Chapter 6 #2
“MSL stands for My Silver Lining. It’s a tribute to my grandfather, who happens to be my favorite person on the planet.
He’s just always sort of gotten me, you know?
” I reached for my water and wished it was a glass of wine because I was relaxed and actually having an easy conversation with my fake boyfriend.
“I get that.”
“I wasn’t a particularly easy kid,” I said.
He chuckled. “You don’t say?”
“I was headstrong and always trying to keep up with my older cousins at family events. And when I got frustrated that I couldn’t beat them at tennis or board games or ride on the larger horses that my grandparents kept in the stables because I was much younger and smaller, I would go sulk and sit by Gramps.
He’d tell me that if I looked hard enough, I’d see the silver lining. It became a game for us.” I shrugged.
“Like seeing the positive in a frustrating situation.”
“Correct. So, when I didn’t get to ride Bruno, my grandfather’s stallion, he would remind me that I was the only one who would get to ride and train the pony he’d gotten for me, and she’d grow up knowing me the best. Which is true.
Penelope is the most beautiful horse I’ve ever seen, and she and I have a connection. ”
“She’s your silver lining. I got it.”
“And every piece of jewelry is unique at MSL, and I like to think that there’s something special in each piece for the customer. I work hard on the designs and add custom stones and metals and details to everything I come up with. So the name works.”
“It does.”
“So, tell me what you do. I know you work with numbers. What does that mean?”
His lips turned up in the corners, and I’d never noticed how plump his lips were before now. This man definitely had no problem getting women to fall at his feet. A great reminder that he was the type of man I made a point to avoid.
Even if I was horny as hell lately, this was not the avenue we’d be taking to pleasure town.
Hell, I’d become a pro at pleasuring myself. I did not need to depend on any man for that.
“I’m a financial advisor. So, I assess the financial needs of my clients, provide recommendations like investments and life insurance, and help them build financial wealth.”
“Ahhh… you help the client so the math is mathing.”
He barked out a laugh. “I’ve never said that before, but sure, I guess I do that in a way.”
“When was your last relationship?” I asked, wanting to finish the last question on the list.
“Would you ask someone that on a first date?”
“We aren’t on a first date. They think we’ve been dating for a few months. We’d definitely know this.” I reminded him.
“College was my last serious relationship,” he said, wiping his mouth with his napkin. “But I date often. I enjoy women.”
I rolled my eyes. “You just don’t enjoy them for long periods of time.”
“I’m not opposed to a serious relationship.
I’m not a guy determined to be single.” He shrugged.
“I haven’t been knocked on my ass by anyone, I guess.
I watched it happen to Easton, and I think it’s fucking amazing what he and Henley have.
If I find that, great. If I don’t, I’m pretty content doing what I’m doing for now. ”
He was a straight shooter, that much was clear.
But most playboys liked to say that they’d straighten their act for the right woman. The problem was, it was usually about the challenge, and then they’d lose interest.
I’d learned to think like a man… and I had my own big dick energy.
“Good answer. So, you’ll make sure my family thinks I’ve knocked you on your ass.”
“I can do that.” He winked. “I’m guessing your last relationship was the rock star douchebag?”
“Correct. But I’ve gone on a few dates since, even if Beckett likes to come to town and act like we’re still together. We haven’t been together in over a year, and we never will be.”
“How can you be so sure?” He leaned forward, invading my space.
“Because the night that I broke up with him—” I let out a breath because I didn’t even like talking about Beckett anymore. “Let’s just say, he made it so I’d never look at him the same. That ship has sailed. And I’m not looking to reboard any ships, so to speak. I like being single.”
“Really. You’re not looking for the fairy tale?” he chuckled.
“Hells to the no. I know how to ride my own white horse. I don’t need a man to rescue me. I like my life. I love my company, and at the moment, that’s the only relationship I want to be in.”
“Well, you kind of need me to rescue you, now, don’t you?” he asked.
“I wouldn’t call it rescuing. I would have been fine going by myself and just saying you were sick. You’re the one who got yourself invited.”
“Last question, Wildcat.”
“I thought we were finished, but go ahead.”
“When was the last time you had sex? Really good sex,” he smirked, his dark eyes locked with mine.
He was good. But I was well trained at not being affected.
“You don’t need to know that. It’s a fake relationship.”
“Hey, if you want me in character, I need to know these things about my lady,” he said.
I leaned forward, my lips a breath away from his. “It’s been a while since I’ve been with a man. But I know how to take care of my own needs.”
“Last time you got yourself off?” His voice was gruff now.
We were going to be spending the next few days together. We agreed to get to know one another. This wasn’t really necessary, but I never minded torturing a man.
“About an hour before you arrived, Rafael,” I purred. “How about you?”
“As my fake girlfriend, you should know that I have a very healthy libido.” He shifted the slightest bit in his chair. “Don’t worry yourself with the last time I got myself off; just know that the next time will be about thirty seconds after I leave here.”
And then he pulled back and smiled.
Did it just get hot in here?