Her eyes sparkled as she stood up. “Okay.”
I quickly got dressed and placed my hand on her lower back as we made our way out and down to the helicopter pad. Ashley filled me in on the way about this Jon guy.
Stepping outside the door, I stopped and turned Ashley to me. “Hey, I know all of this has just been about having a good time, but I really do care about you, Ash. If this guy does anything to you, you’ll tell me, right?”
With a tender smile, Ashley placed her hand on the side of my face and gently rubbed her thumb along my skin.
“Malcolm, one of these days you’re going to meet someone who is going to make you want more. I know what we had was just the first step in moving on.”
I swallowed hard and dropped my eyes.
“When you meet her you’re going to know instantly. Don’t push her away.”
With a chuckle, I took her hand in mine and pushed one of her fingers inside my mouth. I slowly sucked on it while I pulled it out while her mouth parted open. If there was one thing I knew how to do, it was use sex to my advantage. Anytime a woman started to talk about feelings, all I had to do was give them a visual.
“I’m glad you found someone who makes you feel that way, Ashley. But I lost that privilege a long time ago and I have no interest in it anymore.”
Ashley pulled a deep breath in through her nose and slowly blew it out. “I’ll see you soon?”
“Is that a question or a statement?”
Giggling, she took a few steps back. “Bye, Malcolm.”
She turned and headed over toward the helicopter pad as I shook my head and smiled. If finding love was what Ashley wanted, I wished her all the best. That shit was not in the cards for me.
Never has been . . . never will.
THE MOMENT I SMELLED THAT familiar cinnamon-apple scent, I smiled and instantly relaxed.
Home.
I dropped my keys on the antique table that sat in the entryway and kicked off the overly-expensive shoes my best friend, Annie, talked me into buying two weeks ago.
My hand went to the back of my neck where I massaged it while making my way into my modest two-bedroom apartment. Bending down, I held my hand out in hopes my bitch of a cat would at least welcome me home.
“Well hey there, sweet girl.”
Princess was a gray and white cat who still looked like a kitten. She’d barely grown after I got her and every single one of my friends called her ‘the kitten’. I was positive that was why she was such a little biotch. Her ego was bruised.
The cat stared at me like she couldn’t have cared less that I was there. Standing, I blew out a frustrated breath and made my way over to the kitchen.
“I bet you’ll love on me if I give you some food, won’t you, girl?”
Sure enough, when I pulled the lid back on her cat food, Princess ran in between my legs.
“There ya go, girl; eat up while I look for something for me to eat.”
My cell phone rang as I stood in front of the refrigerator and stared at nothing but almond milk, blueberries, and leftover Chinese food.
Annie’s name moved across the screen as I swiped my finger. “Hello?”
Music blared from the other end of the phone. “Annie? Where are you?”
“Paislie! Oh my gawd! You have to come out tonight. I know you said you were tired, but the amount of hot guys at this new bar is insane!”
Rolling my eyes, I leaned against the counter. “I can’t, Annie. I have a full day tomorrow at work.”
“Why is it always about work with you?”
Annie grew up in a very privileged home, unlike me who bounced from foster home to foster home and always ended back at the orphanage.
With a dry laugh, I replied, “Um . . . because I need it to clothe and feed myself.”
Annie huffed into the phone. “Paislie, you are the only person I know who puts a dedicated amount of money away in your savings. Girl, do you have any idea how fun shopping would be if you actually spent money?”
My eyes closed as I tried to keep my feelings in check. If she only knew how much I would love to go shopping and splurge on two hundred-dollar shoes and purses and go out every single weekend and party.
“Annie, you’ve never spent a day hungry in your life. If you had, you’d be more like me.”
The music got louder as I heard Annie laugh and say something to someone. “I’m talking to my best friend, you’d love her!”
“What did you say, sweetie? I was flirting with this good-looking football player, who I’m pretty sure needs to be between you and your sheets.”
A giggle slipped from my lips as I shook my head. “I don’t remember the last time I had sex.”
“Paislie, please!”
My eyes roamed my empty apartment. If I didn’t go out, I would end up making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and watching HGTV until I fell asleep.
“Fine. Where are you?”
“Oh. My. God! Did you say yes?”
Loosening my hair from the ponytail, I headed to my bedroom. “Yes, what should I wear?”