Chapter 14 Scarlett
SCARLETT
“So, these rules,” Jace said, trailing his fingers through my hair as I lay on his chest, our skin still sticky from what had to be record-breaking sex. “What are they?”
“Well,” I mused, fighting the urge to purr like a cat under his touch, “this’ll be two days of fun, no strings attached. Right?”
Because why not? I’d decided. Sex with Jace hadn’t just been the best in my life; it made every other experience seem like an instructional manual by comparison. Besides, I had no plans this weekend. And this was far better than laundry, let me tell you.
“Mmhmm,” he answered.
“So, rule number one: After Sunday night, we never talk again.”
“Ouch. Is my company that abysmal?” His fingers never stopped their hypnotic movement across my scalp.
“I want to be crystal clear about expectations.” I forced myself to focus.
“This weekend isn’t going to turn into anything.
I don’t do relationships, and even if I did, now isn’t the time.
My career needs my full attention. There’s stuff going on that I need to handle, so I can’t afford any distractions right now. ”
Jace’s eyebrows rose, his lips curling into that dangerous half smile. “That’s some impressively firm honesty. And clear goal setting. So, this is a non-relationship agreement then?”
“Exactly.”
“You don’t do relationships. Can I ask why?”
“No.”
“If we’re never going to see each other again, what does it matter if you tell me your secrets?” His voice held a challenge.
I considered his argument, which was sound.
“Maybe,” I conceded. “But there’s a limit to what I’ll share.”
“And what’s the limit?”
“I don’t know. We’ll figure it out as we go, I guess.”
He kissed the top of my head, and I definitely didn’t melt.
“Okay.”
“Rule number two—”
“How many rules will there be?”
“I’ll figure it out as I go.”
His chest vibrated with a laugh that made my toes curl. “Of course you will.”
“We don’t just have sex.”
“Your Honor, I object to rule number two.”
“Very funny. I mean it. We need nourishment.”
His lips found my jaw. “Certainly. We can order room service.”
“I was thinking more like going out. We have twelve hours ahead of us today alone. We can’t spend all twelve having sex.”
“I respectfully disagree.”
“We can do other things for fun. Plus, I need to go home for clothes.”
“I can buy you a new outfit.”
“What, are you rich?” The words slipped out before I could stop them.
He tensed underneath me, his fingers freezing in my hair.
Shit. I’d clearly hit a nerve. Now that I thought about it, the signs were everywhere: the luxury hotel suite, the casual offer to buy clothes.
Whatever he did for work, he was successful enough to stay downtown instead of commuting to the suburbs.
But why was money such a sore spot? Most men would flaunt their wealth.
“I just mean buying clothes instead of picking them up seems excessive,” I backpedaled, but his silence spoke volumes.
I propped myself up to look at him. “You know, one of the beauties of this being no strings attached is that I don’t have to overanalyze everything I say.
I clearly hit a nerve, but I have no idea why. ”
His muscles softened slightly.
“Want to tell me why money is such a touchy subject?” I challenged.
“Want to tell me why you don’t do relationships, Trouble?”
“Nope.” I popped the P with extra emphasis. “What I do want is breakfast. And since you’re weird about money, I’ll buy.”
He smirked, and I couldn’t help noticing how his abs clenched as he shifted.
Poor guy. Maybe he was one of those men who wanted to appear wealthy, but was actually buried in debt up to his eyeballs and couldn’t afford anything beyond the appearance of riches. In other words, he was actually broke. That had to be why he was so sensitive to the money question.
“What if we did tell each other everything?” he mused, propping himself on his side. “It could be interesting, sharing things with someone we’ll never see again. This no-strings situation might bring out honesty we wouldn’t share with anyone else.”
I cocked my head. “Why do I get the feeling you have an agenda behind that statement?” That damn smirk again. “Look, we can decide what we share as we go, but here’s the new rule number one, which bumps all others down the list. Don’t fall for me, and I won’t fall for you. Got it?”
“That’s an incredibly important boundary of yours.”
“Iron-clad. Do you agree to the terms or not?”
“You’re an excellent negotiator, Scarlett—”
“No last names.”
Though that was silly, wasn’t it? My last name wasn’t what I was trying to protect. It was my feelings. And my spectacularly messy life.
“Now, come on.” I hopped up, trying not to feel smug about how his eyes tracked my naked form. “Breakfast. On me. Then we’re going on an errand.”
“An errand?” He groaned, running a hand through his already-mussed hair. “This is supposed to be a fun weekend.”
“It’s a fun errand.”
“Those two words don’t belong in the same sentence.”
“Okay, think of it more like a field trip. We’ll have an hour drive to get there.”
“An hour?” The look of horror on his face was almost comical.
“It’s a beautiful day,” I said, snapping open the curtains and gesturing at the cloudless sky. “We could use some fresh air.”
He studied me for a long moment before sighing. “Fine. But we’re taking my bike.”
I blinked. “You have a motorcycle?”
“You find that strange?” There was that amused half smile again.
“You don’t look like the motorcycle type.” You look like the luxury car with a driver type. But maybe your car got repossessed, and you bought a motorcycle in its place.
“Helps clear my head.” He crossed the room to me, planting a kiss on my temple that I absolutely refused to swoon over. “Besides, like you said, it’s a beautiful day for a drive. And I get to feel your arms around my waist the whole time.”
Something warm fluttered in my chest. Dangerous territory, Scarlett.
“I’m wearing heels and a skirt,” I reminded him. “A pencil skirt. I’d have to hitch it up high as hell to fit on the bike, so I’d probably flash the entire city.”
His mouth kicked up. “I’ll give you a pair of sweatpants to wear.” Wouldn’t fit, I’m sure. “We can stop by your place to change.”
Well, I mean … I guess that worked. “Okay …”
“So, where are we going?”
I grinned, already picturing his reaction. “That’s for me to know and you to find out.”
His eyes narrowed. “You’re enjoying this.”
“Immensely.” I started gathering my clothes.
He caught my wrist as I passed, pulling me in for a kiss that made me second-guess ever leaving this hotel room. “But be warned, I have ways of making you talk.”
“Is that a threat or a promise?” I started backing away playfully.
“Both.”
Don’t fall for him, don’t fall for him, don’t fall for him …
“You can take me on your mysterious errand,” he said. “But before we leave, I want one more thing …”