Chapter 12
CHAPTER
TWELVE
Payden
Screwing in Jas’s office was one thing, fucking on his bar was another, but soaking in his tub while he sponges me down is something else entirely. How did I get into this predicament?
Well, he ran the tub, made me a cup of tea, and then asked if I’d like to soak.
He slid in first, and I can’t deny it, the prospect was heavily enticing.
This big, broody biker in the tub. His tattooed body on display with a look on his face that promised more of what we’d just done.
My poor vagina. Seriously, this man knows how to move.
And if I were in any kind of slump, that is well and truly over now.
We’re not a thing. We both agreed on it. So this is fine. It’s intimate, yes, but exclusivity and, well, one cupcake at a time. I could slap myself silly.
Am I really going to agree to this? Then again, why wouldn’t I? It’s the perfect scenario.
No commitment. No drama. Just two adults making decisions. This can work.
Until he says, “So, how come you don’t have a boyfriend?”
I sigh. “That insinuates there’s something wrong with me.”
“Not at all. Just wondered. You the ball-bustin’, career-driven type?”
“So what if I am? Can’t a woman be driven without ball busting?”
“I guess they can.”
“You guess?”
He chuckles and strangely, I like it. “Of course they can. Surely there are men chasin’ you all over New Orleans.”
“I wouldn’t say that, but I’m no saint. I just don’t mix work with pleasure,” I say.
“So you don’t fuck your colleages?”
“Nope.” I pop the P.
“And you’re tellin’ me this, why? Someone interested?"
“One of my colleagues, but that’s old news. And he’s a giant douchebag. I’m single because I’ve chosen to focus on my career for the short term. I’ve worked really hard to earn my place in the firm, and men complicate things.”
“So, you’ve had relationships?”
Wow. Someone’s chatty tonight. More to the point, why is he asking?
“Yes, of course I have, but none of them worked out. My last relationship was a few years back. He was coming on too heavy, and our schedules just didn’t align.”
“How long did you date him?”
“Two years.”
He chuckles again. “Two years? Did you live together?”
“So many questions,” I sigh. “No we didn’t. I was reluctant to give up my apartment, and that’s probably a good thing because of how things ended. Then where would I be? My ex couldn’t give me the time I deserved, so I ended it. Any more questions?”
His voice is low when he says, “I know so little about you.”
I swallow, surprised by his admission. “I know so little about you, too.”
“Not much to tell.”
“Have you had any serious girlfriends?”
“One or two, but not for a long time. Like you said, it complicates things.”
“When they get too clingy?”
“Somethin’ like that.”
I yawn, tiredness settling in. Dozer is down on the floor, lying on top of the bath mat. He was excited to see us both and I spent at least five minutes just stroking him and telling him what a good boy he was.
“So now you’re just used to living like a bachelor?”
“Could say the same about you.”
“Oh, no,” I laugh. “You’d call me a spinster. I’m also stuck up and spoiled. I’m frigid, too, and focus more on my career than finding a husband.”
“If you put that on your Tinder profile, I can see why you’re single.”
I try to elbow him in the ribs but he deflects. “The real truth is, I don’t want to waste my time on relationships where I don’t gel with the person. There’s no point. You either have a connection or you don’t.”
“I agree.”
I’m as surprised by his admission as I am by his chattiness. Logan has never spoken this much to me in the entire time I’ve known him.
“And this isn’t complicated?” I gesture between us.
“Nope, because like you said, we’re not a thing.”
“We’re not a thing but we’re an exclusive not-a-thing? Sounds a little complex already.”
“Don’t you go runnin’ away, I know where you work, live and hang out.”
I smile to myself. I don’t know why I like that idea so much. “So you like me hanging around?”
“Let’s just say I like that you came into the bar that night.”
“The sex is really amazing.” I yawn again. “Sorry, long day.”
“I should put you to bed.”
“Logan, you heard what I said about sleepovers.”
“Quit your whinin’. Doesn’t mean it’s a thing, just means you’re tired and I have a bed.”
“Yes, and in that bed we have a lot of sex, hence the reason I didn’t get any sleep last time.”
“So now you’re complainin’ about too much sex?”
I roll my eyes, secretly doing cartwheels that he doesn't want me to leave. “No, I’m saying you give off mixed messages.”
“Look, I didn’t wanna come on too strong. You made it pretty clear about that whole gettin’ involved thing the first time. You instigated it, remember?”
“And I regret nothing,” I say, not feeling one bit ashamed of myself.
“Snobby princess.”
My eyes widen as I turn and shoot him a look, then I shift, moving to the other side of the bath so I can drink him in. “Hustle.”
He sits up and my eyes dart down to his chest, covered in ink. “Call me that when I’m inside you and you’ll really see me hustle.”
“Ooh, sounds like a promise..”
He leans over and nips my chin, his eyes darting to my lips. I’m reminded yet again about the no-kissing thing. I really don’t get that whole notion. As if sex isn’t intimate enough. “That smart mouth is what got you into trouble the first time.”
“And I affirm; I regret nothing.”
His lips twitch and I know he’s fighting a smile.
We’re well suited in a lot of ways. We both have our careers and live our lives how we like it.
We don’t like complications, nor do we engage in drama.
And we both agree on being tied down. So really, this is the most perfect scenario either of us could come up with.
“So, we’re an exclusive non-thing?” he echoes my earlier words.
“That’s less complicated than putting labels on ourselves.”
“That idiot must’ve really done a number on you. Is that why you shy away from relationships?”
“Like I said before. Me and my ex didn’t gel, and I let it go on for longer than it should have. You and I have a connection, whether we like it or not, it’s there. That’s how I know this is different. In a non-commital kind of way.”
“Right. You know you can get lucky any time you like with the local bartender who won’t ask any questions, nor give you grief about why.”
“See, perfect scenario.” I pause. “So, what happens at the club?”
“Meanin’?”
“Well, I mean, what if one of the guys approaches me?” Of course, I’ll tell them to take a hike, but I want to hear what he has to say.
“I don’t like other men lookin’ at you.”
I’m stunned by his words. So stunned, it seems to take me a second to gather myself. “Why’s that?” I force the words out.
“When you’re sleepin’ with me, you’re with me.”
“So they can look but can’t touch.” It isn’t a question.
“No, they can’t look.” He pauses. “Has anyone approached you lately?” I’m in two minds to tell him about Rip, but just as I think better of it, he adds, “Any of those fuckin’ prospects?”
“Only Rip,” I admit. “But he’s at least ten years younger than me, and a little wet behind the ears.”
He reaches for me, pulling me into his lap, his arms tighten around me. Ah, so is my dark horse a little possessive?
I’ve never slept with multiple men at once, and don’t intend to, but toying with him is kinda fun.
“Rip?”
“You asked.”
“That little fucker.”
“He grabbed his junk and told me I didn’t know what I was missing.” I laugh in a fit of giggles because it really was that ridiculous.
“He didn’t say that, did he?”
“Yeah, he freaking did. Asshole. Someone has to give that kid some etiquette lessons if he even thinks that line is gonna work.”
“Not gonna be you,” he mutters.
Logan is possessive.
I smile to myself. “Any other rules?”
“Didn’t say we had rules.”
“But you don’t want other men approaching me or looking at me.”
“Because you’re with me.”
“They just can’t know it.”
“They can know, in fact, it might be better they do,” he says, his voice like ice. “May have to teach Rip a lesson about respectin’ his elders, and a club sister.”
I like being called a club sister. Of course, it’s by association only, but it still warms my heart.
“He was just joking around.”
“He can joke around on the end of my fuckin’ fist collidin’ with his nose,” he grumbles.
I bite down on my lip. This is a fun conversation. “Wait, are you jealous?”
“Of that little shit?” he snorts. “Hardly.”
“Hmm, I don’t know, it sounds suspicious to me.”
“How about you don’t worry about what I’m gonna do to Rip for even speakin’ to you. He knows the rules.”
“Can’t blame a guy for trying,” I muse. I am a bitch, I admit it, but I do like this little game we’re playing.
“Can when he’s dog shit. Shouldn’t be speakin’ like that, or touchin’ himself around you, or any female in the clubhouse.”
“Calm down, he was just trying his luck. What about you, all those sweet butts trying to hit on you whenever you show up.”
“Had my fair share, but that was a long time ago.”
I screw my nose up at the idea. “Too busy for complications like needy women?”
“Yes.”
I like him admitting that. One thing I’m definitely not is needy, and I don’t intend to ever be that way. I might have whined for Logan’s cock earlier, but that’s different. It was the heat of the moment.
“Plus, they do get around,” I add.
His chest rumbles with a chuckle. “Now who’s gettin’ jealous?”
“Jealousy is stupid for two people who aren’t a thing,” I point out. “Ridiclous even.”
I can’t wait to see what happens at the clubhouse next time I get accosted.
We might even see some fists flying. Not that I want to instigate a fight, but Logan is contradictory.
We’re nothing, yet he doesn’t like other men looking at me.
Am I reading too much into this, or does that sound a little backwards?
Still, I don’t question it because this arrangement suits me just fine. We both get what we want, no strings attached. Plus, I get this big hulk of a man defending my honor if and when I need it.
Poor Rip. I’m sure he didn’t mean anything by it, but like Logan said, he knows the rules.
“We’ll see about that,” I’m sure I hear him mutter.
And that’s it for conversation. It’s nice. Relaxing in his arms without any expectation, and when the water starts to cool, he wraps me up in a fluffy towel, then hands me one of his t-shirts.
Hmm. Looks like I might be staying over after all.
I broke rule number one without even blinking.
God help me if I really am going to keep any feelings I may have surfacing in check. It won’t do.
This is a casual arrangement between two consenting adults, and if people want to speculate they can go right ahead.
Right now? I’m going to rest my head on Logan’s pillow and try and get some shut-eye. The snuggly looking comforter on his huge bed is just too enticing, and I don’t even have my car here.
Just this once, I tell myself. There won’t be a next time.