“Yeah, so people can see. They’re pretty awesome. You’ll get a bunch of shares.”
“Oh. I don’t post them online.”
He stared like I told him I like to dance naked on I-5 every Monday morning. “How come?”
“I don’t really do social media.”
“Because…?” His gaze said, What kind of medieval woman are you?
“I…had some issues with a stalker before.”
He scoffed. “And? That’s what the Dad Unit is for.”
“He’s right. If you want to post them online, you should,” Tolyan said calmly.
“You don’t think it’s going to be a problem?”
A corner of his mouth quirked up. “No.”
Lyosha spread his hands. “See? If you want, you can follow me. I only post cool stuff. I’m trying to get a hundred thousand followers, and I’m pretty close.”
I stare at the bright app icon on my phone. Maybe it’ll be fun to post some of the latte art I’ve done. I might get some pointers from people who are better than I am that way. As long as I’m not posting my face, I should be okay. I’ll even join as Angie, rather than Angelika, which would make it harder for Roy to link the account to me.
My mind made up, I enter my information and register.
The app suggests some people for me to follow. Lyosha’s easy to find. There’s only one in Berkeley. Plus his profile picture gives him away. I follow him.
The system immediately suggests more people. Rhonda. Sean. Eric. Patrice. Maggie. Even Mira from the hotel.
My skin breaks out in goosebumps. How can a Silicon Valley company know so much about me just from what I entered? The system doesn’t show an account for Tolyan, though. I steal a glance. He’s still puffing his cigar, his eyes narrowed with pleasure. Yeah… I can’t picture him posting anything.
Okay, so… I tap my lip. Eric is a definite no. But Rhonda and Patrice… Should I follow them, too, even though I see them every day in the office? I just wanted to follow Lyosha; those two would triple my initial limit. And what if the app recommends even more people to follow? Or recommends my account to others, so they can follow me? Rhonda and Patrice might also get an alert that I have an account.
It’s sad I’m excited over the prospect of making friends online. Am I that starved for friendship and connection? I suppose eight years is a long time to be alone.
Wait… What about Roy? Is he going to get an alert, too? But he might not have an account. Should I check real quick?
Tolyan gently pulls my phone out of my grip. “What’s so interesting that you’ve ignored me since dinner?” he asks.
Have I? I blink, then realize he’s right. “Sorry. I’m debating who and how many people I should follow.” He’s helping me with Roy. He might have an idea as to what a safe number is. We haven’t discussed that. “Do you think it matters?”
“In what way?”
“Having too many followers or something like that could endanger me. You know, expose me to Roy.”
He shrugs. “It makes no difference. I’m going to get him no matter what.”
His tone is firm and confident. It relaxes me, makes me feel safe and protected.
He puts the phone on the table next to the bottled water. “If that’s all…”
“That is—”
Before I can finish, his mouth claims mine. He isn’t especially gentle. His lips ravish me, his tongue plundering.
I clutch him and kiss him back desperately. I want him on my bare skin, but the scoop-neck top and skirt are in the way. I take them off, my fingers clumsy with desire, and toss them on the floor. Now all that’s left are the matching lace bra and thong and the stilettos I haven’t taken off yet. Although I protested at first at Monique’s selection—and the cost—now I’m glad I have sexy underwear. Watching his eyes flare makes it worth it.
He pulls the bra up and scrapes his palm over the nipples. The feel of his hot, callused hand on the sensitive skin sends hot shivers. I whimper, then lick my lips at the sight of his bulging cock pressing against his black slacks.