Charity Case - The Complete Series - Piper Rayne Page 0,149

the plant to the corner of my desk, placing the instructions nearby to read once I get settled.

I pull out my laptop and planner and position everything the way I like it on my desk.

“That’s it? That’s all you’re giving me?” Hannah asks. “Memories mean you talked about the past.”

“Well, we cleared up a little, yes.”

“Did you sleep with him?” No hesitation. Point blank. Again, let me be reincarnated into Hannah Crowley in my next life.

“No, but I really wanted to.” I lean back in my chair, remembering his chest pressed to mine and how it made me weak in the knees.

“Why didn’t you?”

Victoria’s heels click at rapid pace down the hall. “I can’t believe you’re leaving me out of the loop.” She heaves a breath. “It was just Jagger.”

Hannah laughs.

Victoria rolls her eyes.

“I need to meet this guy at some point,” I say, intrigued by her ex-boss in L.A.

“Trust me—” Victoria puts up her hand.

“You don’t,” Hannah finishes.

“What did I miss?” Vic asks.

Hannah slides over and Victoria sits in her chair. I guess RISE is taking a time out to hear about my date.

“She didn’t sleep with him,” Hannah says like one of those reporters on TMZ.

“Why?” Vic’s all wide eyes. “If it’s a body insecurity thing, you’re insane. Talk to me after your stomach has been stretched out to here.” She holds her hands a foot out in front of her.

Internally, I cringe but ignore her comment.

Truth is I was self-conscious for a little bit, but then I realized if he doesn’t like me with my clothes off then that’s his problem.

“No. I just…I wanted to. So badly, but we went on this walk with his dog and—”

“He has a dog?” Victoria’s eyes grow soft again. “Jade’s been begging me for one.” She looks over at Hannah.

“You should take Lucy. We’re not jiving at the moment.”

Hannah’s dog Lucy is a German Shepherd puppy who’s yet to figure out house breaking or the fact that a La Perla bra is not a play thing. I’d give my right tit for a La Perla bra. Then again, I wouldn’t have a tit to fit into it if I did that. Okay, focus, Chels.

“You will. She’s a puppy. Give her some time,” Victoria says.

“My bank account is about to cut her off.”

We laugh because none of us is quite sure why Hannah got a dog, let alone a big guard dog.

“Back to you not having sex.” Hannah’s back straightens and they both sit at attention like two teacher’s pets.

“I wanted to see what it was like to be around him without the sexual aspect of our relationship. We were either fucking like bunnies or not speaking at all when we were married. I was enjoying this in between we’ve found, and you know how sex can screw everything up.”

Hannah nods.

“It didn’t with Reed and I,” Victoria says.

“I hate to break this to you, but Reed is a great guy. He wouldn’t have let it. Dean runs hot. Sex has never been a problem with us. The daily living, the casual day to day encounters and communication is where we don’t thrive.”

“Are you suggesting that my sex life is boring?” She crosses her arms over her chest.

“Not at all. I’m sure Reed rocks your world, but you have to admit he’s probably ready to cuddle before you are.”

She uncrosses her arms and her silence says I’m right.

“There’s nothing wrong with Reed. He’s perfect.” Hannah places her hand on Victoria’s.

“Okay, because I drew blood the other night I’ll have you know.” Victoria nods her head about a million times per second as though neither of us believe her.

Reed’s so fucking hot there’s no way the guy doesn’t know how to work a woman’s body. The nice factor of him says he’s probably perfected his moves and knows what Vic wants before she does.

“Dean’s just a different species than Reed, that’s all I’m saying.”

“I think it’s good,” Hannah says. “Keep those legs closed until you’re ready to give up the milk.”

We all laugh because the whole analogy is such bullshit. If I give him a taste of my milk and he doesn’t want to buy the cow than fuck him, I don’t want the asshole farmer.

“I’m losing my will, but I was proud to hang on strong that night,” I say.

They rise from their chairs. The workday needs to begin at some point.

“We’ll let you go call and thank him,” Victoria says, ever the romantic.

“I think I might run over to his office at