AllFreeNovel
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I did my makeup next. When I go out, I like to pile on the eye makeup, but in an attempt to look professional I kept it understated. More than I would wear at work, but less than I would wear to a club. Enough eyeshadow to make my hazel eyes brighter, enough blush to make me slightly less pale, and clear lip gloss that I’d apply later.
My wardrobe, however, was a different scenario. I didn’t own anything designer, and hardly anything professional enough to match Dom’s attire. Penny probably did, and I could call her to ask, but she’d then grill me as to why I was going to an open house with Dom and I wasn’t sure I really understood the answer to that question myself. Against my better judgment, I snuck into Carter and Penelope’s bedroom and scoured her closet for something to wear. I could return it later, and if I ruined her clothes, I could always beg for forgiveness.
I found a pair of beige slacks that would normally be too large for me, since Penny was significantly curvier than my string-bean body. But in the six months since moving to L.A. (likely due to my constant take-out habit, or my obsession with Oreos) I gained a few pounds. Which meant that her slacks fit perfectly, and I had just enough of an ass to fill them out. I grabbed a plain black turtleneck from my own closet that accented every one of my few curves, without showing any cleavage. I stole a pair of black heels from Penelope’s closet too. I finished with simple gold jewelry just as Dom texted me again.
Wanna send a picture of what you’re wearing?You know, so I can approve. ;)
And give you something to add to the spank bank?
I’m good.
I stared blankly at the wall for the next twenty minutes as I waited for him to arrive. He was so casual yesterday after I had literally come on his face. I wasn’t sure how he was going to act now. My plan was to pretend it never happened. I hoped he would too.
I heard a rasp of knuckles on the other side of the door and I grabbed my purse before throwing it open and being greeted by a pair of smokey eyes. His gaze dragged from my feet to my face and back down again. “Not spank bank material,” was all he said. To my frown he added, “The outfit. I don’t want my mind on work while I’m…” He smirked.
I shoved him back out of the doorway and passed him, making my way down the hall.
“You look perfect, Mace,” he said as he opened the passenger side of his Audi. I slid in, and just as he closed the door, he added, “And your ass looks fucking great in those pants. Makes me remember what it feels like in my hands.”
My breath hitched, but he only gave me a sly smile before walking around the driver's side. I hid my blush as he slipped inside, but he pretended he hadn’t said anything at all.
This man likes to play games.
As he drove up away from the beaches and toward the hills, I asked him questions about the prospective buyers and the types of people I could expect to meet, making an attempt at keeping the conversation from leading anywhere between my legs. He said he didn’t know for sure. Since it’s an open house anyone could show up, but with the multi-million dollar price tag, I could expect to speak to some successful people. I explained that my career isn’t just about money. He shrugged and told me that sometimes it is. Sometimes we work a job we’re not passionate about to make enough money to fuel the things we are.
“Are you telling me you’re not passionate about real estate?”
He laughed. “Actually, I am. I love it. But I’m also passionate about surfing, and traveling. I also like…” He paused, huffing. “Theme parks.”
I snorted. “Theme parks?”
“I knew you’d make fun of me as soon as I said that.” He glanced at me. “But, yeah. I love rollercoasters. I’m unashamed to say I’m a total Disney adult.” I laughed at that, and noted the smile that tugged at his mouth. “My point is, that kind of shit costs money. I enjoy my job enough, but it’s not my whole life. It gives me the money I need to live a fulfilling life outside of work.”
I nodded. “Yeah, but you’re not spending the holidays with your family because you have to work. So, in this case, isn’t your job taking away from the rest of your life?”
“I volunteered to be on call so the rest of my team could be off. Work isn’t the reason I’m not going to visit my family.”
His voice was rough enough that I didn’t push it. Instead I said, “I like roller coasters too. Anything that gives an adrenaline rush.”
He smiled at me in a way that seemed almost grateful. Grateful that I wasn’t pushing things. Or grateful that we had common interests. I wasn’t sure. “Have you ever been to Disneyland at Christmas?”
I nodded. “When I was younger.” I added, “But I won’t lie to you, I’m not a Disney adult. I have no interest in taking pictures with people in costumes, and the life-size animated characters scare the shit out of me. I’d literally rather electrocute myself than do the whole matching-shirts thing with someone. I think Disney proposals are repulsive–”
His laugh had me halting. “So, you’re more of a thrill ride kind of person? Not a theme-park-ambiance kind of person?”
“Yeah, I guess so. I’ll spin, I’ll go upside down, the higher the drop the better, but keep me the fuck away from people in animal costumes.”
“I’ll have to keep that in mind.” He tossed me a shit-eating grin.
We arrived at a Brentwood address that led us up a winding driveway to a contemporary, white stone house. Just as modern inside as it was out, the house was paneled with windows giving views of the expansive backyard pool, and the sweeping valleys behind it.
“Shit. Do all the houses you sell look like this?”
Dom’s laugh echoed throughout the silent house. It was fully furnished and immaculately decorated inside. “Starting to. I was a grunt for years, though. It took me a while to prove myself, but now that I have I’m beginning to get more opportunities like this.”
“How’d you get into real estate?”
I followed him throughout the foyer as he checked light switches and ran his hand down the furniture to check for dust, until we found ourselves in the kitchen. “My dad did real estate for most of my childhood before my parents retired to Arizona a couple of years ago. I worked for him right out of high school back home. When I decided to move down here, my dad got me an internship with his friend, Russell, who owns the agency I work for now. I’ve been working my way up ever since.” I nodded as I paced through the kitchen, admiring the modern appliances and gleaming counters. “Feel free to look around while I get things ready. Once the open house starts you can greet people as they come inside and introduce yourself. Let them know they can find me if they have any questions. Make lots of comments about how beautiful the home is. Familiarize yourself with the space and pick a few key points you like best, then make references to them. Just… schmooze.”
