Page 230 of Filthy Beautiful
I softened against him. “Okay,” I murmured against his lips. “I can be patient, I promise. I just know how much you like me in a white dress…”
He groaned.
“Ooh—white lingerie… Do you like those garter things…?”
“Let’s go home,” he growled.
I grinned again.
He took my hand and we kept walking.
“So, I’ll see you back here, one year from today?” I pressed.
He cocked an eyebrow at me. “And if not?”
“I go on a sex strike. Obviously.”
He laughed. “You wouldn’t last a day.”
“What!? I’d last longer than you would.”
“Maybe.”
“Wait,” I said. “Don’t propose. Let’s do the sex strike thing, and see who caves first. Then after that… you can propose.”
“You’re ridiculous,” he said.
“You love it.”
He just smiled at me. And I could see the love in his eyes.
“You know what, Courteney?” he said. “I really do.”
Then he slung his arm around me. As we reached the end of the bridge, he flagged down a cab for us. He took me home.
And he didn’t let me go.
Epilogue
Summer
The lights went down, the screams of the crowd went up, and I dropped “This Summer’s Gonna Hurt Like a Motherfucker” at top volume.
It was my sign-off song at most DJ Summer shows these days.
As the crowd danced and the house DJ prepared to take over, one of the guys at the side of the stage shone a light at the floor in the dark for me, so I could find the stairs, and I slipped offstage—heading down into the VIP area off to the side, where my guests were enjoying the show.
I gave out sweaty hugs as people swarmed me. Someone passed me a drink; Ashley. I hugged him and took a swig. On second thought, I pounded it back. It was a crantini and it was incredibly refreshing.
I leaned into his ear. “Thanks, hon. I needed that.” I kissed him on the cheek and passed him back the empty glass with a grin, like he was the serving staff. Sure, Ash was a rock star, but tonight, he was a guest atmyshow.
Then I gave his girl, Danica, a hug.
“What a great show!” she told me.
“Thanks, sweetie.” I kissed her on the cheek.
Then I worked my way through the bodies toward Elle, escorted by a couple of giant bouncers. She was standing on the far side of the VIP area, her platinum-blonde hair making her easy to spot in the dense crowd.
