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“He was falling short somewhere, and I’m guessing I know where.”
I blinked, remembering the time I’d spent with Jake. Sex was amazing. Amazingly average in that I needed to use my vibrator to get off with him. Love? Who knows? I thought we were heading that way, but now I wasn’t so sure.
As for presents, he gave me a few, but I could always buy my own.
“Respect.”
“How…”
He squeezed my hip and pulled me closer. “How ‘bout I help you get the man of your dreams, mold him into what you need him to be, and in return…”
“No,” I said flat out. I was not going to be the other woman.
He looked at me, perplexed, then grinned.
“No, I won’t be the other woman in your love triangle.”
“And in return, you be my ear. My confidant in this surging shit-storm of my life right now.”
“You just want to talk to me?”
“Yes, most days, in person or on the phone.”
“And you think we’ll be able to keep our hands off each other?”
“We have to,” he said, releasing his grasp over my hip.
“I owe it to Francesca to try, and you owe it to yourself to try to have the relationship you deserve, Pepper. Because you are special. Jake knows it, and I know it.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but words didn’t come out.
“And if he’s your guy, I want to help in your relationship.”
“What makes you think I’d take advice from you about relationships? You’re the king of bedding women… you, Barrett, Ari, and Magnus are a force to be reckoned with.”
“The hunkholes, right? I heard that’s the name you coined.” The way he laughed sent a shiver up my spine. “I know women intimately. As for relationships, I learned what not to do by watching Mom and Alfred together.”
I knew his parents had been having problems lately. Lourde had mentioned it, but I hadn’t known it was that bad.
I contemplated his idea while his gaze remained glued to mine.
Dammit. I hated when he was right. The truth was, I could use his help if I wanted Jake and me to work out. But there was also the other truth, the one I tried to bury—I wasn’t ready to part with him yet—his body or his words.
11
Connor
Ihandled the media pack with ease. I answered the questions they fired at me truthfully, giving each of them a thoughtful and honest answer.
What would I bring to the table?
Can you measure up to the success?
What kind of legacy will you leave?
Will we see any drunken pictures of you again?
That last question was an intentional attempt to rattle me.Nice try, asshole.
