He chuckles. “Definitely not. And Ipaid her for your parents’ portrait already, can’t wait to see if Dad can sit still for that long.”
“Stop being so sweet. And if you could do it, then anyone can.” Ilaugh. “I’m very impressed, Jett. That’s the longest I’ve ever seen you sit, and we’ve been on airplanes together.”
“Well, Igot to have my hand on your tits the whole time, that definitely helped. Finally found a cure for my ADHD. You’re a fucking miracle worker, Mads.” Ishake my head, laughing. “And now that the stressful stuff is out of the way, we don’t have to talk about one damn serious thing our whole dinner, all right?”
“Perfect,” Isay, dreaming of lobster and crab, saké and wasabi, and a never-ending supply of Jett.
Chapter 21
Maddy
The magenta haze of a Malibu sunset is difficult to beat, but when you’re witnessing it on a rather sought after balcony that has been made into a private one just for you, with a man so fine women drop whatever the hell they’re doing in the middle of the day to go stalk him at the drop of a hat, it’s somehow a million times better.
I’ve eaten my weight in sushi rolls when some sort of cake filled with dates and cream covered with Japanese whiskey arrives alongside champagne-filled flutes.
He holds up his glass. “To spending one of many, many insanely perfect days with my girlfriend.”
I choke on air and clink my glass to his.
“What, you don’t like that term, Baby? What would you prefer? My babe? Bae? My boo?”
I take a large sip to calm my throat. “Ack, stop it! Ilike it, Imore than like it. Imean, it’s just a bit jarring to hear it the first time and under these circumstances—”
“Which circumstances are you referring to in particular, darling?” He sips.
“That one where…” Idown my champagne. “I still haven’t seen or touched Keane.”
He snorts into his now-empty flute. “This was our last stop where we’ll be seen by anyone, Baby, so your wish will soon be granted.”
“Thank GOD! So … I’m going to be honest because I’ve had a lot of drinks … and no one we know needs to know this but you.”
“Oh, do tell, angel.”
“I really liked letting you take control of today, to make all my decisions for me. Ididn’t expect it to feel so good. It’s … such a relief.”
Jett bites his lip. “So you’re telling me, all these tall, blonde, knobheads you’ve dated, they madeyoumake all the decisions?”
I blink like Iwas born yesterday. “Yeah…”
“Oh, Baby, oh you poor, poor dear. Would you like me to continue making them for you? Does knowing I’m taking care of everything, deciding everything we’re going to do until your head hits the pillow tonight, how many orgasms you’re going to have and all, make you feel … floaty?”
“Floaty? Floaty and tingly, yeah.”
Orgasms,plural?I'm used to just faking them, so the idea of multiple real ones?Farewell, dry panties.
“Oh shit, Baby.” He grins wickedly. “I thought maybe, when you liked my finger necklace, and being called a good girl. But now I’m sure … you were more meant for me than you can possibly know.”
I feel like passing out, but in the best possible way. “Doesn’t it make me … weak? Weird? Idon’t like being controlled or treated like a child. So why—”
“Baby, earlier you devoured a cake shaped like a serial killing toddler in a pumpkin mask and moaned loud enough to scare the grannies walking past the shop. You’re really concerned about being weird at this point?”
I hate it, but that makes me giggle. “Guess Ishouldn’t be.”
“I’m extremely, extremely attracted to that weirdness. Please don’t change. I’m strange as fuck, and you wouldn’t like me if you were normal and boring. As for being worried about seeming weak, don’t, it’s really the opposite. I’m guessing these pathetic knobs wearing a masculine façade you’ve been with were too stupid or scared of you and your family’s power to figure this out. But women in powerful roles like you, making a thousand different decisions a day, literally wielding a steel sword for the most influential network on telly, in your case … it’s very common for these women to enjoy letting their partner take control when they’re alone together. There’s nothing weird or weak about it; it makes perfect sense. Doesn’t it?”
“Yes,” I sigh.
“Your shoulders just dropped about a foot, darling. You never knew this about yourself because your boyfriends were all saddos?”
