Page 76 of House of Scarlett
“What will you do if that happens again?” Dr.Grand asks, balancing her stylus between her finger and thumb.
“It won’t.”
“But can you be sure?” she asks with a tilt of her head. “People don’t often change overnight, Scarlett. It’s a long, slow process that involves a lot of work on oneself.”
I think of how Gabriel told me I didn’t have to believe his words because he was going to show me. And he has. Every single day since I was in the hospital, he’s been there for me, and I don’t think it has a damn thing to do with the fact that he wants more sex. I think he just wants me.
“I wouldn’t be with him if I wasn’t sure.”
“I hope you’re right, but please be careful. You’ve been through a lot lately, and this is a big deal.”
We finish our session, and as I’m walking to the door with Dr.Grand on my heels, I pause and look over my shoulder at her.
“How do you know if a relationship is working?”
Her face softens. “I think it’s different for everyone, but in general, I’d look for trust, respect, kindness, mutual attraction, and a healthy dose of humor.”
I love her list, because it’s all the things I’ve experienced with Gabriel and no one else.
“Thank you, Dr.Grand. I’ll see you again.”
“Good luck, Scarlett.”
* * *
My session with the sex therapist gives me plenty to think about but doesn’t reduce my excitement by even a fraction of a degree. It’s happening today, no doubt about it, and I can’t freaking wait.
It’s a revelation to be walking down the streets of New York, thinking about the deliciously hot sex I’m going to be having tonight. I try to school my expression just before I make it to the swanky bistro that Monroe and Harlow love to meet at for lunch.
I spot them at a table in the gated area on the sidewalk.
“Damn, who is that hottie?” Monroe catcalls and then whistles at me. “I wouldn’t kick her out of my bed for eating crackers.”
Harlow laughs and shakes her head. “You’re a nut job.”
“I’m starving,” I say, slipping through the small gate built into the hip-height fence to take the third seat at the round table.
“Starving for a giant piece of man meat, most likely,” Monroe adds with a wink. “You’ve got the look.”
Clearly, I failed at hiding my thoughts.I bounce my gaze between my two friends, trying to appear innocent. “What look?”
“TheI’m thinking about getting laid tonightlook,” Harlow says before taking a sip from her water. “And I agree. You do have it. Are you feeling better? Up to taking arideon the wild side again?”
I think of the last time Gabriel and I had sex, and how explosive and amazing it was. We’re not going for a second spin on his desk at the club tonight, but it’ll be just as hot in my bed. Then I remember Chadwick scoffing at my bedroom.
“You expect me to be able to get hard for you in the middle of all those ruffles and clutter? Not happening, Scarlett. You can come to my place.”
I shove down the ugly voice because it’s the last thing I want to hear.
“What’s wrong?” This comes from Harlow.
“Chadwick said he couldn’t get hard in my bedroom,” I say, my gaze fixed firmly on the snowy white tablecloth.
“Oh, for Christ’s sake,” Monroe says, nearly knocking over her water glass with her flying hand. “That pissant probably couldn’t get hard anywhere. No amount of shabby chic decor is going to stop Gabriel Legend from pounding you into your pillowtop tonight. That man would probably fuck you in the middle of that doll store in Midtown—if the damn thing were ever empty of children and employees. Not even all those tiny doll eyes could stop him from wanting you so fucking bad that he’s ready to blow his load at the first sight of skin.”
I look up at her face and smile. “Despite thatbeyondcreepy example, I hear what you’re saying. I’m putting every single thing that ever had to do with a Chadwick sex hang-up out of my head.”
“Oh, good,” Harlow whispers. “But don’t look now, because he’s walking down the street with a tart on his arm.”
