we ever be.”
“She shot you down, huh?” I look around the office. I’m guessing it’s his. It’s nice. Plain but functional. It could use some color, but I always think that.
“I could have made her my fake girlfriend. We could have double dated tonight.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I drop down in one of the oversized chairs in front of the giant glass desk.
“She’s for my partner. Whenever he finally makes a move.” Abel goes over to his desk, pulling out a pen and notepad before taking the other oversized chair. Well, for him it’s more of a normal sized chair. He flips the pad open. “Now. Name your price.” Did that sound dirty or was it just me? Now I’m the one who needs to get my mind out of the gutter.
5
Abel
“I was kidding about the amount.” Pepper’s hand trembles as she hovers over the check with its many zeros. “But this is a joke, right? It’s not a real negotiable check.”
“The great thing about checks is that they’re valid on whatever. I could write a check on your underwear and as long as it has my account and the bank’s routing number, you could cash it.” I flash her a smile and shove the pointy end of the pizza in my mouth.
“Really?” Then she wrinkles her nose. “I’m not dumb. I went to school for design, not fashion.”
“Never thought you were, honey.” I nudge the box to her side of the table. “Eat up. After we’re done here, I’ll drive you to your new digs.”
Pepper gives one last longing glance at the check before folding it neatly in half and then half again. “I won’t actually need you to put me up since I have this. I can rent a far better apartment once this is deposited.” She waves the small piece of paper in the air.
I wipe my thumb down the side of my mouth and think about what an idiot I am. I gave a poor girl money so now she can flee. It’s like opening the cage and blowing wind under a bird’s wings. And it’s not that I want to clip her wings. Hell, I want her to fly high, but I also want her to come home every night to my place, also known as her new digs.
I clear my throat. “Actually, it was a joke.” I snatch the paper out of her hands and tuck it into my breast pocket. “It’s the right amount, but I can’t give it to you until you actually render the services. Beck would have my balls. But don’t worry, once the job is done you’ll get this entire amount.” I pat my chest. “I’ll keep it safe until the project is done.”
A pouty frown turns the corner of her mouth down. “Why’d you write me a check in the first place if you never meant for me to keep it and don’t call me honey. We’re not dating. You’re my client.”
“Why not both and you’ll get the check in full when the job is done.” I finish off my pizza and guzzle down the root beer. Pepper nibbles at the pizza, but the loss of money has nuked her appetite. As we leave, guilt is settling in at the base of my neck. I don’t like it but she’s already talking about flying away, which I’ll like even less. The good thing is that I’m going to treat her so well she won’t need to dip into her bank account for a thing. It’s my duty as her man to keep her happy, and part of that is making sure she’s got everything she wants before she even gives voice to it. Clothes, purses, shoes, makeup, books, movies, computer gadgets. If she wants it, I’ll be providing it. It’s not just a matter of making her financial worries go away, it’s the satisfaction I’m going to get seeing her wearing nothing but the things I bought her. That silky bra cupping her bountiful tits. I bought that. The lace underwear cupping her pussy? I bought that too. The shoes on her feet, the bag on her shoulder, the lipstick staining her lips. It came from my wallet. I run my tongue on the inside of my lower lip. Yeah. It’s my stamp of ownership.
“Where is it that we are all getting put up?” Pepper asks as we speed north up highway 92 toward my little plot of land outside of the city.
“We?”
“There are twenty-two