by Chelle Bliss
I was the first one to grab my papers and head for the door. When I stepped into the hallway, I stopped midstep. City stood outside my office door, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and looking angry.
“City.” I tried to keep my voice from betraying the shock and worry I felt at him being here. “What’s up, man?”
“We gotta talk.”
“Surrre,” I said, motioning toward my office. “Let’s go inside.”
He opened the door and I trailed behind, keeping my distance.
Sweat started to form on my brow line. I had never been afraid of City, but I sure as hell never wanted to piss him off.
“What’s up?” I asked, walking around my desk.
“Listen, Frisco,” he said as he rubbed his forehead and sat down. “Sorry for the display out there.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m not pissed at you. Suzy asked me to talk with you, and I know she’ll call Angel to see if I did. I had to make sure I looked angry so word wouldn’t get back to the wife. Got me?” He laughed and shook his head. “Fuckin’ women.”
Suddenly the lump that had formed in my throat vanished. “Thank God. I thought you were here to beat my ass.”
“Nah, bud. What happened with G? I thought you liked her.” He leaned back in the chair, his shoulders and body relaxing.
“City, what do you know about her?”
“Not much, but if you say she has a dick, I’m not going to believe you.”
“Nothing like that, fucker.”
“I only know that Suzy loves her and thinks you two would be great together. When my wife calls upset, I act on it.”
“I know.” I blew out a hard breath. “She’s different than other girls.”
“You found one of those?”
“One of what?” I asked, straightening my back and playing stupid.
“A girl you can’t imagine life without.”
I held my hands up. “Wait a minute. I’m not saying that. She’s just different.”
“So was my Suzy. That’s why I wanted her so badly. I knew the moment I found out she was different that I wanted no one but her in my life.”
“Don’t put words in my mouth.” I gripped the armrests, feeling the blood drain from my knuckles.
“Stop lying to yourself. What’s so different about Georgia that you threw her ass out? You’ve never thrown anyone away. I know you, Frisco,” he said as he leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. “You never burn a bridge to pussy heaven.”
I laughed, caught completely off guard by his statement. It didn’t sound like something I’d heard him say in a long, long time. “It’s not that.”
“Well, stop telling me what it isn’t and start spilling your guts about what it is. Why is this girl in knots today, and why in the fuck am I getting calls from my wife telling me she’s going to kick you in the balls?”
“I didn’t throw Georgia out of my house. I swear to God, that didn’t happen. I just told her we couldn’t see each other again.”
“Ever?” City asked, resting his index finger against his lips as he stared at me. “I mean, there’s more. You have the woman in tears.”
“My cock is just that amazing.” It was not my place to tell the story of Georgia’s sex life, or lack thereof.
City rolled his eyes and smashed his hands together. “I can see I’m going to get nothing out of you.”
“My lips are sealed.”
“Did you do something that would make me want to kick your ass?”
I shook my head and frowned. “I was such a gentleman, you’d give me a pat on the back.”
His eyebrows drew together. “You didn’t fuck her?”
“Nope. I didn’t.”
“Then what the fuck is she so upset about?”
I cleared my throat and decided to spill the beans. “I’ll tell you, but it does not leave this room.”
“Swear.” He held up two fingers, giving me a bullshit scout’s honor.
“She’s a virgin,” I blurted.
His eyebrows shot up and almost grazed his hairline. “A what?”
“A virgin,” I repeated, speaking more slowly.
“Well, fuck.” He scrubbed his hands over his face.
I nodded and closed my eyes, taking a moment to let that reality set in. “Yeah. It’s a total clusterfuck.”
He stood and started to pace in front of my desk. “But then I don’t get why she’s so upset.”
“We messed around a little, and in the morning, I told her I couldn’t see her again.”
He stopped dead in his tracks and turned to face me. “You what?”
I rubbed my forehead, trying to ease the tension that I could feel building. “I can’t see that girl again.”
“She’s like the Holy motherfuckin’ Grail, Frisco. I would’ve killed to have had Suzy be a virgin when I met her.”
His reaction matched that of probably eighty percent of the male population in the world, but not mine.
“You married Sunshine. I have no plans on settling down with Georgia—or anyone. I’m not going to be the one to take her virginity either.”
“Georgia isn’t Jeanine.”
I resisted the urge to do a face plant on my desk. “I know. Jeanine couldn’t keep her legs closed.”
He rested his hands on the desk. “Just listen to me for a minute.” He paused, holding his hand up before he stood. “You wanted a relationship. You’re a lot like me, but you’re waiting for the right girl. What’s better than a virgin? You won’t have to worry about her fucking around. I really like Georgia. I think she’s perfect for you.”
“City.” My voice was laced with warning. “I just need to stay away from anything involving commitment. Georgia is a great girl, but just not for me.”
He walked toward the door and paused. “I got ya.” He opened the door, and when he walked out, I swear he mumbled, “We’ll see about that.”
I set my face in my hands, pressing the fleshy part of my palm into my eyes. I could see no one was going to let sleeping dogs lie. I’d do everything in my power to make everyone realize I wasn’t the guy for her.
Chapter 7
Tricks
Georgia wouldn’t do me the way Jeanine had. Hell, she hadn’t done anyone at all. I mulled over the words City said in my office earlier in the day.
Before Jeanine, I would’ve said I wanted a relationship. But now, the thought of it made my stomach twist into knots. Any trust I’d had in the female gender evaporated.
I wasn’t the right person for Georgia based on that fact alone. She didn’t deserve my issues cast onto her.
Sitting in my car outside the Silver Sands Motel, waiting for Mrs. Green’s husband to show his ugly ass with his secretary, didn’t do much for my faith in relationships. I’d met with Mrs. Green a few times since I’d been assigned her case. She was a sweet woman, only about ten years older than me, and in a complete shambles over the unfaithfulness of her husband.
I needed to capture a few more shots to help seal her case against him. They wouldn’t be permissible in court, but she planned to use them to get her way in the divorce.
As I tossed a potato chip in my mouth, Mr. Jackass Green walked outside with his mistress, pawing her. Fucking asshole.
She tossed her head back and giggled as he buried his face in her neck. I grabbed my camera, taking shot after shot as they kissed and groped each other in public.
If it weren’t for the fact that they were having an affair, I would’ve been jealous. The happiness on their faces made me long for someone by my side. But when I remembered why I’d been snapping photos, all thoughts of it evaporated.
Tomorrow, I’d hand-deliver the evidence to Mrs. Green and close another case off my roster. This was just one in an endless line of cheating spouses and assholes trying to hide something from someone.
I sat in the parking lot for a moment. I didn’t feel like being home, especially after an evening like tonight. As
City: Can you drop by? I need help.
I couldn’t even believe it was a coincidence that he’d text me to drop by tonight of all nights. The last time City had needed help, he’d been injured and needed me to move some furniture. I smelled bullshit, but I never said no to a friend in need.
When I stopped at the red light, I texted him back and said the only thing I knew would be right.
Me: On my way.
God fucking help me. I already knew I was walking into a trap. Sunshine would probably be waiting at the front door to kick me in the balls.
As I pulled in, I turned off my headlights and let the car glide to a quiet stop. Much to my surprise, there were no other cars in the driveway. I expected Georgia to be here waiting for me along with Sunshine.
Before I knocked, the front door opened and Sunshine stood there with her hands on her hips.
“Hey.” I tucked my hands in my pockets.
“Hey.” Her eyes narrowed. “That’s all you have to say for yourself. Just ‘hey’?”
Rocking back and forth on my heels, I glanced down at the ground. “Let me explain—”
“Save it.” She stepped to the side. “Come in,”
I swallowed the lump that had lodged in my throat before I looked her in the eyes. “Maybe I should just go.”
“Get your ass in here,” City yelled from inside the house.
I turned my body slightly and tried to shuffle by, making sure my family jewels were safe from a possible kick ready to be hurled my way. “Fine,” I mumbled, walking by Sunshine.
She slammed the door. “He’s in the living room.” Sunshine followed close behind me, making me feel uneasy. I thought he was a tough customer this morning in my office, but little Suzy Sunshine wasn’t a pushover.
“Thanks.”
City sat on the couch, and Gigi played Barbies on the floor by his feet. “You made good time.”
“I came as soon as you asked. What’s up, buddy?” I sat down across from him and toyed with the edge of the armrest.
“We need to have a chat about Georgia.”
“Fuck.” He’d tricked me to get me here, and now I was a captive audience, with Sunshine by his side. “What is there to talk about? I thought we went over this already.”
“We have a way you can make it up to Georgia,” Sunshine said as she sat on the back of the couch and put her arm around City’s.
I help up my hands, halting them in their tracks. “What do I have to make up for?”
“For making her cry.”
If they weren’t looking at me like I was the biggest asshole, I would’ve laughed. “I did nothing wrong.”
“Women don’t cry for no reason.” Suzy pursed her lips, the same familiar glare on her face.
“Sugar, that’s not true.”
“Okay,” she said. Her shoulders sagged as she leaned into him. “Georgia doesn’t cry for no reason.”
“She’s a v—” I started to say and stopped midsentence when City started to shake his head. “What do I have to do to make things right?”
I should’ve stood my ground. The only thing I cared about was getting the hell out of their place.
“Take her to dinner. That’s it.”
“Dinner,” I repeated. “That’s all I have to do?”
“Yes,” City replied, rubbing Sunshine’s arm with a dopy grin. “After that, what’s done is done.”
I should’ve argued the point. If anything, everyone should be thanking me for not ruining the girl. If I hadn’t been a gentleman, she’d be in tears for other reasons. “I’ll take her to dinner. I’ll call her and set it up.”
“No need,” Sunshine said and stood. “She’s on her way here. You can take her out tonight and apologize.” Clearly Sunshine didn’t have any boundaries, especially when it came to other people. Maybe I’d misjudged her after all this time. I always thought of her as meek and mild, but she had been as conniving as other women I’d known.
“I can’t believe this.” I rubbed my hands together in front of me.
“It’s happening, buddy.”
“But I look like shit and I’ve worked all day.”
“Stop being such a girl,” Sunshine told me.
I looked at City, giving him a “you gotta be kidding” look. I needed to remember he’d sell me out in a heartbeat to his wife.
The front door opened just as I was about to bail. “Suzy, I’m here. What’s wrong?” Georgia’s voice echoed as the door slammed closed.
I closed my eyes, realizing that she had been lied to as much as I had. At least she hadn’t been okay with tricking me into seeing her.
“In here!” Sunshine yelled. A giant smile spread across her face when she looked at me.
Georgia walked into the room, jamming her cell phone in her purse before she looked up. She froze as her eyes caught a glimpse of me. “What the hell?” she asked, her eyes darting between Suzy and myself. She looked amazing, wearing a black polka-dot dress with wedge heels. Her hair was partially up, with strands falling around her shoulders.
“Georgia,” I said, standing from the couch and moving toward her.
“What’s going on here? I thought you had an emergency.”
Even only after being apart for a few short hours, my belly flopped. My cock instantly hardened. Too bad—no matter what, I wasn’t going to get any action.
“I did have an emergency. A love emergency.” Sunshine approached Georgia, giggling louder the closer she came.
“Suzy. I don’t like being tricked.”
“You weren’t.” Sunshine wrapped her arms around a stiff-backed Georgia. “Frisco dropped by and said he wanted to take you to dinner.”
My mouth fell open and my eyes grew wide at her statement. I’d always underestimated little Suzy Sunshine. We were both being tricked into this situation.
“He did?” Georgia whispered, peering at me over Sunshine’s shoulder.
Snapping my mouth closed, I nodded like the fucking idiot I always seemed to turn into when she was around.
Sunshine grabbed Georgia by the shoulders. “Let him buy you a nice dinner and make up for being an asshole.”
My eyes darted to City. “What the fuck?” I mouthed.
He shrugged before laughing softly.
“He wasn’t really an asshole.” Georgia’s eyes found me, soft and warm.
“Don’t ruin this,” Suzy whispered back but not softly enough that I didn’t hear.
Moments like these made me thankful I didn’t grow up with sisters.
“Georgia, I’d love to take you to dinner.”
Sunshine turned, giving me a smile over her shoulder. I wouldn’t forget that she’d hustled me. Someday, I’d find a way to return the favor.
“You don’t have to, Frisco.” Georgia stepped forward and stopped a few feet from me.
“I haven’t eaten, and you’ve come all this way. It’s the least I can do.”
“Don’t put yourself out or anything.”
I shook my head, realizing I sounded like an asshole. Again. It was my thing lately. “That’s not how I meant it. Fuck, you make me nervous.” My cheeks filled with air before I exhaled.
“Daddy, can you read me a story?” Gigi asked City, tugging on his pant leg and breaking the tension in the room.
City picked her up, placing her in his lap before kissing her chubby cheeks. “Sure, baby. As soon as our company leaves.”
I walked toward Georgia and held my hand out. “Please. I’d love to take you to dinner. Will you allow me the pleasure of your company?”
She slid her palm into mine and smiled softly. “I’d love to go to dinner with you.”
“You two go have some fun and get to know each other,” Sunshine said.
“I think I know a lot already,” I said, smirking at Georgia.
Her cheeks turned pink and she averted her eyes. “Um…” she mumbled.
I leaned to the side, bringing my lips toward Sunshine’s ear. “I’ll get you for this, Sunny,” I told her in a quiet tone.
“Okay. You better go. It’s a school night. You don’t want to keep G out too late.”
For fuck’s sake.
If I didn’t already feel like a cradle robber, reminding me that she had school tomorrow made me feel dirty. So dirty I didn’t know if I’d be able to scrub that image from my mind.
“Have fun, kids,” City said as we started walking toward the front door.
“Got it, Pops,” I called out over my shoulder.
Next time I saw him, we were having some words about getting into other people’s business. Wife or not, it wasn’t his place.
“Have fun,” Sunshine said before we walked outside.
I stopped on the stoop, still holding Georgia’s hand. “You don’t have to come to dinner with me.”
She hung her head and my heart instantly tugged. “You don’t have to go out with me.”
I touched her chin, bringing her eyes to mine. “Georgia.” I waited for her to look at me. “I’d love to take you to dinner. I’m sorry for the way things ended. We can at least be friends. Right?”
But how? I still remembered how she tasted, how she felt in my mouth, and the sound of her moans when she came. How could I do the friends thing?
She nodded and sighed. “We can be friends.”
“Good. Do you want to drive with me or follow me?”
She pulled away from my touch. “I’ll follow you.”
“Where to?” I asked, glancing toward my car, feeling uncomfortable.
“I need a drink, really. There’s a bar down the street. Is that okay?”
“You remember what happened last time we had a few drinks?” I asked, fishing my keys out of my pocket and adjusting my already hardening dick with my fingertips.
“I do.” She giggle-snorted. “It’s kind of unforgettable.”
I’d say. “Just follow me,” I said.
Tonight wouldn’t be easy.
Chapter 8
Complications
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