Page 18 of Stay With Me
Carrie, my co-worker, grins. “What’s on your mind? You seem awfully distracted today.”
“I am?” I grimace. “Yeah.” I sigh. “I am. I don’t mean to be. Just, a lot on my mind.”
“Does this ‘a lot’ have a name?” she asks, wiggling her eyebrows.
My cheeks warm at the thought of the sexy older man who rocked my world last night. “Roman.” I can’t help the smile that slips onto my face. “He’s really sweet, sexy, and god, the things he does with his mouth.”
We start to giggle, getting looks from the other waitresses. “So, is he like a new boyfriend, someone you’re seeing?”
I chew on my bottom lip. “Not my boyfriend.” God, I wish though. Wouldn’t that be something? “More like, we’re messing around? Having fun.”
She sighs wistfully. “Ah, I miss those days. I’ve been married for twenty years and have three kids now.”
“But you’re happy?”
“Yeah.” She smiles. “My man still treats me like a queen. Even if he drives me crazy. As much fun as messing around was back in the day, nothing beats coming home to the man you love every night.”
Carrie heads off to do her work, and I take off to check on my customers. For the rest of my shift, Roman is on my mind. And so is what Carrie said.
I’ve never been interested in settling down. I’ve been so busy with work and school that it wasn’t even a thought. It’s a big commitment, and I don’t want anything or anyone holding me back or preventing me from achieving my dreams.
But the idea of coming home to someone I love, someone who cares for me as much as I do them, sounds nice. Maybe if I get lonely enough, I’ll think about it.
The thing is... will I compare any future men to Roman? Because after last night, I don’t think any other man can compare.
Leaving the warm comfort of Roman’s arms was hard. I hated that I left while he was asleep, but I had an early morning shift and needed to get home to shower and change into my work clothes.
Tasha asked me how my night went. The only details I could give her were that the man I was with was everything I could have hoped for, that it was amazing, and I plan on seeing him again tonight. Thankfully, she didn’t ask what his name was or anything personal. I wouldn’t have been able to disclose that information anyway because, as part of the job, I signed an NDA for any and all clients. It’s for their protection. They are also required, as clients of Million Dollar Babes, to sign something similar as well. I wonder if knowing Roman in my personal life would be a conflict of interest. I could ask Madam Millie, but I don’t want to risk her asking me to drop Roman as a client. Or firing me when I refuse.
And I would forfeit this job just so I can finish out my week with him. He leaves on Sunday, and it’s only Tuesday. I have five more nights with the man of my dreams.
Going behind Tasha’s back fills my stomach with guilt. I hate keeping this from her, sneaking behind her back to see her dad.
It’s her dad. It’s not like she’s going to put a smile on her face and give me the thumbs up to bang the man.
The two of them have an amazing relationship, and I wouldn’t dream of doing anything that could come between them. So, after this week, I’ll do my best to put my crush on Roman behind me and move on.
I have to. There’s no way a man like Roman Knight would want to be with a girl like me anyways. But just for these few days, I’ll play along with the fantasy I’ve conjured up. It’s just sex between two consenting adults, nothing more. Right?
I’m home by noon and in dire need of a nap if I’m going to make it through tonight. It would be embarrassing if I’m yawning while being fucked by a god of a man.
“Hey, girl. How was work?” Tasha asks when I walk into our apartment. I toss my car keys in the little bowl we have on the counter and kick off my sneakers. She’s sitting on the couch, pausing one of her daytime shows.
“It was good. Nothing too crazy, which was very surprising. Had a few grumpy customers, but overall, not bad. I was on my feet running around trying to get a lot of things done, though. Brittany called in sick, so I had to do some office things.”
“Damn, that does sound like a good day. Must be some of that luck rubbing off on you.” She winks.
“Luck?” I ask, pulling the hair tie free from my ponytail and shaking out my hair.
“Getting the client of your dreams. Your perfect older gentlemen. A man with money. A man who knows how to... you know.” She wiggles her brows.
I’m dying on the inside because... eww. If only she knew it was her dad, she was talking about.
“I didn’t say he was the man of my dreams.” I roll my eyes.
“No, not those exact words. But I saw the way you looked when we talked about him. You had fun. And I’m glad. You deserve a good time. You work hard, and sometimes you forget to treat yourself. You’re my best friend, babe, I just want to see you happy.”
Guilt fills my stomach again, and I give her my best fake smile. “Thanks, babe.”