Page 30 of Good Girls Like it Dirty
Thank God for valet service. “Well, that was interesting,” he said. “I’m sorry she’s such a bitch.”
Monique tossed her hair to the side. “She can’t help it.”
He shook his head. “She should.”
“She wasn’t the first person to treat me like crap, and probably won’t be the last.”
“Why? I mean, are all of Ashley and Paula’s friends so entitled?” he asked, suddenly feeling a twinge of shame. Had he been acting like a prick too? He never had things handed to him. Maybe he hadn’t struggled financially as a child like Monique, but after losing his father as a teenager and Zachary as an adult, he had to step up to the plate.
“And you’re not?” she said, but the playfulness in her voice didn’t hide a twinge of bitterness.
“Sir?” asked the concierge.
Zaine showed him his keycard. The concierge smiled and went to call the valet to get his car. During the drive to the beach, he didn’t say much, hiding behind his sunglasses while she admired the view.
He found it hard to swallow. Why did the joke matter so much? I don’t want her to see me in that light. Hell, he didn’t want to be that guy. When he parked near the remote beach he’d visited once a long time ago, the nagging thoughts still haunted him.
“This is beautiful,” she said, taking off her flip-flops and burying her toes in the sand.
He removed his sunglasses, wanting to look deep in her eyes, and lifted her chin, to give her no other option but to tell the truth. “Do you see me the same way you see Paula and her friends?”
She looked away, the pulse in her neck throbbing. “I didn’t say that.”
“You don’t have to. You called me entitled,” he said, absurdly bothered by her opinion of him.
“Well, am I so off the mark, Zaine?”
Hell, she wasn’t. He’d been an entitled bastard, one who had proposed she sleep with him in exchange for money. Who was he kidding? “No.” Embarrassment crept under his skin.
She dropped her flip-flops on the sand and perched her hands at her waist. “It’s okay. You know the valet who helped you?”
“Yes.”
“Next time, instead of just giving him a huge tip, look into his eyes. Learn his name.”
Was she serious? He’d never see that employee again, so why establish a connection with him? Then, reality of his own situation dawned on him, and an invisible weight fell on his shoulders. Why did he care so much about her opinion of him, about everything Monique thought and did when she’d be leaving too? His heart jumped in his chest. Shit. Deep down, he knew the answer, but didn’t dare admit to it. Not yet.
Not until he found a solution.
“Zaine?” she called, pulling him from his thoughts.
“You’re really suggesting I have a moment with the valet guy? Is that one of your fantasies?” he said lightly, managing to conceal the apprehension that was eating at him.
She chuckled, a jovial sound that filled his chest with joy. “No, silly.”
He pulled her closer and kissed her cheek. “Was I ever an ass to you when you worked for me?”
She chewed her lower lip. “No, you were respectful. Just…reserved, I guess. Now that I’m getting to know the real you, a lot has changed.”
“The real me, huh?”
“Well, whatever you’ll show me. For instance, it was hot when you stood up for me in front of your uptight friends.”
“I wouldn’t call them friends. I’ll be happy if I never see Paula and Doug again. Poor bastard, he’s got no balls. Hard to be real friends with someone like that,” he said, and meant it. Since Doug was also an architect, they’d still see each other at industry luncheons and coveted parties, but he wouldn’t call him or share anything with him again. “Besides, Doug’s in town because he also wants the same account I’m vying for. He’s here to kiss Lara’s ass.”
She stiffened in his hold, but he didn’t let her go. “Oh. And you knew that already?”
He looked her square in the eye. Damn it. He supposed he should have mentioned this to her, but he hadn’t wanted to worry her. “Ashley sold him on it. She’s working with him.”
