Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
A ubrey
I am sore when I sink into the gorgeous white leather seat of Brick’s private jet for our trip to Monaco. I spent the past two weeks exploring the darker side of sex with Billy.
Spanking. Bondage. Rough handling.
I love the way his cool control slips when he gets passionate. The way he tries to keep it all together then combusts. I suspect he hates it, which makes it even better. Like I’ve gotten under his skin. Like I’ve won.
We’re not in a relationship–that is plain. He tells me nothing personal. He never talks about business or pleasure. It’s just verbal sparring and searing interludes.
Which is fine by me–he’s not the kind of guy I’d ever date.
Still, he’s growing on me.
On the night of the Sentience gala, my landlord was waiting outside my apartment when I got home.
I guess Pepper was crying for me, so the jig was up over having a pet in the building.
I was afraid I was going to lose the apartment, but Billy smoothly handled it, claiming the dog was his, and apologizing with a fat wad of cash that made the whole problem go away.
The same way he made the videotape of me in the server room go away. Jamie says she has everything she needs now. She’s busy compiling documents that can be used for a full class-action lawsuit.
After that night, Pepper slept at Billy’s house.
So yeah. We may not be in a relationship, but apparently, we’re sharing a dog. And fucking like rabbits.
An attendant walks through the jet handing out champagne glasses filled with prosecco.
“Let’s get this party started!” I turn on the portable Bose speaker I brought and play Billy Idol’s “White Wedding” to get us in the mood.
Billy gives me a long-suffering look, and I smirk.
I lift my upper lip in my best Billy Idol snarl and sing along. For a moment, I think Madi’s going to let me make a fool of myself alone, but then she joins in, lifting her fist in the air with her own version of the song.
I’ve never been on a private jet. Or hung out with Brick and his buddies, other than at the engagement party. This is really not my kind of scene. They’re all billionaires, and apparently Nickel is some sort of duke. Or about to become one via an arranged marriage. It’s wild.
I down my glass of prosecco, trying to relax and enjoy the experience, and stop wondering how much this trip is adding to my carbon footprint.
As if he reads my mind, Billy leans in. “This jet is electric. No emissions.”
I gasp. “Really?” I peek out the window at the wing as if I’ll be able to tell the difference between a gas and electric engine.
“Yep, prototype,” Brick says. He and Madi sit across from me. Billy somehow ended up beside me. We look like we’re on a double date, again.
“That’s awesome,” I say. “Billy was telling me about battery technology the other day.”
“Was this at All Night?” Madi asks. She knows Billy met me at the club the night she stood me up.
But I haven’t gotten the chance to tell her about how we’ve been hooking up since then.
We’re overdue for a girl chat. “Actually, it was at the gala. Billy was my ride.” My date, really, although I don’t know if we want to label it like that.
Madi blinks. “I didn’t know you went to that, Billy. How was it?”
Billy and I share a look, silently agreeing that we’re not going to share how we broke into a server room and almost got caught.
“Good,” we say in unison.
Madi stares at us, taking in our newfound camaraderie. Brick looks amused.
“How is the team at Sentience?” Brick asks.
“Bunch of blowhards,” Billy answers. “Their tech isn’t as impressive as they think it is, but these days, angel investors throw money at any mention of AI. Also, their security is shit.”
Brick nods. He’s got Madi’s hand cradled between both of his. Every so often, he raises it and kisses it as if he can’t stand to be physically separated from her.
It’s a lot of PDA, but it’s kind of sweet. I’m glad my friend has found a man who worships her like she deserves.
I’m also glad that Billy isn’t hanging on me like that although he does seem to be sticking close to my side.
We’re not in a relationship, but we are hooking up, and he’s made it clear that he doesn’t want anyone else touching me.
I thought it was just in the heat of the moment, but I’ve caught him glaring at the other business bros on the plane as if warning them off.
His possessiveness should be off-putting, but I kinda like it.
I have no interest in fucking any of his friends.
Madi’s younger brother Brayden couldn’t get away to join us because he was in finals at NYU.
It’s my last semester at City College, and I only have two classes this term, so taking a few days off won’t kill me.
Brick’s buddies are all here, minus Eagle, Ruby’s husband.
He and Ruby are meeting us over there with Scarlett, Brick’s youngest sister who goes to college somewhere in Europe.
Other than the pilot, Madi and I are the only women on this plane.
But the other Moon Co guys have been carefully polite to both Madi and me.
I’m not sure if they’ll relax enough to let their hair down in front of me, but it’ll be fun to find out.
“I’m glad you guys had fun.” Madi tilts her head at me, obviously wanting more of the story about the gala, knowing that I won’t spill the beans until it’s just the two of us in private. “And I’m grateful for the work you both put in planning this whole trip. We need to catch up.”
“We do,” I say. “I need to tell you all about how Billy and I are co-parenting a puppy.”
Madi’s mouth drops open. “You…and Billy? Co-parenting a puppy?”
Brick frowns like he can’t believe it.
“Yup.” I pop the “p.” I can feel Billy grumbling next to me.
“I knew you were harboring a dog,” Jake accuses him.
“It’s not mine,” Billy protests. It’s too easy to rib him. “We’re not co-parenting. Aubrey just brings the dog over when she paints.”
“You’re the one buying all the stuff for Pepper.”
“You charged it to my credit card!”
“That was just food and a bed and puppy pads. You’re the one buying the toys.” I’m aware that we’re bickering like an old married couple in front of everyone, and I’m enjoying every second. “Every time I come over, there’s another ten toys for him. Soon you won’t be able to see your floor.”
Billy denies this.
“I have proof.” I hold up my phone. My screen saver is Billy cuddling Pepper close. I snapped the picture when he wasn’t paying attention. The affection on his face as he looks at the little dog is apparent.
“Who has the puppy while we’re gone?” Madi asks.
“Billy’s assistant took him.” I met Annabeth–a gorgeous redhead who stopped by the penthouse to pick up Pepper–and I developed an instant irrational jealousy of her. But Pepper took to her instantly, so at least I know he’s in good hands.
“Awww, look at that little guy,” says Jake. He and the white guy sitting next to him–his name is Vance, I think–explode in laughter, jeering at Billy. I feel a little bit of regret that I showed them such a tender moment. I like seeing Billy with his guard down. It’s so rare.
But he can hold his own. “Pepper is smart. I’ve already got him trained.
If you’re not careful, I’ll train him to do your job.
” He wads up his napkin and throws it at Vance’s head.
Vance catches it and lobs it to the back of the plane, where Sully is sitting.
He catches it without even looking up from his phone.
“Okay, Doggie Daddy, we got it,” Jake says.
Billy raises his hands and makes several emphatic gestures. I’ve seen Madi signing enough to know he’s speaking ASL.
I didn’t know Billy knew sign language. Even more surprising, is that Jake and Nickel seem to know it too. They both start signing back.
Madi laughs.
“Wait, what is he saying?”
“He’s insulting their parentage.” Madi grins. “And everything about them, really.”
Now Vance is trying to get in on the signing, but he doesn’t seem to know much of the language. Instead, he uses both hands to give everyone the middle finger. Madi and I both crack up.
“When did you all learn to sign?” Madi asks, delighted.
“We’ve been taking lessons ever since Noah moved to the executive floor,” Billy tells her. “Couldn’t have you outshine us all with your skills.”
“Noah’s an executive? That’s awesome,” Madi says. “He was always my favorite co-worker at Moon Co.”
Brick clears his throat, and she gives him a small smile. “Except for you,” she clarifies.
“In training,” Billy says. “He’s got a ways to go. But I think we should get him into our club. He’s paid his dues, he deserves membership.”
What club? Athletic club? Social club? What, are they all Masons? I feel like they’re speaking about more than just a membership.
“We’ll talk about that later. This weekend is for relaxing and fun,” Brick says, and everyone settles into their seats as if his word is law.
“And practicing for our big Queen number,” I say. “Brick, Madi volunteered you as Freddy Mercury.”
He glances at her for confirmation, and she nods, her eyes twinkling. “Oh yes. I got an all white outfit like the one he wore at Live Aid. You’re going to look amazing.”
Brick’s brows draw together in alarm, and Madi and I crack up all over again.
He relaxes. “That was a joke, wasn’t it?”
“Yep.”
“You should’ve seen your face,” Madi crows. He shakes his head and lifts her hand to his lips and kisses it.
Billy and I make eye contact. I roll my eyes, and he smirks.