“Monique scares the shit out of me, so please don’t wish something like that on me.” His hand covers mine where it lays on the seat between us. “I’m attracted to you, Lia, as you know. I know the budding analyst in you wants to break down all the reasons why, but sometimes it’s as simple as that. Most types of relationships are built around some type of attraction. I’ll work things out so we can spend more time together, if that is okay with you?” I agree, thrilled he seems to have gotten past his hang-up over my job with Date Night. Our food arrives before I can comment, and we spend the next hour enjoying the most delicious manicotti I’ve ever had.
I try to hide my disappointment when, instead of taking me to his nearby apartment, he does nothing more than hold my hand as Sam drives us to mine. He kisses me lightly on the lips. “I’ll call you tomorrow, and we’ll make plans.”
“Okay,” I answer as Sam opens my door. Again, I’m delivered to my apartment and bid goodnight. Rose and Jake are still out, and I trudge to my room, frustrated and confused; I had fully expected to be in Lucian’s bed tonight. I resist the urge to text him, not wanting to come across like a teenager who texts after each date. He said he would call; I just have to accept that Lucian does things on his own timeline. As I ponder relieving the ache he started earlier, my phone signals a text.
“Good night, Lia. Don’t even think of touching yourself. That’s my job now.”
I jerk, looking around the room as if expecting to see him. I want to ignore his text, but the devil in me cannot resist.
“Then you need to handle the job before someone else does.”
I giggle imagining his reaction.
“Just for that, I’ll fuck you hard the first time.”
Oh, my, I’ve stirred the hornet’s nest now. How unfair that he expects me not to touch myself after a statement like that; I want nothing more than to push a finger in my sex and imagine it’s his cock. Emboldened, I ask,
“When is the last time you touched yourself?”
His answer comes almost immediately,
“Last night…Sleep well.”
The image of Lucian touching himself while thinking of me is so hot. I want this man with a ferocity that is foreign to me. I know my dreams will once again be filled with him. Sleep has deserted me since meeting Lucian, and I’m counting the hours until our next encounter.
Chapter Six
Lia
“When I find him, he’s dead!” I’ve chanted nothing but my intentions to kill Lucian for the last hour. I’m so furious with him; I’m shaking. Normally, Fridays are my favorite day of the week. I only have two classes, which leaves me with the afternoon to catch up on schoolwork and run errands. In addition, I allow myself to splurge on a Starbucks frappe while I enjoy their Wi-Fi. I have received no notification from Date Night, so either Lucian doesn’t plan to see me tonight, or he isn’t using Date Night to do it.
I stop at the mailboxes in the lobby of my apartment building and thumb through the envelopes on the way up. When I find one from my bank, I cringe. Just what I don’t want to see today, my bank statement; proof in writing each month that I’m barely holding my head above water. I know better than to ignore it. I run so close some months that one little mathematical mistake on my part could equal disaster. A returned check and the fees associated with it would put me into the red. My pay from Date Night this week has been better than usual thanks to Lucian, and even though I feel guilty about taking his money, it’s a relief to be caught up on my bills at the moment. I’m surprised when instead of a statement, it appears to be a receipt. Surprise turns to shock when the receipt shows a deposit into my account for ten-thousand dollars.
Opening the door to my apartment, I’m met by a pissed-off Rose. “Bitch, why didn’t you tell me about your new job?!”
“Wha—What?” I ask, still freaked out over the bank’s mistake.
“I had to hear about it from our machine? You had to have known about it for a while if you’ve already quit Date Night.” I want nothing more than for her to go away so I can call my bank before this mess gets any worse. No doubt someone is wondering where their money is about now.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. I need to make a call. My checking account has been screwed up.”
Rose gives me a hurt look and walks over to the answering machine we keep for our regular phone. Rose’s parents insist we have it in case there is an emergency and both our cell phones are dead. A little paranoid on their part, but they pay the bill, so we don’t complain. It is also my contact number for school and work. “Lia, it’s Carrie at Date Night. I received your email about your new job at Quinn Software. I’m so sorry to lose you, but congratulations, and give me a call if you ever need a job again.”