“I heard you’re bit on the side telling her friends how her personal security will be servicing her later!”
I groan. “I won’t be. I just said that to shut her up. She’ll be too drunk,” I explain.
“It’s fine, Cree. We didn’t make any promises. We aren’t exclusive,” she says.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I hiss. The bathroom door opens and Michelle’s friend steps out. I stand straighter and turn away from Eva. She storms off and I ball my fists.
“She’s so fucking incompetent,” Michelle says to one of the girls. “And Callum despises her. He said he witnessed her throwing herself at any man with a little money. Sad really.” When Michelle catches me staring at her, she smiles. “We just saw my assistant in the bathroom. Callum had another run-in with her on Saturday. He thinks I need to fire her.”
I follow them back to the VIP area and pull out my cell.
Me: You saw Callum yesterday???
I wait a few minutes and she doesn’t reply.
Me: I want to see you later.
Eva: You told me you had an all-nighter, remember? Don’t call me, I’ll call you and all that bollocks.
I grit my jaw again.
Chapter Ten
Eva
I curl up on the bed in my mum’s spare bedroom. She didn’t bother to ask me why I was letting myself into her house at two in the morning even though I live a few doors down from her. She never pries—she always waits for me to tell her.
Cree: I’m on my way.
I stare at the text message from Cree.
Me: I told you. I’m not home.
He tries to call me, but I ignore it. I hear the sound of his motorcycle a few minutes later. I peek out the window and watch as Cree stomps up towards my front door. When he gets no answer, he pulls a key out of his pocket and unlocks the door, letting himself in. He texts me again.
Cree: If you’re not home in five minutes I’ll come looking.
Me: You won’t find me.
I smirk to myself.
Cree: I’ll start at your mum’s!
I curse under my breath. Mum won’t lie for me if he turns up here. She always thinks it’s best to talk things through.
I get home exactly five minutes later. He’s sitting in the kitchen nursing a glass of water. He pushes it my way and I roll my eyes. Not this bullshit again. I drink a few gulps and slam it down, giving him a sarcastic smile.
“I’m here,” he says. “Not with her. I’m with you.”
“I told you, it’s fine. You don’t owe me an explanation,” I say.
“If you start spouting that bullshit about us not being exclusive again, I might just put you over my knee,” he growls.
“You’re free to see who you like,” I snap.
“Well, you aren’t, so don’t get no fuckin’ ideas.”
“I heard what she said to her stuck-up friends,” I hiss. “She was boasting about the sex you have in public places. She told them how you fuck all night. Have you shared your bed with her? You told me that hadn’t happened before.” I’m getting hysterical and I take a breath to calm myself.
“No, I haven’t ever stayed the night with her. Only you,” he insists.
“Why did you lie to me earlier? Why didn’t you tell me it was Michelle? I asked you and you lied.”
He hangs his head. “I didn’t lie. I just didn’t answer you. I don’t know why I did that. I guess I knew you wouldn’t be too happy. I have to do security for them. It’s club stuff,” he says.
“But you don’t have to lie about it. And you don’t have to make promises to her about sex.” I pout, and he takes my hand and pulls me towards him.
“We’re exclusive,” he says firmly. “In case it wasn’t clear earlier.”
“Are you going to tell Michelle that you’re seeing someone?” I ask.
He hesitates and I pull my hand away. “I have to get them to trust me. I won’t have sex with her. I promise that,” he says.
“Why do they need to trust you?”
“I can’t talk about club business, Eva. I’d tell you if I could, but for now, I have to work with them. I told you some, remember?” he asks and I nod. “The mayor wants us to look into that club Callum wanted you to go to.”
“What if I agree to go with him?” I suggest. “I could tell you about it.”
“No way,” he mutters, pulling me to him again and peppering kisses along my jaw.
“Cree, it makes sense. I’ll go, see what’s going on in there, and tell you. Then you can tell the mayor and you can stop flirting with Mrs. Money Bags.”
Cree stands, his large frame flanking me. He lifts me onto the breakfast counter and tugs at the straps of my dress. His eyes are full of lust and I know I’ve lost him now. He won’t talk about anything when he’s like this. He flicks his tongue over my exposed nipple and runs his large hands up my bare thighs. “I don’t wanna talk about that anymore,” he mutters.
“You can’t keep getting distracted with sex,” I point out, but he’s already hooking his fingers into my panties and pulling them down my legs.
On Monday evening, I head to the centre for my volunteering session. Emily tells me that Cree went to see her and her dad last week and I realise just how little I know about him. I send him a text to see if he’s had a good day, but when I step out from the centre, he’s waiting for me with takeout.
We go back to my place and he sets out the silver containers while I take a shower. We tuck into the Chinese food pretty much in silence. I’m so exhausted, I can’t think straight. Cree insists on wrapping himself around me on the couch while we watch television. It’s sweet and so normal. I never thought I’d
