurd.
“In the ripped jean wearing, British slang spitting, smarmy flesh. He’s here.”
I’m tapping my foot and my teeth are clenched. “I’ll be right there,” Marissa pants.
“I’m staying at Hart’s,” I offer, wincing in wait of my friend’s reply. “I told you how big his house is. I’ll have my own wing.”
“You’re going to live at Luke Hart’s house and you’re talking about staying in a separate wing? Henry really has fucked your head up, hasn’t he?”
“Shut up.” I huff, retreating to my room to grab my bag. “This will die down and then I’ll be home. It’s honestly safer at his house. He has honest to God security and fences and no one can see onto the property.” Drones might be able to scout from above, I muse, storing that tidbit for later.
“Have you told Liam yet?” My dad. Shit.
“No, but he’d want me safe and he thinks we’re just friends.” I blew it.
“Hah! I knew it. You aren’t just friends.”
Back pedal. “We haven’t even kissed. It’s more of an intellectual connection.” I cringe at my own words.
“You are full of it!” Marissa is cackling now. “You connect on baser levels because you both are of the same mind with military stuff, but I guarantee the man isn’t worried about that connection now that you’ll be sleeping in his house, Aara.” Her laughter quells. “You know it’s not allowed.”
I swallow hard and roll the suitcase to my front door. “That’s why we haven’t gone there yet, but I’ll tell you what, you’re right.”
“Did the unimaginable happen? You’re telling me I’m right?”
I wring my hands by my sides. “The chemistry is unlike anything I’ve ever encountered. It’s as if my body is a match and the sight of him flicks me to life. Also, he’s sort of…nice.” I heave a breath. “It’s not allowed. I could ruin everything by giving in to a desire. It makes me feel weak. Like I’m failing a test they’re giving me. Proving them that mixing sexes is a mistake. That women will ruin the dynamic. Even knowing all that, I don’t think I can stop it.”
“That man isn’t a test. Everyone feels the same way you do. Look at him! You’re just lucky that he feels the same way about you.”
“Don’t do that. Don’t tell me you want him as much as I do. We’re not in that headspace yet, Aurora Ball.”
“Ew, don’t say that. I love you, I’d never do you like that. I’m giving you outside perspective so you feel better about your wanton desires.” Her microwave goes off in the background. “It’s warranted, but you need to be really careful because you’re also right. This is risky-ass business and if you think you’re being hounded now. Imaginethatscandal.”
In the sober light of day away from Medusa stares, and hotels and reality, I know my friend is correct. “We won’t even think about that. It won’t turn into that. Key isn’t in the ignition yet. Attraction hasn’t met desire. There’s still some semblance of practicality.”
“Yet.” Marissa is chewing food noisily. “Is Henry and fan club still there?”
“I don’t know. My window doesn’t face the parking lot. Remember, you talked me into the lakeside view?” It’s a retention pond, really. But it’s better than a view of cars and light poles.
Marissa belches and excuses herself meekly. “That’s right. Okay, well if you don’t need me to come over there and storm the masses, Bad Girl Club is waiting.” I hear her drink something. Wine, if she’s about to watch her show. “Love you, girl. Be safe. Text me when you get to the sex compound safely.”
I roll my eyes. “Shut up. You are the worst.”
“I can be whatever I want to be because I’m your one and only.”
“Oh, please. Bye, B.” I hang up the phone, irritated and pleased. The only way you ever leave a conversation with your best friend. The huge tub of protein powder is on top of my fridge and I know I’ll need that. I put it in a reusable grocery bag along with a box of protein bars and start my expedition to my car. The crowd is gone, but a white news van follows me out of my complex and all the way up to La Jolla even though I drive faster than the speed limit.
The second the tall iron gate slams behind me, I breathe easy for the first time. It’s a winding, cobblestone driveway that leads to the most palatial house–if you can even call it a house, I’ve ever laid eyes on. Bringing up his wealth or his inheritance never occurred to me because it’s literally all anyone else talks about. His flashy Lambo. His mansion by the sea. The fact that he never needs to work a day in his life, but is a government employee. Those are things used against him constantly, and well, I feel life’s circumstances shouldn’t be a talking point. Sometimes I think I’m making things weird by not mentioning it at all. Like I’m intentionally trying to bury my head in the sand. Other times, I’m certain he’s glad I don’t factor it in. I don’t want to be seen as my gender, so I take the task of separation of wealth to heart.
I park my car in the same spot as last time and notice there aren’t any other vehicles here. No family members or friends stopping by. Me and him. Alone. In his palace by the sea. The cool breeze hits when I step out and pop my trunk. Today would have been so much nicer if we spent it here at his private beach. No one else’s music, or conversations, or crowding. I set my wobbly suitcase down and tilt my chin skyward. “It’s good to be rich,” I sigh, lugging my suitcase over the cobblestone drive toward the staircase that leads up to his front door.
