Dancer in Lingerie (Lingerie 13)

She shrugged. “Both.”

We went to a restaurant around the corner and sat by the window. I ordered a salad and an iced tea, and Vanessa ordered a sandwich and an extra plate of fries.

“The baby is craving fries, so I’ve been eating them constantly.”

“Again, the baby or you?”

She rolled her eyes and sipped her water. “Let’s stop talking about my cravings and talk about yours. So, who is this guy?”

“His name doesn’t matter.” He would never be anything more than sex, so I wasn’t even going to mention his name to anyone. “But I call him Panty Soaker.”

She clapped her hands together and laughed at the same time. “Wow, this guy sounds like a dream.”

“In bed, yes. But he’s also a huge asshole.”

“Not the worst thing in the world. Griffin was an asshole when we first met.”

I had a feeling our story wouldn’t end up like theirs. “He’s just not my type. He’s not looking for his type either, so it’s fine. There’s this chemistry between us…it’s like an inferno. I didn’t want anything to do with him and told him to disappear, but he offered sex…so I took it. I have no regrets.”

“Is he the best you’ve ever had?”

“Yes.” My answer came out quicker than my next heartbeat. “But I’ll never tell him that.”

“Smart move.” She drank her ice water, the only thing she could drink now that she was in the second trimester of her pregnancy. “Don’t let his ego get any bigger.”

“I don’t think it can get any bigger.”

She laughed again. “You sound like you really hate him. What did this guy do?”

“You know, the usual. A pissing contest. I was on a date with a guy, and he crashed it—chased my date away.”

“Geez, that is a dick move. Were you having a good time?”

“No, not really. That’s how he justifies it. Says I looked bored.”

“Were you bored?” Vanessa countered.

“A bit.”

“Were you gonna see that guy again?”

“No, probably not.”

Vanessa shrugged. “Then maybe he did save you some time.”

I rolled my eyes. “He acted like a dick. We both know it.”

“I won’t refute that,” she said. “But it’s not like you were having dinner with your soul mate or something. What else did he do?”

I didn’t want to tell Vanessa the truth, not because I was afraid she would tell Bones even if I asked her not to. I just didn’t want anyone to know I was sleeping with a criminal. I didn’t want to admit I couldn’t find a nice guy who was also good in a bed, a man I was deeply attracted to. Vanessa wouldn’t judge me since she’d been in a worse situation with Griffin, but I didn’t want to be honest with myself—since I would judge myself. “He’s just not right for me. I’ll leave it at that.”

I was working in the shop when Griffin called me.

“Hey, what’s up?” I tucked the phone between my shoulder and ear while I clipped the thorns off the stems. “I went out with Vanessa yesterday, and she ate an entire basket of fries. Don’t tell her I told you.”

He chuckled slightly. “Good. She needs to eat more.”

“Oh, she’s definitely eating more.” Anytime I was around her, all she wanted to do was eat. Her pregnancy had increased her appetite like crazy. “That baby is gonna come out all cute and fat. What do you want? A boy or girl?”

“It doesn’t matter to me.”

“No preference?” I asked in surprise. “You seem like the kind of guy who wants a boy.”

“If we have a daughter, she’ll look like Vanessa…and I like that idea.”

“Aww,” I said under my breath. “That’s sweet. So, what are you calling for? Just to chitchat?”

“You know I’m not a big talker.”

“Yeah, I picked up on that,” I said with a chuckle.

“Just wanted to make sure Bosco wasn’t bothering you.”

The playful banter between us died away instantly. I stopped clipping the flowers and set the shears on the counter, losing my concentration at the mention of his name. Just a few days ago, he was buried between my legs and we were both shaking because the sex was so magnificent. Maybe he had good sex like that all the time, but I certainly didn’t. I still didn’t know anything about Bosco, but I knew he was a serious opponent. I didn’t want to stir up shit between him and Griffin. “Nope. Haven’t seen him.” I felt bad lying to Griffin like that, but I didn’t want to get him involved. Even if I told him our relationship was consensual, he would probably still flip out. I’d seen him angry before, and I never wanted to see that look again.

“Good. Glad to hear it. Still being safe?”

“Of course.” At least that was true.

“Alright. Just wanted to check. Let me know if you need anything.”

It was sweet that he looked after me the way he did with Vanessa. Since he wasn’t actually my brother, the gesture was even more touching. He wasn’t responsible for my well-being, but that didn’t change anything. He was protective without being overbearing, something my father had never been able to accomplish. “I will.”