“Why is that?” She sounds entertained.
“Because you remind me of my dad, always telling me what I need to do.”
“And you remind me of mine,” she says, the sadness in her voice evident. “That’s why I’m so worried about you. Look how he ended up, Alex. You are so talented. Most guys would kill to be where you are in your career, but you almost pissed it all away with binge drinking and skanky women. I know you’ve been completely sober. You’re doing great. I’m really proud of you.”
That makes me smile.
“There were times when my parents would get clean for a day or two, only to come home a few days later, whacked out of their minds and sleeping half of the day. I’ve had too much disappointment in my life.”
“I miss you,” I mutter without thinking because it’s true. I miss the smell of her shampoo on my pillow and the way her body feels pressed against mine.
“I hate this…but I miss you, too.”
“Stop fighting it, and let this happen. I won’t speak a word to anyone. I promise. When you’re ready to tell people, we can do it together. Sound fair?”
“Mickey will never approve. It specifically states in our company handbook that employees of DMG cannot fraternize with other employees or clients.”
“We did a lot more than fraternize,” I say, laughing.
“Not funny, Alex,” she huffs. “This is serious. I can lose my job if anyone finds out. Even if Mickey were willing to let it slide, he’d have no choice but to fire me. He has a no-tolerance policy, and if he made an exception for me, no one would respect him.”
“Yeah, but he needs you. We can talk to him together and ask him to change his stupid policy.” This feels a lot like begging, something I normally don’t do when it comes to women. Charlotte is worth it though.
“Don’t you think we’re getting ahead of ourselves, Alex? We haven’t known each other long enough to be so…serious. Let’s just see where this goes and take it from there. If it doesn’t work out, then neither of us will have anything to worry about.”
I’m so annoyed with her attitude that I want to drink, but I won’t. She’s become too important to me to let her down. Charlotte deserves everything I have to offer and more, and she needs me sober. So does my team.
“You were incredible last night, Alex. I caught most of the game while I was working on a new deal. The training is really helping. You looked so much faster off the breakaway than you did last week, and I see that Kane has really taken a liking to you. I’m glad this is working out so well for you because, when I first negotiated the deal, I wasn’t so sure that you would mesh well with the guys.”
“Is that so? And why wouldn’t I get along with the team?”
“Because the old Alex had an ego so big, it could fill an entire room.”
I laugh into the pillow. “He’s still there, sweetheart, trust me, except now, he has this sassy brunette telling him when to eat, sleep, and train. She’s kind of bossy.”
“Someone has to keep you in line, Parker.”
“I like it when she tells me what to do. It’s sexy as fuck.”
She makes a humming sound into the receiver.
I instantly think of sex and the last time we were together, and my dick grows hard beneath my towel. “What are you wearing, baby?”
Charlotte bursts into laughter. “I’m sorry, Alex, but your hand is going to have to do the job for me.”
“Jesus, Charlotte, don’t say shit like that when I’m already hard.”
She snorts. “From what? I didn’t even say anything remotely sexy.”
“You don’t have to. Everything you do is sexy.”
“If you were here, just know that comment would’ve gotten you a nice eye roll. You only have a few more days until we can see each other. Patience is a virtue.”
I grab ahold of my cock and close my eyes. There’s no way I can hang out with the boys later when I’m this fucking horny, and wherever Donovan and Kane go, bunnies follow.
“Will you just yell at me or something?” I breathe into the phone, moving faster. “Tell me what you want me to do to you the next time I see you.”
“Are you…” There’s an awkward pause. “Alex, are you jerking off right now?” When I don’t answer right away, she says, “Oh my God! Parker, you are a dirty boy.”