James shrugs and then raises his hands in a surrendering motion, making a move for the kitchen. Relief flows through me.
Kent, now dressed in only a pair of gray sweats, stares at me. “Do you need help getting your things?”
I can barely meet his eyes after seeing him in action this morning. “I do. Thank you.”
“When do you want to leave?”
Did we really dance so close? I’ll need to get tested first opportunity I get.
“After you eat. And could you pick up your used condom? It’s winking at me.”
His mouth thins. “Wing-women don’t get bothered by used condoms. You must maintain discussed persona at all times or there are plenty of other rooms out there.”
“Please pick it up, Kent.” I hold his dark gaze steadily, refusing to picture his face as he pushed into her. He looked so different then. Carnal, more like an animal and less like a man. His hair had that messy look and I know she ran her fingers through it. Sweat had dotted his muscular back and her hands had gripped his arms as he took her. He might have been the sexiest man I had ever seen in that moment. More beast and less beauty, his muscles contracting and his hips moving. There was something about the way he thrust into her that suggested he wasn’t trying to find pleasure but administering a punishment.
Who was Kent punishing? And why couldn’t I get his naked body out of my head?
He rolls his eyes and marches over to the used, light pink pile of wet rubber. After grabbing the condom wrapper he uses it as a shield between his fingers and the diseases germinating on the outside. He marches it into the bathroom and a second later I hear the water turn on as he undoubtedly washes his hands.
“Happy?” he growls when he comes back out.
“I’d be happier if you had sex with them in your bedroom.”
“Well it’s not fucking happening!” he explodes. “You know what? This isn’t working out. You should find some other place to live. You have too much of an opinion about my life. You don’t know me. One dance together doesn’t give you the right to tell me how to live.”
“Kent…” I bite my lip, wounded, as my mortified blush creeps over my entire body. Now I can’t look at him for a different reason. He’s right. It’s my smart mouth again. This time it got me into trouble. “I’m sorry. You’re right—”
“No. I’ll give you a couple of days to find a place but I want you out of here.” His handsome face is set in stone. “Women,” he mumbles harshly, “you’re all the same. All the fucking same.”
All because I told him to have sex in his bedroom like a normal person? What was it about women and his bed? My stomach drops as I think about leaving. Other than being a wing-woman, this is a great place. I like James and having my own space. I don’t want to leave.
I set my soda down and get up, moving to stand in front of him. His black eyes are narrowed and mean. I touch his arm, right where Auburn Hair touched, and look him in the eye. “I don’t want to leave. I like it here. I promise to keep my mouth shut from here on out and be your wing-woman. I really need this place. I feel safe here and the money is good.”
“I’m going to do what I want with any girl I want,” he warns me. “You’re my sidekick. That’s it. Those are the rules. My life is none of your business.”
“None,” I agree.
“Let’s go get your stuff.”
I sag in relief and then reach up to wrap my arms around his shoulders. His hands come around me hesitantly to grip my waist. “I had fun dancing last night,” I whisper in his ear. I don’t know why I do it. I start swaying against him and he chuckles in my ear.
“You’re a good dancer. You know how to use these.” His hands slide to grip my hips, moving in tune to my swaying. “How did you do that?” he wonders. “I never wanted to see you again a second ago. Now I’m glad you’re staying.”
I shrug against his chest and pull back to look into his eyes. “Because of this.” I give him my hopeful face.
He grins down at me, his smile so close it kind of sucks the breath out of me. “Do