Chapter 27

I got home a couple of hours before Derek was due. I needed that time to freshen up and try to reorient my brain and my emotions. So much had happened with Sofia that I was still processing the implications of it all. I did get a frozen lasagna going in the oven that would be ready when he came home.

I was touching up my makeup when a thought came to me: What if he wants sex tonight? I’d engaged in some really rough sex with Buck, and I didn’t know if I could do it again so soon with Derek. He knew when I had my period, so that wouldn’t work, but maybe I could fake a little headache or something.

Or ... is this my guilt talking? Do I just not want to sleep with Derek anymore? Shit, shit, shit ... I need to get a grip. Too much happened today for me to try to hide it all.

Then I thought of telling him that Sofia and I had worked out earlier, but it got a little out of control. Perfect, and I’ll just leave Buck out of the story. Yes, most of the guilt will be assuaged. I looked at my reflection in the mirror again. You aren’t fooling me, sister. I know what’s in your heart. I shook my head to clear my thoughts and kept making preparations for his arrival.

The lasagna was cooling on top of the stove when Derek came home, and I met him at the door with his Dalwhinnie and rocks. I kissed him softly, and he was very happy to see me.

“What smells so good?”

“I made lasagna!”

“By yourself?”

“Well, I had a little help from the frozen food section, yeah. It needs about ten minutes to cool down, and then we can eat.”

“Perfect, baby. Let’s sit down for a sec.”

We moved over to his big, easy chair, where he sat down, and I slid onto his lap like usual. I kissed him again, tasting his scotch on my tongue.

“How was your day, sweetie? Did you work on your tan or what?”

I ignored his little dig. “It was pretty good. How was yours?” I hadn’t decided yet just when I was going to tell him about Raven. He didn’t even know her real name was Sofia. It might turn him on or make him mad. I wasn’t sure. We’ll just see how it goes.

“It went great. Sales are up in most of my locations.”

“That’s good news. I’m happy for you. Maybe those morning meetings are firing up your guys.” I took his glass and sipped a bit of whisky.

He smiled at me, and I gave his glass back, and he took a sip. “You know, when I went to college, my favorite class was marketing. It was a really interesting course, and I learned so many new things. It really helped me push my old beat-up cars on people,” he gently teased.

Nice, Derek. Subtle, real subtle. “Well, it sounds like you had a good time in college,” I said patronizingly.

“The deadline for registering for the spring semester is coming up soon, Jenna. Have you decided on what classes you want to take?”

There it is, I snidely thought. “No, I haven’t yet.”

“Well, I let you slide on the fall semester because of your parents. But you know what? I have my laptop right here. Let’s get you going. We can choose your classes together.”

I wasn’t in the mood for this, any of it. “Oh! You let me slide. How kind of you. If you’re so interested in college and taking classes, maybe you should get your ass down to the admissions office and sign up,” I said sternly.

He took a deep breath. “When we met, you told me you were a college student, and dancing was a temporary summer thing. It doesn’t feel like that anymore.”

“So you’re my father now, telling me what to do, ordering me around?”

“Well, you do call me Daddy.” He immediately saw that his lame attempt at humor went nowhere, so he changed his tack. “Look, I only want you to be happy, honey, to have a fulfilling, productive life, and you’re so intelligent you could do so many amazing things.” He paused for a moment. “You didn’t think I wanted to spend the rest of my life with a strip–”

He wisely caught himself and didn’t finish his sentence, but he’d said enough. I harshly cut my eyes at him as I got off his fucking lap. Well, at least I don’t have to fake a headache now. I was getting a real one. “You can do whatever the fuck you want. I’m going to bed.”

I told the DJ, a new sleazy guy named Mick, that I wasn’t going to dance on stage tonight. He reminded me of my obligation to the club and of the fines that would be imposed. I reminded him that I didn’t give a flying fuck, just don’t call my name.

However, I did need to make money, so I wandered out onto the main floor. Ever since Tony launched his ad campaign that featured my picture on those billboards, the club has been packed, even on weeknights. I scanned the room, and a bunch of guys noticed me and tried to wave me over, but one caught my eye. Unlike the rest of the men who were seated, he was actually standing up, and he looked like he was desperately trying to get my attention. He was wearing a very sharp, expensive-looking three-piece business suit, which, of course, spoke of money. He looked to be in his early thirties, and he was reasonably handsome. When our eyes met, I walked over to him, and he sat back down.