Over the last few hours, I’d connected the puzzle pieces and figured out what Dex-slash-Jay had done to me. I just didn’t understand why.
Was this a game rich assholes liked to play? Screw with the working-class woman and see if you can get her to fuck you as a poor man? That was the puzzle piece that didn’t fit. Because the other night Jay could have fucked me—I’d rubbed myself up against him, practically begged him for it. God I was so fucking pathetic. But if that was his game—why didn’t he take the prize I was so willing to give? I hated that the only thing I could think of was that he didn’t even want me physically. Basically, I was a mental game for him and not even my ass grinding up against his dick made him want me.
When the dark Town Car finally pulled up in front of his fancy ass building, I watched from across the street as he got out. It killed me that my heart sped up seeing him step from the car. Dexter Truitt-slash-Jay Reed was most certainly an asshole—but a gorgeous asshole at that. I almost jumped out from behind the tree I was watching from, but when Dex leaned in and helped Bandit from the car, I was too confused and mesmerized to approach.
What is he doing with the dog?
The two of them walked to a small grassy area for a minute. Dex petted the dog and said something to him after he relieved himself, then they headed to the front door of the building. Right before he stepped inside, Dex stopped abruptly, turned back, and looked around the street. Ducking back to safety behind the tree, my heart was beating out of my chest as I wondered if he could have felt me watching him.
Then, just like that, he was gone.
I stood there for almost another hour, feeling all kinds of emotions. I was angry that there was no Jay—that I’d thrown myself at a man I clearly didn’t know at all. I was angry that I fell for the shit Dexter Truitt had fed me—the man was no better than his father. And I was angry that, above everything else, I was sad that the man I’d started to fall for didn’t really exist.
Eventually, I decided against approaching Dex-slash-Jay and headed home to wallow in self-pity with a glass of cheap wine. I took a bath, and found myself thinking that the emotional turmoil that I was in was a lot like the stages of grief. In a screwed-up way, I had lost someone today—Jay, who never really existed.
Stage one had been shock. Even staring at the words, I couldn’t believe that Jay and Dex were the same person. I’d actually made poor Suzette confirm that the man who’d just left was indeed Dexter Truitt.
Stage two was denial. I’d seen it in black and white on paper, watched the man get into a damn Town Car right in front of my eyes and verified the accuracy of it all with Suzette, yet I needed to sit out in front of his apartment for more confirmation of what he’d done.
Stage three had hit right after I polished off my second glass of wine. And it smacked me in the face with a vengeance—anger. I was pissed. Which led me to make up my own stage of healing—step 3B, I decided to call it. It was my favorite, and I couldn’t wait to embrace it.
Revenge.
Bandit had started to scratch at the door five minutes before eleven, so I was late getting to my laptop. I’d been antsy after the crap I’d pulled showing up as Jay on her doorstep following our last session. When I returned from a quick dog walk, I was relieved to find the chat window already open and a message waiting.
Bianca: Hello, Dex.
Dex: Hello, Bianca. How are you today?
Bianca: A little anxious, I suppose.
You and me both.
Dex: Anxious? About what? Is everything alright?
It took a few minutes for her to respond. But I was intrigued as hell when she finally did.
Bianca: There’s something I’ve wanted to ask you. But wasn’t sure how you’d feel about discussing the subject.
I’d already aired so much of my dirty laundry. I was curious what she could possibly feel was off limits at this point.
Dex: I’ve been an open book for you, Bianca. What did you want to talk about?
The answer came quick.
Bianca: Sex. I want to talk about sex.
This time it was me who needed to compose myself to respond.
Dex: Is this discussion for the article, or is what you’re asking more of a personal nature?
Bianca: It’s personal.
God, my cock was swelling just thinking about discussing sex with her. But I was certainly more than game if she was.
Dex: Ask away. I’m assuming our rules still stand, and I’ll get to ask a question for every one you do.
Bianca. Of course.
I’d poured myself a drink earlier, and now I was glad that I did. The dots were jumping around as I gulped back half the glass in one swallow.
Bianca: How open-minded are you?
Was Bianca into kink? I’d never delved too far into that arena, but I suppose I wouldn’t be opposed to it with the right partner. The thought of tying her to the bed, a little spanking and some anal play only made her that much more sexy to me.
Dex: Are you propositioning me, Ms. George?
I sucked down the other half of my drink. It did nothing to soften the steel in my pants.
Bianca: I am.
Dex: A woman who knows what she wants. I find that incredibly attractive. What did you have in mind?
It was the longest sixty seconds of my life waiting for her next response.
Bianca: A threesome with me and my friend.
I lifted my fingers to the keyboard to type a response three times, but couldn’t. I was speechless...wordless. What guy didn’t want a threesome with a beautiful woman and her friend? Yet, for some reason, the fact that she’d suggested it made me angry on some level. I liked her—I suppose I wasn’t as open-minded as I liked to think I was. To me, sharing was for fucking around, not someone you were really interested in. I wasn’t sure how to respond. After long moments passed, Bianca typed again.
Bianca: Are you there?
Dex: Yes.
Bianca: Did I offend you?
She actually did. But at the risk of sounding needy, I needed to explain why.
Dex: I’m interested in you, Bianca. While the thought of being with you in any capacity is extremely appealing, I’m not certain a three-way is the right way to start things off.
Bianca: That’s too bad. I think the three of us would be perfect together.
Dex: Perhaps we can try two and work our way up to three.
Given the opportunity, I was confident that I could please her so that she didn’t feel the need to invite her friend.
Bianca: I’m not sure that’s a good idea…
Dex: Have you done this type of thing before?
She ignored my question.
Bianca: Friday 7pm. Think about it. I’ll be in the lobby of the Library Hotel if you decide to join us.
Dex: And if I don’t join you?
Bianca: I’ve finished the article. I’ll send over a copy within a week for final approval. I believe our interview sessions have come to an end. If you decide not to join, have a nice life, Mr. Truitt.