12. Cole
COLE
Jenny was sleeping when I woke up and staggered into the shower. My limbs were loose, my thoughts lazy and slow.
The escort had literally rocked my world.
And I didn’t mean just the sex, although that was certainly part of it. I was extremely attracted to her. Our sex had been explosive, natural, and instinctual. Somehow, Jenny knew just how to touch me.
Maybe that’s because she’s an escort, dumbass.
Maybe. Probably. And yet, it seemed more like we were actually connecting. Physically and on another level. Jenny made me laugh. When we’d gone to Alfonso’s, she’d cracked me up with her reaction to the octopus. She was genuine, and it was a breath of fresh air.
Everyone I dated was calculating—making sure they said the right thing at the right time. But Jenny wasn’t like that. She said what she thought, and although I’m sure she probably came from a tough background, she didn’t seem ashamed of herself. She wasn’t putting on airs or pretending to be someone she wasn’t—well, except for the fact that she was pretending to work with underprivileged kids and faking that she was my girlfriend. Still, there was something about her. Something special, a spark that I hadn’t encountered before.
Easy, bro, I chided myself. She’s your hired date. You don’t have to get sloppy over this girl.
I wouldn’t get too attached to her—I knew better than that. She was Ms. Right for Right Now, and I was thrilled that James had given me her name. These were going to be the best two weeksever.
My phone pinged while I was in the shower. There were several texts from my father’s assistant, Kevin. My old man wasn’t great with technology, so he often barked at poor Kevin to do his dirty work, dictating nasty messages at all hours.
Your Father wanted me to send you these messages. My (standing) apologies. - Kevin
Why haven’t you called Ramos? I’m still waiting on these damn approvals!
No more excuses. So tired of your BS.
Fuck, I’d forgotten about his demand.
Tell him I got tied up with something at work. I’ll call him this afternoon.
I glared at my phone, wanting to throw it into the toilet, or better yet, out the window and into the harbor below. All my father cared about was business. I didn’t even know why anymore—he already had all the money in the world. I wasn’t sure why I even bothered thinking about the why; he was a lost cause, bitter and angry ever since my mother died when I was a kid.
Ever since I was little, he’d made it clear that he resented raising me alone. He was angry all the time—angry at life, angry at me, maybe even angry at my mom for daring to get cancer and leave us. Anyone else would’ve remarried, moved on, and tried to salvage what remained of his life. But my father wasn’t anyone else. He channeled his rage into his business, as if throwing more money onto his pile of billions would somehow make everything—or anything—better. He sometimes also channeled his rage at me, the son who failed to mention his father in his Forty Under Forty article, along with various other grievances.
I didn’t call Ramos. Instead, I wrapped a towel around my waist and headed back to the bedroom. We had to get ready to meet James and Audrey for drinks, but I needed something first.
Something to take my mind off things.
Jenny was awake, curled onto her side, staring out the window at the view. She was so pretty, it almost hurt to look at her. Her dirty blond curls tumbled over the bed. Her face, round, smooth, and open, was relaxed as she watched the harbor. Her lips were full and pillowy, just begging to be kissed. I dropped my towel and climbed into bed next to her, snuggling against her warm skin. She smelled like me and also like her coconut body spray. “I’m very partial to coconuts, you know.”
“Yeah?” She laughed and played with my hair, still staring out the window. “That’s good, because you know I love my spray.”
“What’re you looking at, huh? The harbor?”
Jenny nodded. “It’s a real pretty view, Cole. Real pretty.”
“I know.” I contentedly sighed as she played with my hair. It was such a relief to be with someone that I could bemyselfwith. Jenny didn’t have any expectations of me. I’d hired her as my date. That made it simple. I could be myself and not worry about anything. Usually, the women I dated all wanted something from me—an engagement ring, a fancy dinner, a connection, being included in some stupid social media post. But Jenny and I were simple. We were a transaction, and that made it easy to navigate. I was good at deals. People—women, in particular—were much more complicated.
But not Jenny. Hanging out with her was relaxing, a far cry from how I usually felt with women after I slept with them. I was always ready to leave—or rather, to kick them out. But I was positively gleeful that Jenny would be in my bed for the next two weeks.
I stretched out, relishing the feel of her bare skin against mine.
She skimmed her hands down my chest, absentmindedly running her fingers over my muscles. The touch of her skin against mine was electric. It started getting hot again. My cock stirred, rising to attention, and I groaned. “You might have to stop touching me. We’ll never make it to drinks.”
“Aw, Cole,” she teased, hands roaming lower, “you worried about time? We can do it quick, real quick. That’s why they call it a ‘quickie’!”
She laughed, and I rolled on top of her, all thoughts of my father’s texts slipping away. Instead, I put my mouth on Jenny’s, tasting her delicious tongue, running my hands down her smooth, smooth skin. I inhaled deeply, the heady smell of coconuts engulfing my senses.
We couldn’t literally have sex every five minutes for the next two weeks…could we?
Jenny ran her nails down my back to my ass, which she cupped as she positioned me next to her sex. Heat surged through me, making my whole body tingle, embers catching fire. I wanted her. Again. I wanted to make her come. Again. When was the last time I truly gave a fuck about somebody’s orgasm other than my own?
Never , said the voice in my head. I ignored it, even though it was right.
I palmed her sex as I readied her for me. She was wet again, so wet. It made my heart swell with pride.
“Right there, baby,” she cooed, bucking against my hand. “I like that.”
I kept rubbing her clit as I notched myself inside her again. Jenny sighed with either pleasure or happiness, I couldn’t tell. I didn’t know anything other than the fact that we were together again, in bed, naked, and it was the best thingever.
So…Couldwe have sex every five minutes for the next two weeks?
It seemed I was about to find out.
Jenny asked me to pick out a dress for the event while she showered. I looked through the clothes she’d packed, but none of them were pretty enough. Some of them were nice, even with designer labels. But none of them were quite right. Jenny deserved the best.
I called Shirley, and God bless her, she picked up on the first ring. “Drop whatever it is you’re doing. I have a code-red assignment for you.”
“I’m organizing the office for the Forbes photo shoot!” Shirley sounded out of breath. “I thought that was code red!”
“This is code-red-red.” I chuckled. “I need you to go to Saks ASAP. I need a sexy black dress, size six, preferably Givenchy. My date will look good in Givenchy.”
“Date? Date ?”
I couldn’t see Shirley, but I pictured her clapping a hand over her heart.
“That’s right.” I grinned. “Her name’s Jenny, and she’s wicked nice. So get her a great dress, okay? I want her to feel comfortable at this party tonight.”
“Yes, Mr. Bryson! Right away!”
I felt like Santa Claus by the time I hung up the phone. I’d made Shirley happy; I was going to make Jenny happy. Then I remembered that I had another call to make, and I started feeling like The Grinch instead.
“Hey, Ramos. It’s Cole Bryson.”
“I know who it is! You’re in my contacts list,” Ramos said easily. “What’s up?”
“I need a favor.”
He sighed. “Is this about your old man? He’s been a nightmare. He’s trying to buy me off so I’ll give him approvals for his project.”
“First, he tries to buy you off,” I explained, “then he tries to ruin you. So here’s what I’m thinking…” We talked for a few minutes about another deal we’d been working on, and I agreed to a few concessions if he would consider taking another look at my father’s approvals.
I didn’t buy Ramos off, and I didn’t do anything shady concerning my business. I negotiated. And he agreed to take another look, with no promises that my father would win the approvals. This wouldn’t satisfy my father, but it satisfied me that I’d held up my part of the bargain. The rest was up to him.
Jenny took forever in the shower and then blow-drying her hair. I could hear her singing an old Whitney Houston song. She continued to belt it out as she dried her curls. Adorable .
When was the last time I found anyone or anything adorable ?
Never. I don’t think I’d ever used the word.
Like most things of a remotely emotional nature, I decided not to think about it. Instead, I got busy reviewing some work while she dried her hair. I put my feet up, feeling more relaxed than I had in years. I read some proposals, enjoying myself. It was pleasant, sitting in my penthouse, working, while the sound of the blow-dryer blared from the bathroom, almost drowning out Jenny’s tone-deaf singing. It was nice to have her here. I chuckled to myself. Jenny gives good relaxation! She was worth every penny and more.
I’d almost finished with the proposals when the intercom buzzed. “I have Shirley here,” Amari said. “Shall I send her up?”
“Yes, please.”
Shirley was red-faced and out of breath by the time she burst through the door.
I rose, setting my work aside. “That was fast.”
“I know—you said it was code-red- red . So I got here as fast as I could.” She triumphantly held up a garment bag. “And I got the mostgorgeousdress.”
“Cole!” Jenny hollered from the bathroom. “How the heck do I clip this dryer to the thingy on the wall? This is too high-tech for me!”
“Don’t worry about it!” I called back.
Shirley’s eyes were wide with excitement. “Your date’s here ?”
Shirley was the best, but she was also as nosy as the Windsor sisters. “Yes, but she’s busy getting ready. Can I take that?” I motioned for the garment bag.
“I can’t figure that dang thing out!” Jenny burst into the room, wearing one of my white T-shirts and nothing else. “Oh, hey! Sorry, I didn’t realize Cole had a guest. I’m Jenny.” Unabashed, she came over to us and smiled at Shirley.
“I’m Shirley.” My assistant grinned from ear to ear. “Mr. Bryson’s assistant.”
“Ah, so that’s how he stays so organized, huh?” Jenny playfully swatted me on the ass, and I felt my cheeks start to burn.
Shirley’s smile grew impossibly wider. “I can’t take all the credit. Mr. Bryson stays on top of things.”
“He sure does!” Jenny joked, then honked with laughter.
I guess I wasn’t the only one who felt relaxed.
“It is so wonderful to meet you, Jenny. You have no idea.” Shirley finally handed me the garment bag. “I’m so happy that Mr. Bryson has a nice date to bring to the event tonight.”
“Aw, thanks, Shirley.” Jenny smiled, pleased, then looked questionably at the bag when I handed it to her. “What’s this?”
“It’s a dress for tonight,” I explained. “I had Shirley pick it out.”
“You got me a dress?” Jenny’s eyes got big in her face. “Thank you, Coley. And thank you, Shirley!”
“You should go see if it fits.” I was ready to get Jenny and Shirley away from each other before there were more ass-slapping, “Coleys,” or questions.
“I’ll do it right now. Shirley, wanna help me? I suck at zippers.”
“Oh, I’d love to!” Shirley was practically trembling with excitement as she followed Jenny into my bedroom.
The fuck?
They disappeared together, and I heard the two of them talking and laughing. There was a lot of “Oh my Gods” and “That body!” Shirley was obviously taken with Jenny. I couldn’t believe my assistant was in my bedroom with my escort. FFS, I hadn’t planned on this.
“Ta-da!” Shirley burst out of the room, and Jenny shyly walked out behind her. She was stunning in the simple black dress with a plunging neckline that showed off her incredible curves. Although the dress was unembellished and black, it was couture. Jenny looked like a million bucks in it.
Scratch that—a billion.
“You look lovely,” I said. For some reason, my heart hurt a little.
“Doesn’t she?” Shirley clapped her hands together. “She’s the prettiest girl in the whole world!”
Jenny nudged her. “Don’t be silly.”
“Oh honey, I mean it.” Shirley smiled at her, then turned to me. “I should probably get going. That Forbes shoot is first thing in the morning!”
“Thank you, Shirley.” I was relieved she was leaving, but I was grateful to her.
“Yeah, thanks, Shirley. I really love this dress—it’s the nicest thing I’ve ever worn.” Jenny’s voice was tinged with emotion.
Shirley smiled at her again. “It looks great on you, hon. Have fun, you two.”
Shirley let herself out. Before I even heard the elevator, my phone pinged with a text from her.
It was a row of thumbs-up emojis.
I just shook my head, then laughed.