Ruthless Rival

Vanessa: For the orgasms?

Simon: For showing them they didn't want someone like me.

Vanessa: What do they say?

Simon: I work too hard. I'm not emotionally available. I remind them of their fathers.

Vanessa: Really? They admit that?

Simon: Usually.

Vanessa: What do you say?

Simon: What's there to say? I don't know their fathers. I do work hard. I'm not looking to fall in love. They're right. I'm happy they found what they wanted.

Vanessa: Really? You never feel a pang of regret? You sit there, watch them say I do, and you don't think once, that could have been us?

Simon: Us? Never.

Vanessa: You and someone else?

Simon: That was the life I imagined. When I was younger.

Vanessa: Marriage to a Park Avenue Princess? Cute blond kids?

Simon: Blonds again?

Vanessa: What can I say? I see you with a blond.

Simon: I don't.

Vanessa: You imagine your wife?

Simon: I used to?

Vanessa: And?

I'm not answering that. It's not a good idea.

For either of us.

Simon: I don't have a type.

Vanessa: As long as she's hot?

Simon: My exact words, yes.

Vanessa: I got it from Liam.

Simon: You talk to Liam?

Vanessa: No. But it's not for lack of trying on his part.

Simon: He likes to fuck with me.

Vanessa: Younger siblings.

Simon: Try having four.

Shit.

Vanessa: I'm sorry about Bash.

Simon: Don't.

Vanessa: Okay. I won't. I just wanted you to know. Even though you're my ruthless rival, I want your family to be okay.

Simon: My family? Not me.

Vanessa: They're great. You're an asshole.

Simon: I'm not going to argue.

Vanessa: I didn't know him well, but he went out of his way to make me feel comfortable.

Simon: He liked you.

Vanessa: Really?

Simon: He loved beautiful women.

Vanessa: Was that all it was?

No. But it was part of it.

Simon: He was a romantic.

Vanessa: And we're two overly pragmatic realists?

Simon: That's how I saw it.

Vanessa: He saw otherwise?

Simon: He thought I was a cynic. Lying to myself about my true desire for love and connection.

Vanessa: He's the one you promised?

Simon: Yes.

Vanessa: Is that what this is? More of that promise?

Maybe. But not the way she means.

I'm not doing this out of blind obligation.

Simon: No. This is because I want you to come on my face.

Vanessa: Fuck. You unnerve me.

Simon: I know.

Vanessa: You do it on purpose.

Simon: I do.

Vanessa: Why?

Simon: You're a queen. Strong. Regal. Poised. I want to affect you. To see your composure fall.

Vanessa. You can't tell you do?

Simon: Only at certain times.

Vanessa: The times we're discussing.

Simon: Yes.

She's quiet for a minute.

Vanessa: Is it like your other arrangements?

Simon: I don't have a rulebook.

Vanessa: I don't believe that.

Simon: Nothing in writing.

Vanessa: I barely believe that.

Simon: Do you want something in writing?

Vanessa: Maybe. I, Simon Pierce, promise not to lie to or manipulate one, Vanessa Moyer.

Simon: I promise.

Vanessa: The rest?

Simon: Tell me what you want. I'll make it happen.

Vanessa: I want to be monogamous.

Simon: Done.

Vanessa: I want to be honest. No excuses, no lies, no bullshit. I spend all day listening to bullshit.

Simon: The truth is ugly sometimes.

Vanessa: Even so.

Simon: If it's too ugly?

Vanessa: Say that. Say, 'I can't talk about this.' The way you did just now. About your brother. You're Simon Pierce. You know how to say no.

Simon: My favorite word.

Vanessa: Is it really?

Simon: It's up there.

Vanessa: With?

Simon: Fuck.

Vanessa: Fuck. Really?

Simon: Of course. It's efficient, adaptable, powerful.

Vanessa: It reminds you of you.

Simon: It reminds me of you.

Vanessa: Really?

Simon: Yes. Elegant. Dirty. Strong. All at once.

Vanessa: That sounds like a compliment.

Simon: It is.

Vanessa: You're unnerving me again.

Simon: Because I admire you?

Vanessa: Because you say it.

Simon: I do admire you. But that's not why I want to fuck you.

Vanessa: This is not how I thought this conversation would go.

Simon: Me either.

Vanessa: I like no too. It's authoritative.

Simon: Like you.

Vanessa: Compared to anyone else.

Simon: Even compared to me.

Vanessa: We're both in the 99th percentile.

A laugh spills from my lips. She's calling me a bossy bastard. With statistics.

Simon: Is that it? No one else and no bullshit?

Vanessa: No feelings. We can be friends. We can talk. We can eat dinner first. Or eat breakfast in the morning. But it doesn't mean anything.

Simon: You want me to spend the night?

Vanessa: Not necessarily. But I don't want you to leave the moment you're done. There's no shame in paying for it, or taking payment for it, but I'm not a whore, and I don't want to feel like one.

Simon: Did you?

Vanessa: Not exactly.

Simon: That wasn't my intention.

Vanessa: I know.

Simon: I can't stay often. I have to keep an eye on Opal.

Vanessa: She's an adult.

Simon: Even so.

Vanessa: Will you tell her?

Simon: No. She already assumes. And Lee?

Vanessa: She knows.

Simon: Then she knows.

Vanessa: You don't mind?

Simon: It depends what you're saying about me.

Vanessa: It's dick size again.

Simon: It is?

Vanessa: That girl in high school, the one who said you two hooked up, but it didn't fit. You paid her to say that, didn't you?

Simon: How did you know?

Vanessa: Ruthless. Efficient. Exactly like you.