Chapter 191: Chapter Twenty-Nine

Jaymeson

I'd nearly had a stroke when I saw her original outfit. What the hell was she thinking? She might as well have been naked; her boobs had practically begged to be touched.

Damn, I'd even wanted to reach through that freaking phone and caress every part of her tan skin.

I'd almost lost it.

But at least she asked my opinion, or that of Jamie Hudson. The American accent wasn't hard to do — I'd been acting since I was three.

I knew I needed to tell her sooner rather than later.

Then again, when I left, she would probably hate me. I needed that line of communication with her.

It was like my drug.

For the next few hours I kept myself busy answering e-mails. It seemed Peter's assistants had found some great contractors to work on the house.

I e-mailed every last one of them and offered them double to get it done faster.

They were going to be at the house at seven a.m.

Satisfied that I'd at least helped as much as I could, I went to grab a beer from the fridge and glanced at the clock.

Midnight? What the hell were they doing? That was a five-hour date! Unfortunately, my mind started conjuring up all the different things they could accomplish in five hours.

By the time my damn brain was finished, I had Pris pregnant and hooked on meth.

Shit.

I must have fallen asleep on the couch because later when I looked at the clock it was three a.m.

Like a complete idiot, I messaged her on Facebook.

Me

You back from your date yet?

Priscilla S

Yeah, I got back a while ago.

Me

A while?

Yes, I wanted the exact time, because clearly I liked torturing myself with images of them together.

Priscilla S

One.

Me

Whoa, you had a bonfire that long?

Priscilla S

No, we stayed at the bonfire for about two hours then went back to his place.

Shaking with rage, I struggled to type a response.

Me

To do what? Make cookies?

Priscilla S

No, we watched a movie.

Me

And when you say watch you mean… had sex?

Holy crap! Why the hell was she hesitating? She either did or didn't!

Priscilla S

You have an active imagination. No, no sex, just movie watching, and a bit of kissing.

I sighed and nearly collapsed out of my chair.

Me

Define a bit.

Priscilla S

Jamie! It's late! I'm tired and starving. I was too upset to eat dinner.

Me

Why were you upset?

Priscilla S

I don't want to talk about it.

Me

Jaymeson?

Priscilla S

He kissed me.

Me

Wait, I thought you were dating this other guy?

Priscilla S

It was an accident. Jaymeson seems to enjoy that.

I scratched my chin and frowned at the screen. Well, when she put it that way I sounded like an asshole.

Me

I'm sorry.

Surely the messages were taking a while to deliver, right? I mean, that's why she was answering so slow! I fought the urge to bang my head against the wall as I waited.

Priscilla S

It's okay. It's probably for the best. I mean, come on. He's, Jaymeson… I'm just me. I'm kind of like the shiny new toy he can't get to work just right so he keeps playing with it.

Sooner or later he'd get bored, and sooner or later I'd get put back in the toy box, never to be touched again. It's better this way.

I swore violently, almost throwing my phone against the wall. That's what she thought of herself? A freaking toy? A distraction? Hell, no!

Me

I doubt he feels that way. He's probably just protecting you.

Priscilla S

Funny, because I don't remember asking for protection.

Me

You're young…

Priscilla S

Not you too.

Panicking, I tried to make it better.

Me

Hey, guys stick together! But you're my friend — I'm on your side.

Priscilla S

?

Me

He's a jackass.

Priscilla S

☺ Thanks for your help today btw.

Me

Anytime you want me to dress or undress you — just name the place.

Priscilla S

Very funny.

Me

I'm a funny guy.

I was grinning at my phone like a complete lunatic. Gripping it in my hand so hard that I'm surprised it didn't crush under the pressure.

Me

Get some sleep, love.

Priscilla S

“K. Night.

Me

Night.

I chewed my lower lip in thought. It was the first night Pris and I hadn't actually spent the evening together. Damn, I needed a key to that place.

Brilliance struck.

I quickly dialed Demetri's number.

He didn't answer.

I dialed again.

Finally, he answered and swore into the phone. “I swear I'm crushing your balls with a shovel. What the hell, Jay?”

“Where's your spare key?”

“What?”

“For your condo?”

“Why do you need a spare key? Just knock, you ass.”

“I think I smell smoke,” I lied.

“What!” He shrieked. “Under the pig, it's under the pig.”

“Thanks.” I hung up and ran outside then up the stairs to the condo. Pig, pig, pig. I searched high and low then saw next to one of the planters an ugly demon pig that looked somewhat possessed.

It was missing an eye.

Good thinking, Demetri, nobody would think a rock star lived here.

I picked up the dirty ceramic pig. The key shone underneath.

“Brilliant.” I quickly unlocked the door and put the key back under the pig, patting its head and muttering a thanks like an inanimate object had actually helped me break into my friend's house.

Great, so I'd lied and forced entry, just add it to my list of laws I was already breaking.

I gently pushed the door shut and froze. What the hell was I doing? I couldn't just crawl into bed with her — she'd think I was an intruder. And if she was sleeping I didn't want to wake her up!

With a groan, I turned to leave, then saw a light flicker on.

Curious, I followed the light into the bedroom.

Another light turned on.

And then Priscilla walked out of the bathroom.

In nothing but the shortest towel I'd ever had the pleasure of seeing on another human being.

“Aghhhh!” She screamed. Her towel dropped.

My jaw followed.

“Get out!” She wailed, throwing a pillow at my face.

Yeah, I let that bastard hit me. It was worth it. I took in my fill then slowly, with a cocky grin, turned my head.

“What are you doing?” I heard foot stomping.

“Making sure you made it home safe,” I said smoothly. “Alone.”

“You're not my babysitter!” Pris huffed, opening one of the dresser drawers and rummaging through it.

“I'd choose the lace ones, more feminine,” I said in a helpful voice.

Eyes narrowing, she snatched the black lace, with a matching bra. My mouth went completely dry because now I could actually imagine her naked body in that getup.

Painful. My mind was too creative by half.

Wet hair pulled back into a ponytail, Pris marched back into the bedroom wearing short shorts and a tank top and crossed her arms. “You can leave now.”

“Actually…” Damn, she smelled good. “I can't.”

“Why?” Her mouth trembled. “You're not exactly my favorite person right now.”

“I know.” I sighed. “But I'm lonely.”

“So you thought to break in? That's your solution?” Her eyes were wild. I loved how they seemed to swallow me whole as they got larger and larger with frustration.

“I'm British?” I offered.

She closed her eyes. “I can't win.”

“Good that you know that. I mean, why try when you know you're going to lose? Can I have the left side, tonight?”

She hung her head and pressed her fingertips to her temples. “Sure, just don't suffocate me like last time. I woke up with your pillow pressed against my face.”

“Would you rather it be something else?”

“I won't hesitate to lock you in the bathroom and play that scary movie by the door, Jaymeson.”

“No suffocating, left side, got it.” I quickly pulled off my shirt and pants, leaving only my black boxers on, and climbed into bed.

Pris yawned and turned off the lights, then climbed in next to me.

“You're going to have to find another bed partner, Jaymeson.”

“Why?”

“Because I'm dating Smith and I doubt he'd like the fact that you and I sleep in the same bed every night.”

“He doesn't have to know.” My voice taking a defensive edge. “It doesn't involve him.”

“But it does.” Pris's voice caught. “It does now. I want to make things work. I have to make things work.”

A hint of desperation plagued her voice. Nodding, I kissed her head and whispered against her hair, “I'm not ready to let you go yet.”

“Well, that makes two of us,” she replied. “Now, be a good friend and try not to snore.”

“Pris?”

“Hmm?”

“Can I hold you?”

The three beats of silence nearly killed me.

“Yeah.”

I wrapped my arms around her body and sighed with contentment. This was it. I'd gone and done it. Because I'd rather hold her in my arms all night than have sex with anyone else.

Ever.

Which meant only one thing.

I was going to murder Alec and Demetri — because they'd been right. I wasn't falling.

No.

I'd already fallen.