“Does this mean you won’t be here for dinner?”
“No, I’m sorry. I meant to tell you, but I forgot. I probably won’t be home until at least eight.” Crenshaw Lake was a solid forty-five minutes away, and that was with good traffic. “It might be late, but I can bring something back for us to eat, if you’d like. That way you don’t have to worry about cooking something for yourself.”
“No, but thank you. Instead, you should stop on the way home and pick up a carton of our favorite men. We can double-date on the couch with a movie.” Kelsey and I hadn’t had a “double date” with Ben and Jerry in a while. With everything going on, it was definitely something we needed tonight.
“I think I can make that happen. I’ll grab the men; you pick the flick.”
“Deal. When are you leaving?”
“I really need to leave here in the next ten or so minutes.”
I smiled and patted her leg. “Thanks for listening to me, Kels.”
“Always, Tater.”
I pushed off the couch to put my things away before she started to twitch. Living together should’ve helped one of us with our issues—either by keeping me organized or lessening her need to have everything in its place. But no. It seemed her issues had gotten worse while I’d learned to keep my mess centralized in my room.
While she got ready to leave, I occupied my time with a short video call to my brother. After hearing what Michael had said about Tanner, I needed to see my brother’s face to ease the irrational guilt that ate at me.
About ten minutes after Kelsey came in to say goodbye, my phone rang next to me on the mattress. The second I saw it was Jay, I realized I’d never let him know that I had changed my mind about going to his house after work.
“Where are you at?” Just the sound of his voice made me regret that decision.
“My apartment.”
“I thought you were coming here?”
I could’ve told the truth, but I didn’t see the point in ruining my unbeatable lying streak. “Yeah, I was, but then I thought about how weird it would be to sit at your house while you weren’t there, and I decided against it.”
He was quiet for a moment, but then he said, “You were here all by yourself when I went to Boots. How was that any different?”
“For starters, it wasn’t like I had any other option.”
“Good point.” He laughed. “Well, I just got home. It’s not too late to come by.”
I sighed and closed my eyes, thankful that he couldn’t see my face. “As much as I would love to, I think I’m just going to stay in.”
“What’s your excuse now?”
Too bad I didn’t have another lie readily available. It looked like my streak had ended—for the time being. “I had a pretty craptastic day.”
“Is everything all right?” God, I hated it when he did that.
“Yeah. I mean, it will be. It’s fine. Just a bad day. Nothing important.”
“I’m coming over.”
“W-what? No! I-I mean . . . you don’t have to.”
“I know I don’t have to. I want to, Tatum.”
My heart sputtered and then paused, waiting for the kicker it knew would come. “Why?”
“Why do I want to? Babe, I spent all day counting down the hours, then the minutes until I got to leave the office, all because you were supposed to be here. You’re not. And I’m not about to let that keep me from getting what I’ve been looking forward to since last night.”
And there it was. “Ahh, I get it now. You want sex.”
“Doesn’t every man?” His gravelly amusement rolled through the line like a boulder tumbling down the side of a mountain, and all I could think about was how gorgeous his smile was when he did that. “But that’s not why I’m coming over.”
“If it’s not for the sexual pleasure that I offer, what other reason is there?”
“You’ve had a craptastic day.” Somewhere, an angel sang.
“Good line, but you said you wanted to get what you’ve waited all day for.”
“Oh, you want the list? All right . . . to see your smile, look into your eyes, and for the love of God, I need to kiss you before I fucking go crazy. Your lips . . . damn. I’m convinced you lace your lipstick with crack or something.”
I checked the time, noting that I had approximately two and a half hours before Kelsey came home. Realistically speaking, there was no reason he couldn’t stop by. And before I could think of all the reasons he shouldn’t, I said, “Hurry. You have to be gone by eight.”
“I’m so fucked,” Jason groaned against my neck while we frantically tried to slow our racing hearts and erratic breathing.
“Oh yeah? Why’s that?”
“Well, for starters, you’ve ruined lunch breaks for me, and now . . .” He pushed up onto one elbow to see me better. “You’ve likely tainted vehicles in general. If we keep this up, there won’t be anything left. Everything will make me think about being balls deep in you.”
I’d met him in the parking lot less than an hour after we hung up. He’d insisted I let him in the apartment, but I was too scared Kelsey would come home and find him in my bed. That was far too risky. So, we lifted the back gate on my SUV and ate the takeout he’d grabbed on his way over. That was also when he had surprised me with information about taking part in a cooking segment for the local news station.
This man just wouldn’t give up.
And the more he mentioned it, the more I began to warm up to the idea.
After discussing the opportunity he’d snagged for me—thanks to the husband of someone he worked with—we’d wound up in the back with the hatch closed . . . naked. It was good to know that there was enough room for two grown adults to have sex without cramping up or being uncomfortable. It would boost the resale value.
“Yup. You got me, Jay. Lunch, car . . . next it’ll be your office. You didn’t know my master plan was to ruin everything in your life?” I teased.
Jason trailed the tip of his finger down the center of my chest, then circled it along the bottom of my bare breast. When he covered it with the heat of his palm, I grabbed his wrist and tried to push his hand away. I let him have his fun while we were in the moment, but that didn’t mean I was comfortable or confident enough to sit back and let him analyze the part of my body I had the biggest issue with.
“I don’t get it, Tatum. Why must you refuse me the joy of playing with your tits?”
A laugh bubbled out at his crassness. “As I recall, you enjoyed them quite a bit a few minutes ago. In fact, I’m fairly certain my right nipple will be bruised after all the fun you had with it between your teeth.”
The lights from the parking lot filtered through the tinted windows just enough so I could see his eyes sparkle with his wide, infectious grin. “You know what I mean, brat. You never let me just see them.”
“How willing would you be if I wanted to sit between your legs and just see your dick? It’s not show-and-tell, Jay. And considering you’ve gotten me naked a lot recently, I’m surprised you don’t have them memorized by now.”
He huffed like a spoiled child, even though he smiled like a kid in a candy shop. “I’m buried in you almost the entire time you’re naked. And I’m sorry, but I usually have my mind on other things—like the way your cheeks turn pink just before you come, or how you lightly rake your nails over my shoulder blades when you’re focused on getting me off. I’m not paying attention to the exact shade of your nipples or the degree of the curve along the bottom. And almost as soon as we finish, you cover yourself up again.”
Flattery would only get him so far—like maybe a blow job or a highway handy—but he wouldn’t get his way with this. “They’re asymmetrical; one’s bigger than the other. There, now you have all the information you need.”
“You make it sound like one’s a golf ball while the other is a grapefruit,” he teased, yet it was obvious this bothered him. “They look the same to me.”
I didn’t argue, because rea
lly, it wasn’t a noticeable difference—well, it was to me, thanks to Michael commenting on it once. But that didn’t mean I wanted to feel like a mannequin on display while Jason studied the design of my breasts.
“Baby, we’re all asymmetrical. You have to own that shit. Nothing is sexier than a woman who’s comfortable in her own skin.” One corner of his mouth turned up ever so slightly. “And considering you’re already sexy as hell, I bet you could have a guy coming in his pants if he walked in and found you just lounging on the couch in nothing but your birthday suit.”
“Too bad we’ll never know, huh?” I gently pushed him off me so I could sit up.
Before he gave me space to grab my clothes, he brought his face close to mine, so close that I felt his words across my lips when he whispered, “You’re fucking perfect, Tatum. Don’t ever doubt that.” And then he moved away, giving me room to sit up.
Either he didn’t care that he left me breathless, or he’d done it on purpose.
He leaned against the side panel with his legs bent between us. His forearms rested on his knees, and he didn’t have a care in the world that he was as naked as the day was long. In truth, I envied that about him. And he was right—it was utterly erotic to see.
“You never answered me earlier. Are you going to call Charlie about the show?”
“I don’t know, Jay,” I mumbled while slipping my tank over my head. “Why is it so important to you? I understand you like this Mary chick—”
“Maryanne. And I’m not asking you to do it for her. I want you to do it for yourself.”
“Fine, but going behind my back and getting her husband to set this up was a wasted effort on your part.”
“Charlie said it wasn’t a big deal if you said no.”
I huffed, nearly giving up on pulling my leggings back on. That task proved to be a million times more difficult than taking them off in the back of an SUV had been. “Except it’s not. He’s giving me an opportunity, and I would feel like an ungrateful fool for not doing it. Not to mention, I’d feel bad letting you down.”
Once I finally got my pants back on, Jason moved to his knees in front of me, holding himself up with his hands on the side panel behind me. “You could never let me down, so don’t even think that way. If you truly don’t want to do it, then don’t. But if it’s fear holding you back, just close your eyes and take the plunge. I’ll be happy with whatever decision you make.”
I cupped his cheeks in my hands, ready to claim his mouth, when the heavy thump of a door closing came from the parking space next to us. I tilted my head to the side just in time to see Kelsey round the back of her car. “Oh shit.”
Jason peered over his shoulder and stared at his cousin while she grabbed her messenger bag and a grocery sack from her trunk. “Do you think she can see us?”
“I’ve never stood outside at night and tried to look in from a few feet away. How am I supposed to know?”
“We should probably come up with something in case she can.”
I swallowed hard to keep the panic inside from consuming me. “Jay . . . you’re not wearing a stitch of clothing. I’m not sure we have many believable options with your dick dangling between your legs.”
As he brought his attention back to me, his hushed chuckle brushed across my face. “It’s a good thing you’re dressed. We can use that to our advantage. Now we just have to think of a reason we’d be in the back of your car in a parking lot at night without the engine running. It would also need to explain why only one of us is naked. Sex trafficking?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as Kelsey shut the trunk and walked toward the building. I covered his mouth with mine, nearly getting lost in the impatient kiss, and then quickly shoved against his chest.
“I have to go. She saw my car, and I’m not exactly dressed for a stroll—not to mention, I don’t stroll. So I need to get back inside . . . like now.”
“And make me walk to my car in the buff?”
I twisted my lips to the side, taking a moment to envision it. “As much fun as that would be, I don’t have time to watch it. Just get dressed in here, and when you’re done, lock it up.” I kissed him once more and then climbed over the back seat. In my head, it was a stealth, almost James Bond–type of move, but in reality, it was more of a tuck and roll gone bad.
His laughter echoed behind me as I hopped out, and I replayed it in my mind as I raced back to the apartment before Kelsey could question why I was outside without shoes.
19
Tatum
“You got this, Kels.” I’d never been very good at pep talks. Thank God my best friend didn’t expect more from me. “Go shine like a diamond. Show those bitches who’s boss. Kick ass and take names.”
Kelsey might have released a hint of laughter wrapped in an exhale, but it did nothing to mask the nerves that currently made her right eye twitch. I understood . . . kind of. I mean, I’d never been in this position before, where my hopes and dreams were dependent on one night, but I could totally imagine.
The moment grew heavier, and despite my reservations, I pulled her into a hug. “Really, Kels . . . you’re going to do great. I bet everyone will put in an offer. Alabaster Builders would be insane if they don’t recognize what you bring to the table.”
“We shall see.” She patted my back and let go.
“Don’t worry, Kelsey. If they don’t see it, another company will. You’ve been working with realtors for years. It’s only a matter of time before the big builders want in on what you do for a sale.”
She smiled and shuffled her feet toward the door. “I have no idea when I’ll get home. What are you going to do in the meantime?”
“Word search.” That was probably the most believable lie I had ever told. The truth was, I had invited Jason over. I had quite the surprise planned for him, and if she came back early, she’d get an even bigger one.
“After tonight, I’m all yours. Got it? I haven’t been a very good friend to you this past week. You’ve needed me, and I’ve been too wrapped up in this project to offer you the support you deserve. But starting tonight, I’ll be up your ass so much you’ll need an enema to get rid of me.”
I loved this woman and the constant support she gave, but if she didn’t get out of the apartment now, she’d be the one with something shoved up her ass. “Thanks, Kels. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Bye, Tater.”
“Good luck,” I called out before the door closed all the way.
I counted to ten, just to be sure she hadn’t forgotten something, and then sprang into action. I wasn’t entirely sure when Jay would get here, but I wanted to be ready. He’d told me he would come over after work, yet I hadn’t thought to ask if that meant straight from the office or after changing his clothes. Either way, he had about a thirty-minute drive from Langston to Samson, depending on traffic.
Checking the time, I realized I had at least half an hour before he’d show up. But that didn’t mean I could relax. There was still so much to do to get ready, and I hadn’t been able to do any of it until after Kelsey left. If I’d started cleaning in front of her, she would’ve known something was up.
I tore through the apartment, picking up anything that didn’t belong, and tossed it all into my room—it was faster than putting things away. Jay was a neat freak; I was not. So, I wanted the place to be as spotless as possible for him. After all, we had a couch; he didn’t need to go to my room.
Once I had everything looking like a maid had spent hours cleaning, I stripped down to my panties and bra and sat on the sofa. With my feet propped on the edge of the coffee table, I waited impatiently for Jason to arrive. I’d seen poses like this before and thought it would be sexy. Although, those had been in magazines, which had probably been edited. I was quickly reminded that real life didn’t come with Photoshop to buff out the crease—I refuse to call it a roll—that ran across my waist. Thank God I had time to get this right.
I tried a few more positions, yet nothi
ng felt right. I assumed it was the outfit and decided to shed the rest of what I had on. At first, I stuffed the bra and panties between the cushions, but then I thought better of it. As much as I wanted them close by for comfort reasons, I knew Jay would appreciate it more if I just bared it all. And the only way to prevent myself from changing my mind before he showed up was to lock them in my room. I took two steps before deciding to lock the bathroom door as well. You know, to ensure I didn’t chicken out and put them back on.
And then it was back to finding the right pose.
I tried stretching out with my arms above my head. That left nothing to the imagination, so I tried draping my arms across my body in various ways. Then I repositioned my legs a few times. But no matter what I did, nothing felt sexy.
So I rolled onto my stomach.
Same issues, different pose.
But the knock on the door prevented me from switching it up again—good thing, too; otherwise, Jason might’ve found me in the fetal position.
I’d told him to just walk in, but apparently, he hadn’t listened. So, I propped my head on my hand and called out for him to come in. My heart raced as time stood still, my bravado waning by the millisecond. But then the handle turned, and the door cracked open.
Here goes nothing.
I’d planned this out for days, ever since Kelsey had told me that she’d be gone for hours. This was my only opportunity to surprise Jay by owning my imperfections. He’d mentioned finding me naked on the couch . . . and since I wasn’t very creative in the face of fear, I couldn’t come up with any other ideas. Naked on the couch would have to do.
Jason was turned on by confidence. I had that in spades in a kitchen—in the nude, not so much. So, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and imagined I was in front of a stove. I called to mind the aroma of fresh herbs and lemon, the sizzle of homemade ghee in the pan, and the heat of the flame beneath the burner. It was enough to slow my racing heart and bring my breathing to an even rhythm.
That’s when I released the air from my lungs and opened my eyes.
The (Half) Truth Page 24