Page 107 of Stroked by (Stroked)
Christ, I have it bad for this woman.
Chapter Twenty-Four
**PAISLEY**
“Can you stop with those dishes and get your ass out here?” Reese calls from the pool area.
The last week has been a whirlwind of sleeping over at Reese’s primarily to avoid Jonathan at all costs, helping production prepare for Rio, and keeping Bellini in line.
After the whole Lauren incident, Jasper had a conversation with me about Bellini’s actions. He asked me to be on top of everything she was doing and to report back. He wasn’t thrilled at all with the way she treated Lauren and me. He was just waiting for Lauren to file some kind of lawsuit but I knew Lauren wouldn’t. She is pretty chill. We grabbed coffee the other day, and she told me all about Ruby, Bellini’s new seamstress for her doggy wear. According to Eva, she is pretty sure something is going on between Ruby and Bodi, but she can’t be quite positive since Bodi is so closed off.
I met Ruby yesterday and all I have to say is that I’m absolutely in love with her. She is a breath of fresh air. Extremely quirky, positive, and loves crafts. She actually works down at the Boys and Girls Club by holding art classes with the kids. That’s where she and Bodi met.
I didn’t dig too deep into her relationship with Bodi because I just met her, but I plan on finding out more about what’s been going on. I’m nosey, and I’m proud of it.
It’s nice to add to my friends list. I’ve always had Jonathan and that’s pretty much it, so it’s been nice to meet some new people, some people I know I can trust. I’m slowly becoming very close to Melony. She covers for me when I’m on the phone with Reese, and she’s always calming my racing heart when I feel I can’t handle the pressure anymore. Plus, she’s been a great outlet to talk to when it comes to Jonathan. I don’t talk to Reese about it much because I don’t want to worry him. He has so much on his plate already, the last thing I need is for him to worry about Jonathan.
But it’s an issue in my life.
This is the longest I’ve gone without talking to him. At first, I thought we would get over what we said to each other. I gave it a few mornings but when he stopped walking around naked, I knew there was something seriously wrong. I tried talking to him about it and all he asked was if I was still with Reese. I told him yes and then he walked away, end of discussion.
Both Melony and Reese mentioned Jonathan having feelings for me, but I know that’s not the truth, because if it were, he would have been upset over the fake boyfriend I pretended to have when Jonathan saw Reese’s red sweatshirt on the floor of my bedroom. It’s hard to understand our relationship. I truly think Jonathan was hurt that I defended Reese over him, given our history. But honestly, Jonathan didn’t really give me a choice because of the nasty things he said about me. Reese stood up for me and wouldn’t let Jonathan drag me through the mud, how can I not take his side?
Even though Jonathan did say things borderline unforgivabe, I still feel sad it got to that point. It’s my fault he became so mad by doing exactly what he told me not to do. I can understand his frustration and deep down, I really feel terrible for lying to him, and I know it’s been affecting me. Reese has noticed, he will ask me occasionally how I’m doing, if I’m okay, and every time I tell him I’m fine, even though a little piece of me is mourning the loss of Jonathan. It’s hard to see someone every day of your life and then just stop cold turkey. I knew he was going to be mad, but I didn’t think he would be this mad.
“Babes, I’m serious. This is my last night, come sit with me.” Reese’s voice rings impatience so I turn off the sink water, dry my hands off, and then join him out back.
Surrounding the pool area, there are little lights in the planters, casting a light glow in the dark night. Reese is sitting in a lounge chair that overlooks the ocean. It’s our favorite way to spend our nights before we go to bed, cuddled together and listening to the ocean waves, tonight is no exception.
“Hey, sorry about that. I just wanted to make sure everything was clean for you.”
“I could have someone else do that,” he replies, pulling me down on his lap. I snuggle close to his chest and rest my head on his shoulder while he wraps one arm around my back and rests the other on my thigh. “So much better.” He kisses the top of my head, and I melt into his touch.
“You’re all packed, and I placed your passport in your backpack.”
“Paisley,” he stops me. “I don’t want to talk about work shit.”
“Sorry.” I chuckle. “What do you want to talk about?”
“Let’s play a little game of truth or dare.”
Knowing exactly where this is going, I say, “Let me guess, your dare is going to be have sex with me?”
His chest vibrates with laughter under me; it’s like music to my ears, deep and rugged, everything about it is sexy.
“Well, not right off the bat, but that’s my end goal, always with you, baby.” He tickles my side. “Come on, have a little fun with me.”
Sitting up and straddling his lap, I place my hands on his chest and say, “Okay, I’m in.”
Staring down at him, his eyes flame with desire from my position, my pussy placed right over his growing erection. Just to play, I grind my hips on him a little, causing a hiss of pleasure from him.
“Don’t start something you can’t finish, Paisley.” His voice heeds warning.
Ignoring the erection pressing up against me, I say, “You go first.”
Adjusting his body, he grips my hips and stares up at me, his hazel eyes shining in the moonlight and the scruff of his beard enticing me. I love the way it feels against my skin, scraping, igniting my nerves with a sensual pleasure.
A grin spreads across his handsome face as he asks, “Truth or dare?”
