Page 49 of Lie with Me
“Whatever you have to tell yourself.” She toys with me.
I grab her wrist and drag her back to bed.
“What I tell myself is I want to have chocolate cake in bed with the most beautiful blonde on earth, who also happens to be all mine.”
Tara’s eyes look remorseful for a split second before she groans and gives me a little kiss.
“Chocolate cake in bed sounds absolutely decadent, but I can’t. Philly is expecting me.”
“Philly? Your guy best friend?” I curl my lip.
She told me all about him in Hawaii.
“Mygayguy best friend. Yes, the one and the same. It’s his family’s café. I can’t bail. Besides, I need money to pay those pesky little things called bills.”
It takes all my resolve not to offer to pay every bill she has just to get her to stay in bed with me. But I won’t do that. Not yet, anyway.
“Work sucks,” I pout.
“I know.” She delivers a quick kiss on my lips before she climbs out of bed. I follow by sitting up. She’s not getting awaythat easily.
“Should I order in for dinner?” I grab her waist, pressing my wet lips against her navel.
Tara slides her hands into my hair and moans regrettably.
“I have dinner plans with some girlfriends tonight. We do it every year the night after Christmas while they’re in town.”
Bummer.
“You will just have to settle for some late night dirty sex.” She leans down and kisses me, all hot mouth and eager tongue.
“I can do late night dirty sex.” I grip her tighter as my dick wakes up underneath the sheets.
“It’s a date then.”
I hope we have a lot of dates in the future, but I keep that sentiment to myself for now, until we can talk. A serious, proper talk about her and me.
“I’ll see you later.” There’s a smile on her face, but her eyes seem so sad. What’s that all about? She picks up her purse and then stalls.
“I almost forgot.” She sticks her hand in the large, black leather bag. “I got you a present, too.” She hands me a little box wrapped in shiny blue paper. “A day late, but it’s the thought that counts, right?”
“Right.” I take the present and tear the paper off revealing a wooden box with my initials, CJC, engraved on top.
“For your pocket watch,” Tara explains. “To keep it in a safe place. Maybe you won’t forget it so much.”
I run my thumb over the silver plate with my initials, same as my grandfather.
“I love it. It’s perfect.” I try not to sound like a complete fucking sap, but it’s a pretty thoughtful present.
“Good.” Tara gives me one more long, lingering kiss. I really don’t want her to go.
“I’ll see you late night,” she promises before she’s gone.
I MEANDER AROUND MY HOTELroom all day trying to figure out what to do now.
Our feelings have come bursting out, and there’s no stuffing them back into Pandora’s box. Not that I’d want to. But I do have to come up with a game plan. Everything is different now, and I need to strategize. My stay in New York is going to be considerably extended. Leaving Tara is not even an option, which means I’m going to need new accommodations. I can’t live in a hotel forever, especially one costing me a lung.
I fire up my laptop and search real estate agents. Maybe I can find an apartment that leases month to month. I would text Richard to see if he could recommend one, but I think that would be extremely obvious. I don’t think we’re ready to go public with our relationship just yet. Soon, but I’d like to keep Tara all to myself for just a little while longer. I’m sure that once the news gets out, we’re going to have to do some serious damage control. I suddenly regret not packing a bulletproof vest.
