5. West
5
WEST
Fuck.
I palm the back of my neck. I know how this looks and how it sounds. Added to that, I’m half dressed and have wet hair because I just stepped out of the shower. I don’t usually shower while I have one of the girls clean my apartment, but I was running short on time and Cherice was vacuuming in the lounge. I’m not attracted to her, nor do I look at her like that, but the look on Audrina’s face says it all. She thinks we slept together.
Her reaction is nothing short of gut wrenching. Putting aside the idea that she must have feelings for me to be this jealous, that isn’t the point. In fact, I want to punch myself in the face for this whole situation. I forgot Cherice was coming over, and I’d offered her the work after hearing she was short on cash over at the club. I was trying to be nice. I had no idea Audrina would run into her or what it would look like if she did. Now I feel like a fool.
I can’t deny though; seeing Audrina a little mad as well as jealous makes my dick hard.
Does she really think I want a twenty-five year old who sleeps with other men at the club? Does she not know I’m not into young chicks? I should have made my intentions known a long time ago; that’s on me. However, now I’ve pissed her off, and she’s nowhere to be seen. Jesus fuckin’ Christ.
I really know how to put my foot in it.
The other day her parting words were: At least my rack looks good, right, Boss ? And frankly, the word good doesn’t even begin to describe her rack. She’s a goddamn angel sent down from Heaven. Seeing her in her bra was the best fuckin’ day of my life. Seeing her cheeks flush as she tried to cover herself up will live in my spank bank forever.
She’s so effortlessly sexy, even with ketchup-soaked stains on her clothes.
I head into the kitchen to check on things. Manny, who’s kindly offered to cover the breakfast shift until I get my main chef back, looks up at me.
“You look like you just got told there’s no Santa Clause, Hot Stuff.”
Am I that transparent? Clearly, I don’t do a very good job of hiding it.
“Just got a lot goin’ on,” I mutter.
He frowns. “Does this have something to do with Audrina?”
I pique a brow; how does he know about that already? I know the women of the club tell him everything, like he’s some kind of Mr. Fix It, but this is ridiculous. “Why would you think that? Did she say something?”
He flips the steak on the grill, giving me a sideways look. “I just saw her rush by, and she looked like she was in a hurry.”
Fuck.
“I, uh, yeah...”
“You know,” he lowers his voice. “Lace installed a dating app on Audrina’s phone.”
What in the actual fuck?
“Why would she do that?”
Manny laughs, flipping the steaks one by one. “Are you really that clueless? She wants to meet someone.”
If you’d thrown a bucket of ice water in my face, I wouldn’t be more surprised than I am right now. “She... she does?”
Manny sighs. “Really, have you seen her lately with her cute little hair cut? Goddamn, she’s a fox. Plus, she was married to Nevada’s douchebag dad for a thousand years, so you know she’s loyal. She’s also funny, smart, and...”
“I know what she is and what she isn’t,” I grit, running both my hands through my hair. “No need to go pointin’ it all out like I’m five years old.”
“Seriously, Hustler, what’s gotten into you today?”
I press both my palms onto the steel metal of the bench and take a breath. There’s only Manny here, so we can talk freely. Not that I want to be dishing the dirt to him, but apparently he’s a very good listener.
“The thing is... Cherice just came down from my apartment.” I wait for the penny to drop, but find myself explaining anyway. “She cleaned for me, and I paid her. I was half undressed from the shower... Audrina misread the situation, and now I’m in the doghouse.”
Manny removes the steaks and starts plating them up to make sandwiches. “Oh, lordy. So now she thinks you fucked Cherice?”
I nod. “Yep.” I pop the ‘p’ and roll my neck side to side, my hands curling into fists. “I think I also made her cry.”
“I don’t believe this,” Manny scolds. “Of course she’s going to be super jealous because you two are so caught up on being just good friends. She needs a man, not a rag mop who doesn’t know how to treat her or give her what she wants.”
I stare at him. “Can I go back in time and get that sugar coated?”
He raises his eyebrows again. “That was sugar coated.”
I palm the back of my neck, totally out of my depth. I’ve been around women my entire life, but I haven’t been in a relationship for a very long time. I somehow let it slip my mind that women are made differently. They’re sensitive. Some of them want the chase; I just didn’t think with Audrina’s divorce being so difficult for her that she wanted that again. I thought she wanted to spread her wings. What a fucking idiot.
“I was just thinkin’ she needed space... that we’d be friends first... that she needed time...” I sound like a dick.
Manny gives me another one of his disapproving looks. “Did you ever think to ask her about that?”
It’s true, even if I don’t want to hear it. I’ve been accused of not listening and miscommunicating before, and you would think I would’ve learned from that. Clearly, I’m an old dog after all. But from now on, I vow I’m going to be a better man.
“I’ve fucked this up.”
“Clearly, but the silver lining is that it’s never too late to grovel and explain rationally what happened upstairs; trust me, if she says she doesn’t care or it’s none of her business, she’s lying. She cares. It looks bad, Hot Stuff , just sayin’.”
I scratch my chin, wanting to crawl into a hole and never come out.
I don’t want to ask, but I feel out of my depth here. I haven’t been on a date in... well, a while. “What should I do?”
Manny dings the bell for the server as he finishes up the garnish on the plates. “You just gotta listen, hear her. Don’t do all the talking or cut her off. Her feelings are valid, and if she feels this strongly, then it means she cares about you, but don’t think that’s weakness; it isn’t. Vulnerable women are the ones we need to protect and serve even more.” His eyes meet mine. “They’re the ones who gave something to someone once before and it broke them. If I were you and I had a woman like Audrina interested in me, I’d be throwing down a red carpet for her to walk on.”
“I’m a fuckin’ idiot. I thought women these days didn’t want all that crap.”
“Hustler, if you wanna make her your queen, you just gotta take the bull by the horns and pull out some of that old-fashioned southern charm,” he says. “It’s really not that difficult.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “You’re a leadin’ expert now on what women want?”
He turns to start the next order. “Nope, but trust me when I say, having a pair of ears that work instead of a mouth that runs will get you further than you think.”
“Anyone ever tell you you’re an annoyin’ son of a bitch?”
He smirks. “Why? Because I’m right?”
“Don’t get too cocky; you’ve gotta please two people in your relationship.”
“Ah, the hardship.” He fans himself and flutters his eyelashes.
I shake my head, turning to go and find Audrina. I mean, I didn’t plan on stalking the women’s restroom today, but when I don’t find her in there, I panic, rushing back to the office. I hear her laughter, then another voice; Luna. I stop before barging in like a wounded bull.
“...It’s really not that bad when you get the hang of it; it’s just keeping up with the receipts; the income will flow through from the point of sale, so that part’s easy.”
It sounds like Luna’s giving her the rundown on the new software Jas installed.
“I just don’t want to mess up,” Audrina says.
“You won’t, honey. Honestly, it can be undone even if something goes wrong, I promise.”
“That makes me feel a little better,” she says. “I could see how swamped West was getting, and I felt bad for him.”
At least she’s back to calling me West again instead of Hustler. For some reason, I like her saying my real name. Coming from the lips of an angel, it sounds sweeter than anything I’ve ever heard. But I’m reminded that she’s mad with me and we’re not okay.
“He’s the damn fool for not reaching out. I’m not a mind reader, neither is Jas.”
“That’s men for you.” I hear the sarcasm in her tone. “I don’t think I’ve met one who thinks with his actual head.”
“Huh. Don’t I know it. Men always think with their dicks and ask questions later.”
My sweet angel laughs. I frown. She usually doesn’t like swearing or dirty talk, but this is ‘girl talk’ so I guess it’s allowed. I’m always very mindful to cut the cursing in front of any woman, not just her, because that’s how I was raised.
I wonder what Audrina would think of my dirty, filthy words whispered in her ear.
I take a breath, steeling myself for the onslaught, then walk back in. Luna’s eyes meet mine, and she smiles. So Audrina hasn’t told her, because Luna would be the first of the ol’ ladies to punch me in the face. She isn’t Tag’s ol’ lady for no reason.
“Hello, Luna,” I say.
“Hi, Hustler, how’s it hanging?”
I blink. “Uh, good... thanks.”
I give a chin lift toward Audrina, whose eyes are glued to the computer screen. She’s completely ignoring me so she doesn’t see.
I need to fix this, but I can’t with Luna sitting there.
“I was gonna help Audrina out this mornin’,” I start, “but it looks like you girls have it all figured out.”
Luna waves her fingers at me. “They don’t call me the office bitch for no reason.”
“Oh, I think Cherice left her phone behind.” Audrina waves a hand at me. “There’s been a cell ringing incessantly behind the door.”
It must’ve fallen out when she ran down the stairs. It isn’t my ringtone, and Audrina knows that. I move toward the door and pull it open; sure enough, her phone is sitting on the bottom step.
“Cherice was here?” Luna frowns.
“Oh, she was definitely here,” Audrina chimes. “ Cleaning West’s apartment; she does house calls now, isn’t that nice?” I don’t know how she manages to make that sound genuine and not full of sarcasm. This woman is commendable. I would have no such restraint if the situation were reversed. Still, I want to explain...
“Oh, she’s cleaning now? I think she wanted some extra money for her trip to San Diego next month,” Luna goes on. “She’s actually pretty good at it, not lazy like some.”
“I’m sure she is,” Audrina mutters.
Before I can say anything, Luna’s phone rings. She looks down at it and groans. “Gotta take it.” She rolls her eyes. “It’s my old man.”
“No problem,” Audrina replies. “I’ll just keep keying in until you get back.”
Luna smiles, taking her leave as I sit down on the edge of the desk, my arms folded across my chest.
“Audrina, will you please look at me?”
She takes a breath, and then her eyes meet mine. It’s only because I know every inch of her face that I can see that she’s been crying. I realize then and there that I never want to do that to her again. If she’d only let me explain... listen, dickhead.
“I’m really busy right now,” she says. “I really want to get on top of this today.”
“I swear to God that I didn’t sleep with her, nor am I interested in anything to do with her in that way other than cleaning my apartment. I got behind, and I was gonna invite you up later, I didn’t want you to think I’m a slob.” I stare at her, unwilling to back down. “I don’t find twenty year olds attractive, Audrina. I find you attractive, and I’m a fuckin’ idiot for not makin’ it clear sooner.”
She swallows hard. “Making what clear?”
“That I should’ve asked you out a long time ago. I thought you weren’t datin’, and I didn’t want to push... and we work together...”
“I... I haven’t been dating.”
Good, let’s keep it that way. “And I stupidly thought it was because you weren’t ready... after everything.” That loser ex-husband who didn’t appreciate you.
“It’s been a long time since I went on a date; things are different now.”
“Not that different.” I shrug.
“Why did she have wet hair?”
My lips twitch. “She came here after the gym, where she’d had a shower.” I put my hand on my heart. “I swear to all that’s holy and mighty that nothin’ happened and nothin’ will ever happen with her or anyone else. I’m not like that. I don’t have to pay women to sleep with me.” Her eyes go slightly round as I lean forward, my voice dipping. “The only woman I’m interested in is you.”
“Ugh, he’s so annoying!” Luna spouts, bursting through the door. “Trust me, Audrina, you’re smart for staying single.”
Audrina tears her gaze away from mine as she sits up a little straighter. “I’m not so sure about that.”
“Huh. Did you just have a gruff Sergeant at Arms breathing heavily down the phone? Ooh, speaking of which, I hate to ask favors...”
Audrina smiles, the angst in her gaze gone as I continue to sit too close to her on the desk.
“Don’t be silly; what do you need?”
“I said I’d help Lucie and Kylie this afternoon with locking up Faux Paws, and I’m double booked. If you can’t do it, it’s fine, I’ll ask?—”
“I’m happy to do it, in fact, I’ve got to swing by the bakery after work and take Eli home, I’m sure he’d love to tag along.”
Eli is Bandit’s kid from the club. Luna and some of the other women and club members are heavily involved with the dog rescue.
Luna beams. “Thank you so much. Lucie will be there until about five, then she has to shoot off to pick up her kids.”
“I’ll be there.”
Just like that, my angel has come to the rescue, but this is what she does. She’s always helping out and putting her mom hat on for the sake of the kids in the club. I haven’t met a more caring or endearing woman in my entire life.
“Mind if I come along?” I ask innocently. “Haven’t had a chance to check things out at the pet rescue since I got here.”
“Of course,” Audrina says. “I’m sure Eli would love to hang out with you.”
“Awww, you two are so cute, a little date at Faux Paws. I think there’s a romance book in there somewhere.” Luna claps her hands together.
“You’re forgettin’ we’d be surrounded by yappin’ dogs and meowin’ cats, which doesn’t sound all that romantic to me.” I’m trying to brush off the date comment because I don’t want Luna blabbing to the others until I can talk to Audrina alone.
Luna smiles to herself, and I know she’s scheming something. “Don’t shatter my hopes and dreams for you two. I have you up in my will they, won’t they bubble, and I’m leaning toward will they, FYI.”
I glance at Audrina, and she’s blushing. I still feel like a dick for making her cry. I’ll make it up to her; come Hell or highwater. I will make it better.
“Did anyone ever tell you that you talk an awful lot?” I go to stand. I need to move and make myself useful instead of sitting here pining for the woman I’m about to pursue.
“Uh-huh, and I jumped his bones. He’s not complaining.” Luna turns back to the computer, and I’m dismissed as they begin chattering about decimal points on the screen as I chuckle.
I turn, and Audrina’s eyes meet mine for a brief second as I leave. I smirk. She has no idea what she’s in for now. While she hasn’t exactly agreed to a date, she did allow me to tag along with her and Eli, so that’s gotta count for something.
I’ve got every intention of showing her that I can be the kind of man she can rely on. I won’t mess her around, and I’ll listen. I just hope to God she doesn’t want too much space because my fingers itch to touch her. Imagining my hands on her perfect little body gives me a thrill that makes my dick rock hard.
I don’t know if I’m forgiven for the whole Cherice thing, but at least she’s not throwing things at my head. I’m not out of the dog house yet, which is kinda amusing since we’re going to the dog house this afternoon. I feel a spring in my step in the hours leading up to spending time with her; even with Eli in tow, that doesn’t matter. Any time with her is like the sun on my skin.
Making it up to her is going to be the highlight of my life. Knowing that she was jealous has left its mark on me.
I want her to be my woman. My ol’ lady. And if it’s Hustler she wants, then it’s Hustler she’ll get. Though I don’t know if she’s really ready for what I want — her in my bed. We’ve spent a year getting to know one another — talking, laughing, being friends — but that’s over now.
A line was drawn, but now those lines are gonna get a whole lot blurry. And I can’t wait.
Now I’m going to step up and sweep this woman off her feet. I’m going to take her to places that she’s never going to want to come down from. I’ll make sure that the only name she’s whispering when we’re done is mine.
She is going to be my queen.