Page 20 of Miss Typed

“Aside from the money, what’s the real reason you didn’t want to go home?” he finally asked.

My defenses automatically went up. I didn’t want to expose my family secrets. “What happened to nothing personal?”

He shrugged. “We passed that point when I brought you bacon and beer.”

I feigned shock, unable to resist teasing him. “You mean you didn’t do this with your last two assistants?”

He smirked. “They weren’t fans of pork.”

Of course, I’d heard the rumors that he’d made his last two assistants cry. “I bet.”

I realized the man would wait me out. Trying a different technique, I stalled. “You go first. Why didn’t you go home?”

At first, I thought he wouldn’t answer me, but finally he spoke. “I no longer fit into my family’s world.”

“And Miranda?” Color me too curious to resist asking about his ex.

“She and I haven’t been together since we graduated college and I left for the military. But she has this fantasy reel in her head about me coming home injured and that changing things. Frankly, she’s more caught up in the idea of my family’s money and social circles than she ever was in me.” He turned red at the last statement as if he hadn’t meant to reveal so much.

Yet I found myself absorbing it all, grateful for any crumb that explained more about him.

Now it was my turn. It was uncomfortable to share my reasons, considering his family had money, and mine was fighting to keep the heat on. But I tried to be as honest as possible without getting into all of the details. “I have two younger sisters and a mom who rely on money I send home.” I left my brother out since I no longer considered him family.

“And your father?”

“Passed away almost ten years ago. If I’d traveled home, it would’ve been hard to explain.”

Luckily, he understood without me having to spell it out. “It would’ve come across like an extravagant expense to travel home when you’re trying to save every penny for them.”

Ding ding. “Yes. But this is better than a plane ticket.” I meant it. Never had someone given me such a thoughtful gift.

“Why do you need to send them money?”

“My mom needs the extra help.” I could tell he wasn’t pleased with the less-than-detailed answer, but too bad. If his ex-girlfriend had wanted him for his money, then I wasn’t about to unload how desperate I was for cash.

“Can I get you another beer?” As I got up, I realized I probably should’ve offered him a glass.

“No, you should enjoy the remainder. What are you plans for tonight?”

“I’m FaceTiming my family and staying in.”

The lie tasted bitter on my tongue. But if he knew I’d be stripping, it would turn more than his ears pink.

Chapter Eight

Aiden

Chloe’s hesitation in telling me about her Christmas Day plans was noticeable, but perhaps she worried I’d want to spend more time with her. Not for the first time, I wondered if I’d crossed a line in coming here today. However, I couldn’t say I regretted it. I’d needed to apologize properly. It had been an unexpected treat to be able to sit here and enjoy her company over lunch.

“Glad you’re able to talk to your family,” I finally responded.

Her comments about them had me curious. I’d done some research on her during the last twenty-four hours and knew she’d failed to mention her older brother. Then again, everyone seemed to have a family dynamic in which certain loved ones weren’t discussed. Perhaps the two of them had experienced a falling out.

Her mention of FaceTime served as a reminder that I needed to call my own parents. Conversation wasn’t easy for me, but my mother was always content to prattle on. My father would talk about the weather and how the Patriots were playing. Then, inevitably, they’d both make their passive-aggressive comments about me not being home for the holidays. Nevertheless, I’d feel worse if I skipped the call. “I should go.”

She looked somewhat disappointed but then perked up, practically jumping out of her seat. She was wearing shorts which straddled the line between decent and cold-shower-worthy, showing off tanned, toned legs. I tried in vain not to imagine what they’d feel like wrapped around my waist while I pounded deep inside of her. I blamed her braless greeting which had displayed perfect tits in a tank top and allowed a glimpse of her flat stomach. From the moment I’d stepped inside, I’d been fighting an erection. In order to distract myself from watching her, I’d opted to fry up the bacon.

“I almost forgot I baked cookies. You should take some with you. Every year I used to make them with my mom and sisters, so I thought I’d bake some here. They’re nothing fancy, just sugar, but I did ice them which makes them—”