Chapter 53

With Mandy’s petite frame stretched out beside me, we both gazed from the hot tub’s swirling jets. An incessant drizzle spattered across my rear deck, sending sparkling droplets off the workout equipment. The chill air was carrying away wispy curls of steam from our mugs, breath, and the sudsy foam.

Once again, she was quiet. She’d been that way since watching the Cinder video. Although her other hand was roaming my leg, her brow was knitted. Something was eating at her.

“The video got to you, huh?” I sighed and placed my mug on the tub’s rim. “Look, I’ll stop playing with her. You’re far more important to me.”

“What? Um, no. Not that. I love watching you mess with that bitch.” she giggled. “Or should I say, ‘cunt?’ Heck, I want a shot at her again one day.”

But she said nothing more and returned to sipping her coffee while the bubbles washed over her shoulders. Okay, so not Cinder. Just as I sighed, lifting my mug, she spun her head to fix me with those blue lasers. With my heart frozen, I caught them filling with tears.

“It’s Charles. He’s leaving later this morning.” She lifted her hand from my leg to swipe a tear away with a foamy finger. “He’ll be gone on business for a week.”

“He does that.” I shrugged. “If you’re lonely, I sure don’t mind you staying with me. Assuming I’m not heading out as well.”

When she only stared at me, her eyebrows tightening, my heart restarted. Yeah, we’d have an entire week together. But then it halted as she inhaled, raising those perky cones beneath a wave of dripping suds. Okay, so maybe not. Again under the water, her hand was gliding over my thigh. But the tears were tumbling down her cheeks.

At her continued silence, I was more than confused. But right as the mug touched my lips, she cleared her throat.

“Jim, it’s my birthday on Thursday.”

“That’s in two days,” I murmured as the coffee’s steam slipped past me. When the synapses in my brain connected, I sucked on my teeth. “Oh, and Charles will miss it?”

With her face falling, she nodded. For all the world, she resembled an abandoned puppy.

“He always takes me out.” Air left her in a blast that sent foam scudding away. “Damn it, it’s the one day I get celebrated. By him.” She lifted her fingers from the water and shook off the suds. “I was about to make dinner reservations when he told me. He’d been too scared before. He’s known for a whole week already! Goddamned ... Ugh!”

Right as the hurt expression contorted and red zipped up her cheeks, I braced. But instead of the expected curses or more intense sobbing, the tears ended. With a thump, she landed her mug on the tub beside her and snatched her phone. Her nails clacked while she dialed.

As her eyes blazed, it rang. Then rang once more before connecting.

“You still mad?” Charles’ voice appeared.

“Yes.” Although she sniffled, her brows were furrowed even tighter.

“Sorry, sweetheart. It’s the Singapore deal and they need—”

“I don’t care, Charles!” shot from her. “It’s my birthday. You promised!”

“I know. I know.” At his tone softening, I could imagine his hands lifting. He knew as well as I did that when Mandy got fired up, she became a hellion. “How about when I get back? It’s only a week.”

“No!” She sent her gaze to the sheets of heavier rain battering the pool’s surface into a froth. “I’ll make the damned reservations. Go by myself!”

“Well—”

“Know what, Charles?” Her eyes flicked to me. My pulse stammered. They were flooded, not with anger, but with mischief and need. “Hold on. Wait a damn second.” While looking beyond me, she yelled across the empty deck. “Jim! Could you come over here?” After smiling at me, she lowered her voice. “Charles, listen to me very carefully. I want a nice dinner and I want it on my birthday. Ask Jim to take me.”

“What? Huh?” I called loudly, playing my part, although a mix of emotions collided within me.

That was no recent plan. No, she’d been scheming for a while. Ever more brazen, that was my Mandy. And damn it if I wasn’t holding in a chuckle as she handed the phone to me.

“Hey there, neighbor. Mornin’,” I said. “Mandy’s riled up about something. What’s going on?”

“It’s, um, her birthday the day after tomorrow,” he replied in a shaky voice. “And I ... Well, I can’t be there. She was looking forward to dinner at that new French place.”

“La Maison?” When I looked at her, a smile had appeared. No sign of the tears.

“Yeah, that one.”

“Fancy. And expensive,” I muttered in the calmest tone I could muster with her hand again skimming my thigh.

“Um-hmm, I know. Anyway, I can’t do it. But she really wants to go.” A quiet gulp left him. “Could you ... I mean, I can pay. Would you mind escorting her to dinner?”

“Well, I dunno, Charles.” As I grinned at her, she bit deep into the corner of her lip. “That’s an awful special day. I’m just the old neighbor dude.”

“Yeah, but you’re a decent old neighbor dude. Besides, you’ve already done so much for her. I’d really appreciate it. I mean, after everything you’ve done for me—us—you’re more than that, Jim.”

At that, she was smiling like a Cheshire cat and called out, “Oh, please Jim! Please say ‘yes.’ Just dinner. Maybe a movie?”

While his low gasp came from the other end at her pleading, I held back a groan. He couldn’t see what I could. Those bright blue eyes were filled with lust. Yeah, I knew the movies we’d watch. Or produce.

“ ... please, Jim.” With a slow shake of my head, I focused on the phone as Charles continued, “I feel awful and she ... Well, I know she’ll have a good time with you.”

“Fine.” I nodded even as her fingers eased upwards to find my stiffening shaft. “Um, okay. Yes, I’ll do it. But on one condition.”

“What’s that?”

“She lets me sleep late the next day.” I snorted despite her hand having tightened at my words. “I can’t catch a break since she’s started running and working out with me. She’s a real pain in the ass!”

As I grinned over at her, she struggled to hold back laughter. Yeah, we were a dangerous team. She wanted to be brazen? Fine, I could play that role as well.

“Sure.” Charles’ laughter filled the receiver. “I’ll ask, but you know how forceful she can be.”

“Don’t I know it.” It was my turn to chew on my lips as her fingers stroked faster. “See ya, Charles.”

When I held the phone out to her, she took her hand from my cock. After gnawing at her lips, she leaned to tap them on mine. Then, with a quiet sigh, she pressed into me and faced the screen.

“Thank you, dear,” she murmured while gliding her curves along my side. “Umm, have a safe trip.”

After I dropped the device to the tub rim, she leaned to nip at my chin. As my hands swept up her spine, she rolled on top of me.

“You really are a very naughty little slut,” I murmured before finding her peeking tongue with mine.

“Hmm, I am, aren’t I?” she mumbled before blinking her wide eyelashes and chewing on her lip. “You gonna shackle and beat me with a chain?”

“I should. Birthdays are special. And husband out of town for a week?” I chuckled as she rose to give me another quick kiss. But I gripped her waist and lifted her from me. “Get out of my tub, you little minx. Got some plans to make. I’ll handle the reservations. La Maison?”

“Yes, please.” She nodded while slipping from my hands to roll back into the frothy suds beside me. “And Jim?”

“Yes?” I scanned her while lifting the last of my coffee.

“Thank you.”

For a moment, the universe halted as she fixed me with her gaze. Yeah, the tone had carried far more weight than the two simple words.

“Don’t thank me yet.” I snorted. “Haven’t shackled and thwacked you.”

Although my response had been flippant, those eyes flickered. It was only for a second, but I caught it. Whether or not she wanted to admit it, there was a subtle competition between her and Cinder. Which could be fun.

No sooner had she departed than I moved into action. Amid everything else, I called in more than a few favors. Bent rules. Broke others. But by the time Thursday evening rolled around, I’d managed a minor miracle. Several, actually.

Which left the largest challenges. As I scoured the drawers and closet space she’d occupied, I packed whatever clothing I thought she could use. Not that much was necessary where we were headed. Then it was on to the bathroom. After scooping makeup and brushes into a smaller bag, I made them as neat as possible. Finally, after the millionth check of my black tuxedo, I grabbed our suitcases and dashed into the garage.

Beside the old pickup I drove most days was a sleek silhouette beneath a gray cover. A gift from somebody we’d worked with a long time ago; the exotic import sedan appeared as I ripped the dust cover away. Obsidian paint, flecked with sparkles, glimmered in the dim lighting.

“For special events,” I murmured while loading our luggage into the trunk.

With a throaty roar, it slid from the garage. The engine rumbled as I spun to a halt before Mandy’s home. My heartbeat was also rumbling as I snatched a bouquet from the soft leather seat and clambered from the vehicle to approach her front door.