18. Guess

CHAPTER 18

GUESS

CHARLIE XCX, BILLIE EILISH

He wants to cuddle after sex, but that will lead to falling asleep or more sex. So I convince him to bring my duffel bag to the bed and show him my toys. His eyes light up at the rope. But when I pulled out the vibrator, dildo, paddle, and collars? This man might be about to cancel our dinner plans and lock the door to the room. He’s more than a little curious; he’s downright eager to try them.

“You can pick one out later, since your company should be here soon.”

“Okay.” He’s still staring at everything, taking it all in. I don’t bother telling him there’s more at home. I’m tempted to make him wear my remote control cock ring so I can fuck with my pet over dinner, but it can wait for another time. He’s holding up a collar when his phone vibrates on the table.

“Jamie. They’re on their way,” he informs me as he tosses his phone aside and kisses along my neck. “Twenty minutes isn’t going to be enough time to use any of this, huh?”

“No, Puppy, it isn’t.”

“Shame. I thought the collar could be a fun place to start.” He slides his hand between my legs. “I can do something else in twenty minutes, though. Like make you come a few times for me.”

“No, Mr. Cooper.” He whines at the name, and I kiss the tip of his nose before crawling out of bed. “We both need to get dressed, and you need to go downstairs and check on dinner. I’m glad I brought spare clothes since someone got my other clothes all wet.”

“Aww, but I like you in my clothes. And I like you all wet.” He scoots over to my side of the bed, throwing his long legs over the side and grabbing my hips. In an instant, I’m jerked forward and between his strong thighs. I want nothing more than to drop to my knees for this man and worship him the way he has me over the last hour. “My clothes are nice and tight on you in all the right ways.”

“Do you say that to all the fat girls you bring home?” He rolls his eyes at me.

“Ren, you’re not?—”

“Oh, no you don’t. I love my body, and I’m just stating facts. I’m not ashamed. Why would I be ashamed of a body that looks this damn good when I’m bouncing on your cock?”

“You’re perfect. You’re fucking immaculate, Ren. I’m gonna tie you up one night and bite the hell out of that ass and those amazing thighs. I’m gonna suck your pretty tits and listen to you whine for my cock. I’ll make you lose yourself the way I lose myself for you. I’ll worship you night after night. Every damn inch of you.”

“Someday I might let you.” I’m trying to keep it light even though my heart pounds so hard it might break through my ribs. He’s flying too damn close to the sun and we’re going to get burned. “Besides, I need an ice pack and some food. Also, I don’t get tied up, you do.”

“Ice pack? Did I hurt you?”

“Only in the best possible way. Don’t worry, I just need a little recovery time.” I palm his half-hard cock, causing his eyes to roll back and a moan to escape those pretty lips of his. “I still have plans for you. Now go on, get dressed and get downstairs before your friends are here.”

His eyes beam with happiness before he cups my face and kisses me hard. “See you downstairs, my queen.”

He pulls on pants and grabs a shirt, giddy from the ideas I’ve put in his head. I shake it off and dig through my bag for the outfit I packed. Instead, I pull out a note and one of the skimpiest dresses I’ve ever seen.

To my lovely, stubborn, Renate-

I found you some different clothes for dinner. Oh, and I won’t be there, because I have a gig. Obvi!! Stop with the stupid excuses and get that dick! But also, give him a chance.

P.S. What is all the stuff in this bag!?! If you don’t fuck Chase, I’m telling mom what’s in here! Mwahahaha! Love you!

P.S.S.- I borrowed a collar. You’re not gonna want it back.

I hold up the dress with a groan. Chase will spend the next several hours begging me to take him upstairs so he can rip this off me. I like a man who begs, but I enjoy wearing clothes that fit more. I hold it up and check the mirror with a sigh. It’s beautiful, but tight.

Fuck it. I’m in a damn mansion; I can wear pretty clothes and pretend to be a princess for a night. Or, for Chase, a queen.

* * *

As I finish pulling up my hair, I stand in front of the giant bathroom mirror and take it all in. The short, baby blue dress hugs every part of my body like a damn glove. The part Dani added—or more accurately, subtracted—has turned the top of the dress into a one sided halter with an open slit across my chest from my shoulder to my waist to show off my boobs. The heels give me an extra four inches, making them fucking delicious. I’m a damn knockout.

That poor man down stairs doesn’t stand a chance when he sees this.

I carry the shoes with me down the stairs, not wanting to fall and kill myself. When I get to the bottom, I stop to put them on and listen in for the right time to make an entrance.

“No, man, why the camera?!” Chase’s voice comes from the kitchen.

“Chase, dude, we’re fucking celebrating. I want to document this!” That’s Jamie’s voice.

“Jamie, don’t be dramatic,” Alexis says teasingly.

“She says to the guy who proposed, piled us all into your boss’s SUV, and took us to Vegas while still in a sling and with broken ribs. Jamie only knows how to be dramatic, Lex.”

“Yeah, and you’re a mellow mushroom, huh, Chase?”

“I get paid for my dramatics!” Chase’s laugh sounds relaxed and happy, and I catch myself smiling as my heart races. “Fine. Oh, Jimmy Jam, can you get me the number for that Mills guy that worked your case?”

“Yeah, sure. Something up?”

“I dunno. I’m getting weird messages and shit lately and I might need someone to check it out. The other day I got some pictures of Cassie and I. I’m getting phone calls at weird hours. It’s right on the edge of freaking me out, so I want Mills and Cyn to talk.”

“Pictures? How?”

“No idea. When I got the gifts, I assumed an ex did it. But that doesn’t add up anymore. Don’t tell Ren, though. I don’t want to worry her.”

“Is that a smart idea? Keeping it from her?”

“I want to talk to Mills first. If he thinks it’s serious, I’ll tell her. I don’t want to freak her out over nothing, you know?”

I figure that’s my cue and let my heels announce me as I walk into the kitchen. Lexi turns first and a huge smile spreads across her face when she sees me. She and my sister work together and became fast friends. She’s been to enough family parties for Mama to consider her a third daughter.

“Shit, you look fucking amazing, Ren! How’s your mom?”

“Ornery as ever,” I answer as we hug, and I do the same with Jamie. I haven’t looked at Chase yet, but I’m sure from the silence he’s been eye fucking since I turned the corner. So when I make eye contact with him and lick my dark red lips, he stares with his mouth wide open. “Chase, don’t burn the food.”

“Food. Yeah,” he replies, but continues to gawk at me. Jamie slips past me, his shoulders shaking with a laugh he’s trying to hold back, and checks the food. The wave of hot hair from the oven hits Chase, bringing him back to reality. “Shit! Yes, the…right.”

Lexi snickers and takes me by the arm. “Come on, let’s leave the men to handle the kitchen and go grab a beer out on the patio.”

“Brilliant idea. Don’t burn the house down, boys!”

The four of us sit out by the pool having drinks and passing a joint around while we wait for dinner to finish. There’s small talk and a little teasing from both Lexi and Jamie directed at Chase, which he dishes back. The dogs run around the pool, chasing and playing fetch. That feeling of belonging comes back again, and I wish I could follow my heart. It’s all I’ve ever wanted, to belong somewhere.

“So, where are you headed next?” Jamie asks, blowing out a lungful of smoke before passing the joint to Lexi. They’ve been holding hands while we talk and it’s adorable.

“I’ve got a TV spot in Atlanta in a couple of days, then I’m back in LA for a bit. Oh, and I uhm, Cyn says I’m going to Cannes.”

“No shit! For that indie flick?”

“Yeah. From what she told me, it’s on fire and everyone has been talking about it. Cyn’s suckered me into an event that’s supposed to be for charity, but it’s nothing but as ass kiss party for a bunch of old Hollywood guys. She says it could end up finding more funding for the release since those guys have deep pockets.” He turns his focus back on me. “I could really use a not-date to go with me in a few weeks. Jamie refuses to go to those. He claims it’s because he’s busy, but secretly he’s scared to wear the dress. I keep trying to explain that I’m the movie star, so I get to wear the suit.”

“Dick,” Jamie flips him off with a laugh.

“That’s a little…public, isn’t it?”

“Shit, yeah. You’re right. Duh. I’m too high to brain right now. Cyn will probably come with me anyhow, or she’ll send one of her people.”

A timer goes off, and Jamie goes to get up, but Chase stops him. “Stay put, chill out. I’ve got this.”

After he disappears, there’s a moment of silence between the three of us until Lexi breaks it. “Ren, what the hell? When did you start dating Chase, and why didn’t anyone tell me?” She laughs. “Did Dani the matchmaker have anything to do with this?”

“Yeah, she set Chase and I up.” Jamie answers before I can. Realizing how that sounds, he laughs. “Wait, not like that. I mean, that’s why she suggested the art class at Ren’s school. Sneaky minx. I thought she’d be here tonight?”

“Well, first off, we’re not dating, but yes, that’s when we met.” I take a drink of some fruity but delicious wine Chase brought out earlier. “Dani is, uhm, she’s at a show. She kind of set me up tonight, too. Telling me she’d be here and not telling me where it was.”

“Wait, you’re not dating?”

“No. Just friends.” I smile, but they’re trying to understand why. “It would never work between us. A-list celebrities don’t date school teachers who like to play with robots.”

“Oh, come on,” Lexi argues. “There have been a few movie stars with us lowly working class types!”

“You sound like Dani,” Jamie chuckles. “And you can’t claim working class anymore, babe. We’re upper class now. Sorry, that’s entirely my fault, but you did marry me.”

“Yeah, when you were still a broke ass artist. And I’d do it all again. Okay, maybe not all of it, but the whole marrying you part, totally. Wait, don’t change the subject!” She glares at me, or that’s what she thinks she’s doing. The face she makes has both Jamie and me giggle.

“Pretty white boys with blue eyes and a smile that outshines the stars like Chase don’t date short, overweight, poor Mexican girls. We’re too spicy for their delicate nature. In another life, maybe, but in this one, we’re doomed.”

“Well,” Jamie says as he goes to stand. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to the kitchen to beat the ever-loving shit out of him for being too fucking pretty. Fucking moron.”

“No! Wait! It’s… it wasn’t his idea. It’s mine. It’s what I want and what we agreed to.” He flops back into his chair and looks dejected. “I have no desire to be wrapped up in that chaotic lifestyle. He’s a wonderful guy, and he deserves someone amazing at his side.”

“You’re amazing! And that dress!” Lexi yells.

“Yeah, Dani changed out the clothes I planned on wearing tonight, too.” I sigh. I have to remember to smack that girl when I get home. “But I live in a tiny bungalow with my mother and sister in East LA. I don’t need the press dangling off our state-of-the-art rusty ass chain-link fence or spooking Mama when she thinks she’s sneaking outside to have a cigarette like we don’t know. The school doesn’t need that either. We’ll have our fun, and after that, who knows?”

“Well, for what it’s worth, I agree with my beautiful wife. You’re fucking stunning,” Jamie replies with a half smile. “I hope you two change your minds, but I get it if you don’t. His life isn’t easy, but ole Pongo over there helps.”

“God, you’re a perfect example of why I don’t wear dresses. She look so fucking good! I would never look that good.”

“Cherry Blossom, you would put me in an early grave if you had that dress on. I mean, hell. I wouldn’t hesitate to bend you over this table right now, even if you were wearing living room curtains from a retirement home.” He takes her hand and kisses each of her knuckles.

For two people who have been through so much, you wouldn’t know anything bad had ever happened to them. The world did them wrong, but they found each other and fought back. Even I’m swooning a little over how they stare at each other. Like no one else in the world exists, just them and the stars.

It’s the same way Chase stares at me.

Shit.

“Okay, you fuckers better be hungry. Come in here and grab a plate.” Chase yells from somewhere in the house.

Every few minutes while we’re eating, Chase’s hand wanders onto my lap, squeezing my thigh. Each time, it gets a little higher. It’s not long before he leans over and whispers in my ear, “You’re killing me in this dress, my queen. I want to rip it off you and fuck you right here on the table.”

I hold my hand over my mouth and giggle. I push his hand off my leg, I reply, “You have guests, Mr. Cooper.”

“I lied before. I like it when you call me that. Especially in that teacher’s voice you use.” He cocks his head to the side. “Besides, they wouldn’t give a shit. They’ll be fucking in the back room before the night’s over. They’re part rabbit.”

“Oh, and you’re not?”

“That’s fair,” he chuckles. “Can I ask you something?”

I nod, a little concerned about his tone.

“How expensive was that dress?”

“I’m not sure. Dani picked it out.” I furrow my brow. “Why?”

His mouth curls into a wicked grin, and now I can guess what’s coming.

“Chase, do not!”

It’s too late, though. He’s hoisting me into the air and making a break for the pool. I yell about my shoes and Lexi catches up in time to pull them off my feet before Chase leaps into the pool with me. I should be livid. If any other man had tried that, I would bury him in the backyard. But when I come up, gasping for air, he’s there, cupping my face and smiling at me. I can’t hold back the laughter, and I wouldn’t want to. The dress was cheap; the makeup wasn’t, but none of that matters. The way he makes me feel, the way he opens my heart to pour his feelings into it, is worth so much more. I’ve spent so much time worried about him falling for me that I didn’t realize I had fallen hard for Chase Cooper.

He pulls my face to his and kisses me with a fierceness I’ve never experienced before. It’s fiery and passionate, with so much meaning behind it. “Too much?” He asks as we float together.

“No,” I whisper timidly.

“Good,” he sighs as our noses brush together. “I thought you’d hate me for that.”