As I knew she would, she picked up on the first ring. “Hello there, Joe. How are you, young man?”
“I’m great. I see that you’re my last official date at Perfect Ten. I couldn’t be more honored, Mrs. Covington.” She tittered on the other end.
“I don’t even know what I want to do. I just didn’t want you to have to go out with anymore of those vultures, dear.” Could I love this woman more?
“Pulled your trump card, did you?” I knew she could hear the affection in my voice, because it was real.
“Something like that. How about you bring that sweet gal of yours over for dinner here on Saturday night at seven o’clock? And don’t forget. I dress for dinner. We’ll make it an event. Black tie.”
My heart melted for this woman. I know I was supposed to be a womanizer sex addict, and I had been, but the teachings of my mother were still ingrained in me, and there was nothing that I needed to do more than respect my elders. “That sounds perfect, Mrs. Covington. I’ll bring a bottle of your favorite white.”
“That’s sweet, dear, but we’re having a pasta dinner, bring red.”
As if I could deny her anything. “Red it is. We’ll see you at six forty-five on Saturday.”
“Oh, you sweet thing. You really do know me. Goodbye, Joe.”
CHAPTER 26
FAITH
“JOE’S ONLY GOT one more date left. You can’t imagine how happy that makes me.” My coffee sat steaming on my desk waiting for the dollop of cinnamon vanilla creamer I always added to sweeten it up. Technically, I wasn’t on the clock yet, so I dared to make a personal call before starting my work for the day.
“That’s so great, Faith. It’s about time you found the right guy. Is it too early to say I told you so?” I knew Gracie would want the credit for my new budding relationship.
“You might want to hold that thought. While I’m enjoying having Joe around, we still don’t really know each other. We haven’t done a whole lot of talking.”
“Fucking like bunnies, huh? Well, that’s okay, too. Actually, it’s better than okay. I need to get me some of that.” Gracie was more into love ‘em and leave ‘em than she was into long-term relationships.
“Done with Jake already? That was kind of quick, wasn’t it?” Her guys usually lasted more than a couple of months, at least.
“He couldn’t get the job done, you know? And if I’m only looking for, let’s call it temporary companionship and if he can’t get the job done, what good is he to me?”
“You should have been a man, Gracie, you know that? You get on me all the time about men, but yet you won’t commit to anything.”
“Wait a minute, Faith. There’s a big difference between you and me. You want a relationship. I don’t. I want to get a good lay in now and then, and I do. I never sit around making excuses for why I don’t have a man, now do I?”
Damn. She had a point. “Fine. But someday, the love bug is going to bite you right on the tush and you’re going to fall hard. Then you’ll know what it feels like to doubt everything about yourself.”
“Are you saying you’ve fallen for the mighty Joe Starling already?”
“No! Oh, no. I don’t think that’s what I meant.” Shonda took that most inopportune moment to pop into my office, excitement making her bounce up and down.
“Faith!”
“Gracie, I have to go. Shonda looks like she’s going to pee her pants.” I hung up and gave Shonda my undivided attention.
“Good morning, Shonda. What’s up?”
“Holy shit, girlfriend! There’s someone here to see you, and he is hot. I’m talking over the freaking top and get me a fire extinguisher hot!”
Must be my day for hotties. Woke up with one and now I get to see another? Happy Thursday to me. “Who is he?”
“I don’t know. He just said to tell you Joe was here to see you and asked if he could have just one minute of your time. And honey? If you don’t have that minute, I’ll give him at least sixty of mine. Yum. Smoking hot!” With that last exclamation, she walked out of my office, leaving me to go greet my visitor, which could be only one person.
I wound my way through cubicles to the front lobby. There in all his masculine beauty stood my very own eye candy. His face lit up when he saw me walking toward him, making my heart do a funny flip-flop. I was so falling.
“Hi, sweetheart.” He leaned down and gave me a chaste kiss on the cheek, which I had to admit left me wanting more. “I just wanted to drop this off for you. I was on my way home, and I remembered that we never got to the chocolate I promised you last night.” He handed me a bag that had a heavenly scent coming from it.
I opened the white bag, spying a huge chocolate, chocolate chip muffin inside, drizzled with chocolate icing. “Joe! I can’t eat this. It’ll go straight to my hips.”
He grabbed my hips and bit his bottom lip. “I fucking love your hips,” he whispered. “Eat it and think about what else we could do with chocolate.” Giving me one more altogether too quick kiss, he pushed me away, accusing me of man-handling him. “Come on, Faith. We’re in a place of business here.”
“Yeah, Faith. Stop attacking our… new client?”
Shonda was back, though she probably never really left in the first place. No doubt she was trying to get the scoop on the hottie. “Shonda, this is Joe. Joe, meet Shonda—the office gossip.”
I swear, Shonda actually giggled when Joe bowed over her offered hand. Shonda never giggled. She was the type who laughed from deep in her gut, but as soon as Joe touched her hand, she giggled like a school girl.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Joe. And how do you know our Faith?”
“He’s my …” What was he? Boyfriend seemed so high-schoolish, friend didn’t quite fit, and I’m sure fuck buddy might be a bit crude, eh?
“Boyfriend. Significant other, whatever you’d like to call it. That’s what I’m trying to be anyway. Faith’s a little resistant, but I’m going to break her down with chocolate.” One of those smiles that made my clothes fall off flashed across his face, drawing another simpering giggle from Shonda.
“Girl, if you don’t grab that up, you’re crazy.” After one last long look at Joe, she sashayed her way back to her desk.
“I actually came here for another reason. My last and final date is with Mrs. Covington, and she’d like you to join us for dinner at her house. Saturday night at seven o’clock. What do you say?”
It took me all of two seconds to come up with my answer. “I say yes. I’m sure I’ll enjoy the company. Is it safe to assume she dresses for dinner?”
He laughed at how well I knew the traditions of the rich. “Yes, ma’am. Black tie.”
“Good. I have an excuse to go shopping.”
“You could wear a burlap sack and look incredible, Faith. I can’t wait to see what you come up with, though. Until Saturday?” His hand snaked around my waist and pulled me up against his chest. “I’ll be counting the minutes.”
One smoldering kiss later and he was gone, leaving me standing there with my fingers on my lips. He was one hell of a kisser.
***
JOE
Well, it’s officially my last day at Perfect Ten, and I couldn’t be happier. One more date that’s not really even a job for me and I’m out. Thank fucking Christ.
Faith and I were in the Audi, which would be leaving me any day now, heading toward the Perfect Ten office. I wanted to pick up my last commission check and grab the few personal items I had there before going to Mrs. Covington’s so that I never had to go back there again.
Faith’s hands were simply lying in her lap, so I reached over and grabbed one. Her fingers instinctively closed around mine. “You look beautiful tonight, Faith.”
Her laugh was so free with me now. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to have her. “Thank you. Again.”
“Sorry. I can’t help myself. You really are stunning.” She had on a simple black dress that was anything but simple on her. It was very low cut, whi
ch was freaking awesome—until she wrapped one of those fancy scarves around her neck. Don’t get me wrong, it looked pretty, but it covered up one of my favorite parts of her.
“Right back at you. Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re beautiful too, Joe. God, your eyes are amazing. I’m sure you’ve been told that a million times before, but they really are.”
“I may have been told that before, but you’re the first woman I’ve heard say it. Thank you. The words that come out of your mouth mean something to me.” Damn, I was in sappy mood, huh? What a difference a good woman makes. I’ve hardly said fuck at all tonight.
I pulled into the Perfect Ten parking lot and got a dirty feeling about me. I should have stopped there before I picked Faith up. She shouldn’t be anywhere near this place. It’s surprising to me that I never gave my occupation, or the people who worked with me, a thought until I didn’t want to do it anymore. Now I feel like everyone else does about escorts. Faith worries about her body, and now I’m ashamed of what I did for almost seven years. I guess that’s my hang up.
Faith had her hand on the door handle before I got out of the car. “You can stay here if you want, sweetheart. I’ll just be a couple of minutes.”
“Okay.”
When I got out of the car, the shit hit the fan.
“Joe! Hey, baby, over here!”
Holy fucking mother of God. Sophia DeMarino. I looked back at Faith and motioned for her to stay in the car. I didn’t want Sophia anywhere near Faith, for obvious reasons.
Before I had a chance to walk more than a few feet away from the car, Sophia was upon me, mashing her body up against mine.
“You’re looking gorgeous tonight, cupcake. Gotta hot date? I’d be pleased to come along.” She reached up and grabbed my neck, planting a wet, open-mouthed kiss on my lips. “I told you I’d be seeing you again. I stopped by your house, but—”
I pushed myself out of her embrace and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. “You know where I live?”
“Yes, of course. I pulled into your parking garage, but only your truck and Lexus were there, so I figured I’d try here. And here you are!” She hooked her arm through mine. “Let’s go get nasty.”
“Sophia. You can’t go to my house. And I already told you. I quit Perfect Ten. You have Vaughn now, remember?” She was really off her rocker. I guess I never looked at her too closely before. I’d fuck her and leave. Again, I’m feeling a bit dirty.
“Vaughn’s pretty good. He has a nice fat dick, but he lacks a certain… I don’t know. Commanding presence? Come on.”
I yanked my arm away from her and made the mistake of looking back at my car where Faith was watching our exchange.
“Who’s that, Joe?” All playfulness left her when she saw me glance at Faith. “Who is that woman?” She walked over to my car and banged on the passenger window, causing Faith to jump in her seat. “Open the window. I want to talk to you.”
“Keep it closed, Faith.” It would have been too good to be true if she’d listened to me, I guess. She didn’t just open the window; she actually got out of the car.
She climbed out and stood close to me. “I’m Faith Graham. Who might you be?”
“I’m Sophia DeMarino. I’m sure Joe’s told you about me.”
“No. I can’t say your name rings a bell. Should it?”
Sophia’s face gave nothing away. I might have enjoyed the way Faith was putting her claws out for me if I wasn’t slightly concerned about Sophia’s sanity.
“Joe and I go way back. We’ve certainly fucked a lot. Hell, the very first time we met, he fucked me right up the ass. He likes fucking me in the ass, don’t you, baby?”
“That’s enough, Sophia. You need to leave.”
Sophia’s laughter held a menacing quality. “Oh, I’ll leave when I’m ready, and not before. I want that nice, hard dick back in my ass, baby.” She ran a finger over my chest. “Don’t you remember how good it was? Pumping into me harder and harder, me screaming out your name? It’s never been so good. Not even the other night when you watched me with Vaughn.” She looked at Faith to tell the rest. “Most men are afraid of hurting us weak women, but not Joe. He fucked me like I was built like you. Nice and sturdy, you know?”
Faith simply stood there, taking it all in. I had no idea where her thoughts were, and I had no idea how the fuck to get rid of Sophia.
***
FAITH
To be perfectly honest, I figured Joe’s past was going to bite him in the ass at some point. That it was before he even officially got out of Perfect Ten was a bit daunting though.
Sophia was making me doubt the trust I’d put in Joe again, but you know what? When I decided to give Joe a chance, give both of us a chance, I decided to give it one hundred percent. One last time, I’d throw myself out there. Well, guess what? This crazy bitch wasn’t going to ruin that. If our relationship wasn’t going to work, it would be because of us. Joe and me—not some pathetic, needy woman.
“I’m not sure what you want me to say, Sophia. We all have a past. Some of it we aren’t so proud of, but it’s there. I know what Joe did. That’s his past. I’m his future. He also told me about your last date, and I know he didn’t touch you.” I was holding my breath, waiting for her to contradict me. Did Joe really leave her alone that night? When Sophia said nothing, pure joy burst free in my chest.
Joe’s head hung down in a gesture I never wanted to see again. How many times had he assured me that he was more than his past job? How many times did he tell me that he wasn’t proud of it and that those women meant nothing to them? My father’s teachings were burned in my mind at that moment. Everyone deserves a second chance.
I lifted Joe’s head up to look at me. “Never put your head down, Joe Starling. You have nothing to be ashamed of, do you hear me?”
There was a glint in his eye that looked startlingly like a tear. That was another thing I’d rather not see in him. “God, Faith. You humble me.” He put his arm around me, pulling me farther away from Sophia, and closer to him. “Thank you,” he whispered in my ear. And that was that.
We walked away from Sophia as she stared at us in disbelief of his dismissal of her. I sincerely hoped that was the last we’d see of Joe’s past, but I had my doubts. Sophia seemed like a very determined woman.
CHAPTER 27
JOE
STILL MARVELING OVER Faith’s defense of me and total acceptance of my past, I drove us to Mrs. Covington’s, clinging to her hand the whole way. I did not deserve her, but I sure as hell was going to keep her!
“You’re amazing, you know that? How did you do it? How did you keep her words from affecting you? I couldn’t be so strong if the situation was reversed.”
“Oh, it’s not that they didn’t affect me, Joe. To be honest, she made me doubt you again for a minute there.” She gave me a reassuring squeeze and continued. “I hate thinking about all those women you’ve been with, and I try really hard not to. I’m determined to win against those intrusive thoughts. One of the girls told me that I was those women’s competition and you found them lacking. Do you have any idea how much that means to me? It boggles my mind. You’ve shown me how much you want to move forward, so what kind of person would I be if I allowed your past to hold either one of us back?”
“I really don’t deserve you, you know.”
Her quick grin lifted some of the guilt from my shoulders. “Of course, you don’t.”
“I swear, I’ll make it up to you. Later. Tonight. I’m going to make you feel so good that you’ll never want to let me go.”
“Yeah? Tell me. What will you do?”
I let her hand go to slip mine under her skirt, satisfied at the way her lips parted. “You’re playing with fire here, Ms. Graham.”
“I like it hot, Joe.”
Fuck me. As much as I loved Mrs. C., it was going to be a long night. I made circular patterns on her leg as I ran my hand higher. I knew she’d back down. These games were mine to play. I was
a puppet master. She was putty in my hands—until she spread her legs with a moan giving me access to her pussy, which was already wet.
“Jesus. You don’t have any panties on?”
She laughed as only a woman could in that kind of situation. She knew she held all the power. Who the fuck did I think I was? Puppet master, my ass! I was an idiot. She’d always hold the power, and I’d happily hand her my strings.
“Do you feel any?” Her body slid down the seat as her heat slipped over my fingers. “Umm, that feels good.”
Trying my best to concentrate on the road, I ignored my dick getting harder by the second. When the car coming the other way beeped at me as I drifted into their lane, I reluctantly withdrew my hand. “You win. Fuck, I want you.”
She slid me a hot glance. Her flushed face and parted lips teased me. “How much longer until we reach Mrs. Covington’s?”
“Huh?”
“How long, Joe?”
I glanced at the clock on the dash and quickly did some math, surprised as hell that my brain was still functioning. “About twenty minutes.” Her grin widened, and she unhooked her seatbelt.
“Drive carefully, okay?”
Reaching into the back, she grabbed her shawl and bunched it up, laying it on the console between us. “What are you doing, Faith?”
“Just drive.” And fucking jackpot. She reached over and freed my straining cock.
“Aw, fuck. What are you doing, Faith?” I could only hope. It only took another two seconds before I had her answer, along with her lips wrapped around my cock, slowly moving over me.
“Aw, Jesus. We’re gonna die.” How the fuck was I supposed to drive like that?
She giggled as her tongue darted out to lick the full length of me, sucking at the tip where there were already drops of pre-cum for her to take into her mouth.
Her lips stilled, and I took a quick peek down. “You know, I’m going to have to lick every drop of cum you give me up. We need to be clean, Joe.”
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