me at the same time. “Even if you were my man, I’d tell you to fuck right off with any attitude that acclimates ownership.”
“Calm down, Joey,” he pacifies, putting his hands up in surrender. I can’t help but roll my eyes and make a noise of exasperation while doing it. He’s incorrigible.
“So, you know my name...” I question. “What else do you remember?”
“That you suck a mean—”
“Here’s your car, Miss,” the valet interrupts, saving me from being even more embarrassed. Heat flames my skin as I grab my keys, staring at my cherry red Toyota Avalon, the last nice thing I own.
“See you Monday,” Toby says as I walk to the driver side of my car.
“Why do you keep insinuating we’ll see each other again?” I can’t help but complain.
“Because I own you now. You signed the contract. For the next five years, we’ll definitely get to know each other.”
I balk as the contents left in my stomach curdle at the thought. In all my nineteen years, I haven’t been speechless from anything. Not even when Mom disappeared or when a man took my innocence away. But now, knowing I slept with my manager, the man who I’ve signed my life over to, and the same man I should have never crossed a line with, I’m out of words.
No explanations.
Not a single excuse.
Stunned stupid.
Guess I’m my father’s daughter after all.
Proud now, Daddy?
Chapter Thirteen
Present
Toby
The way she fights me at every move should be a turn-off. The fact that she’s now an employee should also be taken into consideration, yet I don’t care. With any other woman, her attitude would probably disgust and annoy me. But her? The red-haired insult maven, I find myself getting off on it. She’s treacherous with her tongue, and there’s a battle in every word and a backhanded comment in every sentence. It’s enticing in the worst way. Lo really messed with my head. Her softness is nothing like Joey’s steeling gaze. Her spunk isn’t comparable to Joey’s fire. But one thing is certain, I find myself thinking of Joey the entire drive back to Hawthorn.
My mind travels over the night before. I was sober, alcohol free, and trying to change. With that one provoking old man joke, I knew I’d show her up. I’m anything but a lightweight. But thirteen shots of Jameson on an empty stomach? I’m lucky to be walking this morning. It’s easy to understand why Joey was hurling her guts up. She really doesn’t remember last night?
“Follow me,” I husk, unable to control the hunger coursing through me. She’s half my age, so this shouldn’t happen. Jameson disagrees as he urges me on, telling me to take and take and take.
She nods up at me. Her eyes are glassy, but she seems as sober as I am. As in, not sober at all. Should we do this? Drink and screw around? Will she regret it tomorrow? My mind can’t catch a thought for long except her bare legs and how sexy her pumps make her look.
We make it to a family bathroom, flinging the door open. She comes after me, her lips connecting with mine furiously. I can feel anger and bitterness with each nip. Pulling back as much as she’ll allow, I try to think coherently.
“We shouldn’t,” I mumble, my chest heaving while my dick tries breaking through my slacks.
“Too scared, old man?”
I groan as she pulls me onto her mouth, claiming it as hers for the night.
I stiffen in my pants at the way she looked at me, the way her lips felt warm and savage against me—demanding even. How I wish I could remember more. If we went further. We had to. We were both naked. In bed. Practically cuddling.
The joke about her being good at sucking dick was just to jab at her, but I can see it was too far. She pushes my buttons, ones I didn’t even realize I had. It’s like her entire purpose is to whip me back just as badly and not let me get away with anything. The challenge to beat her at our tongue duels is the most fun I’ve had in months. Monday can’t come soon enough.
Screw fucking random chicks. Verbal battles with Joey is a better aphrodisiac. Maybe even better than booze.
Don’t get ahead of yourself, Toby.
My head spins at the reason why I’m here. Drinking. Calling my friend sponsor, I hope he doesn’t be a dick.
“Tobes, my man,” he answers on the first ring.
“Hey,” I let out. The