“He’s not as hostile as he seems. He just puts up a front.” I stepped back against the fence. “Now walk him in a circle.”
“When are we going to go on a long ride?” she asked. “You know, over a trail or something?”
Like always, she wanted to jump ahead. While her excitement was infectious, it was rushed. “Basics first. Then we’ll talk.”
* * *
We had lunch then afternoon sex. She was on top, riding and grinding me better than Carbine. Then she fell asleep in my bed, so I showered and got ready for my plans that evening. I was meeting Carter at my lingerie club.
We hadn’t spoken in weeks.
I put on a dark blue suit and matching tie before I slipped my shiny watch onto my wrist. My shoes had been shined, and the clothing fit me as well as my lingerie fit my models. To most people, a suit was just uncomfortable clothing that squeezed your neck and weighed you down. People didn’t understand it was a non-violent weapon. Intimidation kept people at bay.
When I walked back into my bedroom, Muse was sitting up in bed with the sheets pulled up to her chest. Her hair was messy like before because I’d screwed it up again when I fisted it in my hand.
She looked me up and down. “Where are you going?”
“I’m meeting Carter.”
“Oh.”
I grabbed my phone off the dresser and dropped it into my pocket.
“When will you be back?”
My natural instinct was to tell her it was none of her business. She didn’t have the right to ask me questions, as if my decisions were any of her concern. But I was training myself not to be such an ass. “Later tonight.”
“Can I come along?”
I was going to the lingerie club, where every woman who wanted admission had to be dressed in lingerie. I didn’t want Muse half naked in front of anyone, even if my arm was wrapped around her shoulders. “It’s a business meeting.”
She finally let it go. “Alright.”
I sat on the bed beside her and leaned in to kiss her. A part of me didn’t want to leave her, not after the day we’d spent together. I knew she was still vulnerable after that nightmare. I wanted to fix everything for her, make her feel safe.
“I’d like to sleep with you again tonight…if that’s alright.” She pressed her forehead against mine.
I didn’t want her to get comfortable around me, to expect things from me. But it was still too soon to be a jerk. After making her smile all day, I didn’t want to take that away. I could undo all the work I’d just done with the snap of a finger. “Yes.”
“Okay.”
I kissed her on the forehead before I walked out. I took my Ferrari to Milan and parked it in my building before I walked up the street to the club. I preferred to leave my car in the garage so it wouldn’t get scratches from the idiots who drove shitty cars and didn’t give a damn about mine.
The bouncers held everyone back as I stepped inside, walking into the world I owned. The Barsetti line owned various businesses in different capacities. It was the best way to protect assets, by diversifying into different sectors.
The women stared at me as I passed, recognizing me instantly. Whenever I was there, women always made a pass at me, whether they wanted to spend the night with me or they wanted to convince me to give them a shot on the runway. Pictures of my most famous girls were on the walls, Lacey Lockwood having the largest spotlight.
If Muse were on display, no one would give a damn about Lacey Lockwood.
But Muse was just for me to enjoy.
I found my private booth on the second landing, the place where no one else was allowed to go besides Carter and me.
Carter already had two women to entertain him, one under each arm. They wore black lingerie, their tits popping out and their thongs barely covering anything down below.
I sat across from him and watched the waitress set a glass of scotch in front of me. “Carter.”
One of the women kissed his neck as she pressed her tits into his chest.
“Conway. How’s it going?”
“Good. I can tell you’re having a good evening.” The waitress set a tray in front of me along with a lit cigar. I immediately picked it up and took a drag. I didn’t smoke cigars often, but they were my weakness. They took the edge off in a way booze couldn’t. It was soothing down into my lungs.
“I’m always having a good evening.” He waved the women away. “Give us a minute, ladies.”
Like obedient dogs, they scurried away.
If I said that to Muse, she would give me a glare and not move. The thought made me smile.